Dr. Grammar says:

“What’s wrong with this sentence? The affects of pollution are quite popular in many developing countries.”

EXPLANATION:

When learning English, there are many words with similar meanings. However, similar means nearly the same!

This means that often some popular common mistakes occur because students don’t realise the difference. This lesson will point out a few of the common mistakes that occur so hopefully you will not make them again.

Effect or affect?

The wrong use of effect and affect is very common with learners of English, and surprisingly, with native speakers too. However, this mistake has quite a quick fix! We just need to look at the word form:

affect = verb

effect = noun

How does this help? Well, if you are writing affect/effect after a subject, we need a verb, if you are writing as a subject or object, we need a noun. Easy!!

For example:

The effects of some poisons can be very serious, and may lead to death.

Some poisons affect people in very serious ways, and can cause death.

Now you try these. Choose affect or effect.

(The answers can be found at the end of this lesson.)

1. I went to the cinema to watch a new movie, and the film …………………. me in a big way. It was so sad! 2. Most people don’t realise that dropping rubbish in the sea has many serious …………………. on marine life.

3. The children …………………. by the storm more than the adults. It is likely that it will take quite a long time for some of them to get over these …………………. as well.

Popular, famous or common?

These three words have quite similar meanings. Generally, they can all mean “a lot of people….”. So what are the differences?

Popular = a lot of people like something

Common = a lot of people do/have/are/etc something

Famous = a lot of people know something

For example:

My Tam is a very popular singer in Vietnam. √

My Tam is a very famous singer in Vietnam. √

My Tam is a very common singer in Vietnam. X

Cancer is a very popular disease. X

Cancer is a very famous disease. √ (Possible, but we are unlikely to say this!)

Cancer is a very common disease. √

My cakes were very popular at the school fete. √

My cakes were very famous at the school fete. X

My cakes were very common at the school fete. X

Now you try these. Choose popular, famous or common.

(The answers can be found at the end of this lesson.)

4. It is quite …………………. to see visitors to HCMC taking a long time to cross the roads due to the heavy traffic. 5. The most …………………. types of film in Vietnam are probably romance and comedy, and romantic comedies too!

6. My teacher is very …………………. In this city because he teaches very well, but he is also very strict, and not many students like him.

Recognise or realise?

Many students use recognise when they actually mean realise. So what is the difference?

Recognise = to know who/what someone/something is when you see/hear them/it

Realise = to understand or become aware of something

For example: I suddenly realised that I had forgotten my dad’s birthday.

= to remember, and become aware that you have forgotten. Recognise would not work in this sentence.

I found an old letter in my room, and recognised my dad’s handwriting.

= I knew my dad had written the letter because I knew his handwriting.

Now you try these. Choose recognise or realise.

(The answers can be found at the end of this lesson.)

7. It took me a long time to …………………. that I had left the house without my trousers on! 8. When I walk around town, loads of people …………………. me since I was on TV.

9. The majority of people who came to my party didn’t …………………. that it was my birthday, so I didn’t get any presents.

So…

The affects of pollution are quite popular in many developing countries. X

The effects of pollution are quite common in many developing countries. √

Answers:

1. I went to the cinema to watch a new movie, and the film affected me in a big way. It was so sad! 2. Most people don’t realise that dropping rubbish in the sea has many serious effects on marine life.

3. The children were affected by the storm more than the adults. It is likely that it will take quite a long time for some of them to get over these effects as well.

4. It is quite common to see visitors to HCMC taking a long time to cross the roads due to the heavy traffic. 5. The most popular types of film in Vietnam are probably romance and comedy, and romantic comedies too!

6. My teacher is very famous in this city because he teaches very well, but he is also very strict, and not many students like him.

7. It took me a long time to realise that I had left the house without my trousers on! 8. When I walk around town, loads of people recognise me since I was on TV.

9. The majority of people who came to my party didn’t realise that it was my birthday, so I didn’t get any presents.

FURTHER PRACTICE:

First, try and write a variety of sentences by yourself using these different words in the correct situation. Then get a friend to check your work. You never know, you might teach them something new as well!

Also, come back next week for another lesson on common mistakes with similar words.

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).