Explaining incorrectness

Hi teachers!

I'm about to embark on my tesol career by taking an initial course in June.
While I have an intuitive understanding of grammar, it is something else to explain it to others!

Here are a few sentences I am trying to explain what is wrong with them and, most importantly, why. (using grammar terminology)

1. I go often to the cinema
A: adverbs of frequency should go before the main verb (correct?)

2. I'm often eating beef.

3. I can't attend the party because I will go on holiday.

4. I'm afraid I forgot my assignment at work.

5. I've been to the library on Monday.

Much appreciated. :)

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Mon

Hi teachers!

I'm about to embark on my tesol career by taking an initial course in June.
While I have an intuitive understanding of grammar, it is something else to explain it to others!

Here are a few sentences I am trying to explain what is wrong with them and, most importantly, why. (using grammar terminology)

1. I go often to the cinema
A: adverbs of frequency should go before the main verb (correct?)

That is correct. Adverbs of frequency usually precede the main verb.

2. I'm often eating beef.

This one uses a progressive verb structure for a habitual action, which is not usually done.

I often eat beef.

3. I can't attend the party because I will go on holiday.

The verb in the because clause should be a stative verb, not an action verb. It is her anticipated state at the time that precludes her attendence -- "because I will be on holiday".

4. I'm afraid I forgot my assignment at work.

This is very common usage, but it is still considered incorrect by some. This sentence doesn't actually tell us where the assignment is. It tells us where the speaker was when he/she forgot about the assignment. This should be "left my assignment at work".

5. I've been to the library on Monday.

We don't use the present perfect for actions that were completed at a specific time. "I went to the library on Monday" or "I was at/in the library on Monday".

Thanks Mike. That really helps. I can now try to summarise in grammatical language what you've said. It has given me a foundation to work from.

MUCH appreciated! :D

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Mon

Thanks Mike. That really helps. I can now try to summarise in grammatical language what you've said. It has given me a foundation to work from.

MUCH appreciated! :D

You're welcome. :wink: