August 22

I'm studying an English grammar book.  One unit of the book takes 30 minutes to study.  I am trying to study one or two units every day.  Here are the mistakes I made.  Please discuss. 

Unit 1 - Present Continuous (I am doing)

Complete the sentences using the verbs (get or begin)  Each verb can be used once only.

Question 1.4.3 The situation is already bad and it (get or begin) worse.

My anwer: The situation is already bad and it is beginning worse.   (correct answer: is getting)

RJ tutor's opinion: getting (you have to look at the development in the process)
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Question 1.4.5. The weather (get or begin) to improve.  The rain has stopped, and  the wind isn't as strong.

My anwer: The weather is getting to improve.  (correct answer: is beginning)

RJ tutor's opinion: beginning (you have to at the change in the process)


Unit 2 - Simple Present  (I do) 

Put the verb into the correct form.

Question 2.2.8 David isn't very good shape.  He (not exercise).

My anwer: David isn't very good shape.  He does not do any exercise.

Correct answer: He doesn't exercise.

My mistake: 2.5.4 I apologize what I did.  It won't happen again.

Correct answer:  I apologize for what I did. 

RJ tutor's advice: 
apologize to someone (or indirect object)  / apologize for something that happened


He apologized to his wife and children for losing his temper.
I want to apologize (to you) for what I said. I didn't mean it, and I'm sorry if it hurt your feelings.
We apologize for the mistake and promise that it won't happen again.
She doesn't apologize for her lifestyle. [=she does not believe that her lifestyle is wrong]

Unit 5 - Simple Past (I did)

My mistake:  5.1.5  She started to work at 8:45. 
Correct Answer:  She started work at 8:45.  (the word "work" is noun here.)

My mistake: 5.1.7  She finished her work (or the work) at 5:00. 
Correct Answer: She finished work at 5:00.

My opinion: the word can be used as uncountable noun.

Unit 6 - Past Continuous (I was doing)

My mistake
6.3.1 I saw Sue in town yesterday.  (the word "town" can be used as uncountable noun.)
But she didn't look at me.  She looked the other way. 

Correct answer: She was looking the other way.

RJ tutor's opinion
town [nouncount]:  the business and shopping center of a town
We're heading to town later on.

uptown: the upper part of a city or town : the part of a city or town that is away from the central part — usually singular
We can shop a lot in the downtown area. 

My mistake
6.3.2.  I met Tom and Jane at the airport a few years ago.  They went to Boston and I went to Montreal.  We talked while we were waiting for our flights.

Correct answer:  They were going to Boston and I was going to Montreal.

Unit 7 Present Perfect (I have done)

7.1.5 What's the most beautiful place have you ever visited?

Correct answer:  What's the most beautiful place you have ever visited?

7.3.2 I read a newspaper yesterday, but I haven't read it today.

Correct answer:  I haven't read one today.

7.4.3.  Have you ridden a horse before?
           Have you been on a horse before?

My question:  Please check the follows:

I rode on a bus yesterday. 
I rode on a taxi yesterday.
I rode on a airplane yesterday.

Are the preposition "on" in the sentences correctly used?

My mistake: 7.4.4.  Maria is in Los Angeles.  Have you been to Los Angeles before, Maria? 

Correct answer: Have you been in Los Angeles before, Maria.