Lesson 12: Common mistakes

You know the basics now. This last lesson is about traps. Many French speakers fall into the same ones. Here are the most common, with the fix.

Words that look the same

Some English words look like French words but have another meaning. They are called false friends. Here are five:

• “Actually” means “in fact”. For “actuellement”, say “currently”.
• “Library” is a place where you borrow books. A shop that sells books is a “bookshop”.
• “Sensible” means “showing good sense”, not “sensitive”.
• “Eventually” means “in the end”, not “maybe”.
• “Assist” means “help”. To go to an event, say “attend”.

Grammar traps

• Say “I agree”, not “I am agree”. “Agree” is a verb.
• Say “I am 30”, not “I have 30 years”. We use “be” for age.
• Say “information” and “advice”, with no -s. You cannot count them. Say “some information” and “a piece of advice”.
• Say “life is hard”, not “the life is hard”. When we talk about things in general, we use no “the”.
• Say “he works”, with the -s. Do not forget the little tail from lesson 3.

Try it

Find the mistake and fix it:

1. I am agree with you.
2. She has 20 years.
3. I need some informations.

The answers are: I agree with you. She is 20. I need some information.

One last habit

The best help is simple. Read a little and listen a little every day. Make mistakes. Every mistake teaches you something.

Thank you for following English made easy. Come back to any lesson when you need it.