life
noun
1
BAD: The cost of life is very high in London.
GOOD: The cost of living is very high in London.
BAD: During a recession, some people find it difficult to make a life.
GOOD: During a recession, some people find it difficult to make a living.
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Phrases connected with the idea of money end with living (NOT life ): 'Salaries have not kept up with increases in the cost of living.' 'It's difficult to earn/make a living as an actress.' 'Acting is fun, but I wouldn't want to do it for a living.'
2
BAD: Television has taught me a lot about the American life.
GOOD: Television has taught me a lot about the American way of life.
DUBIOUS: This busy type of life allows us no time to sit down and relax.
GOOD: This busy lifestyle allows us no time to sit down and relax.
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way of life = the way that a society, group or person chooses to live: 'I found the British way of life very strange at first.' 'The computer has transformed our whole way of life.'
lifestyle = way of life, especially that of a particular person: 'As a photographer, she has a very hectic lifestyle.'
3
BAD: The life in the countryside is quiet and relaxed.
GOOD: Life in the countryside is quiet and relaxed.
BAD: He didn't enjoy the life in the army at all.
GOOD: He didn't enjoy life in the army at all.
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When lifemeans 'the way of life that is connected with a particular type of situation, group or occupation', it is usually used without the: 'I found city life too stressful.' 'Life in New York is full of excitement.' 'What do you think of married life?'
4
BAD: He was the most attractive man that I had met in my life.
GOOD: He was the most attractive man that I had ever met.
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When a superlative ('most attractive') is followed by a relative clause, use that ... ever ... (NOT that ... in my/her etc life) : 'It was the best holiday we'd ever had.' 'This is the worst film I've ever seen.'
5
BAD: It was one of the happiest days in my life.
GOOD: It was one of the happiest days of my life.
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superlative ('happiest') + noun + of your life (NOT in ): 'She refers to her childhood as the most carefree time of her life.'
Compare: 'One of the most important things in life is good health.'
6
BAD: On Saturday nights there is usually life music at the club.
GOOD: On Saturday nights there is usually live music at the club.
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live = heard or seen while it is actually being played or performed: 'Tonight's live concert comes from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.'
talk
verb
1
BAD: I couldn't talk English in those days.
GOOD: I couldn't speak English in those days.
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speak English/French/Thai etc (NOT talk ): 'Do you speak Italian?' 'I didn't know you could speak Greek.'
2
BAD: I'd like to talk you about a dream I had last night.
GOOD: I'd like to tell you about a dream I had last night.
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When there is something that you want someone to know, you tell them about it: 'She told me about her holiday plans.'
When you have a conversation, you talk (to someone) about something: 'We talked about where we could go at the weekend.'
3
BAD: There's something I'd like to talk you about.
GOOD: There's something I'd like to talk to you about.
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talk to sb (about sth ): 'The manager would like to talk to you when you have a moment.'
4
BAD: I didn't want to talk with him because I was in a hurry.
GOOD: I didn't want to talk to him because I was in a hurry.
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In British English the usual phrase is talk to someone: 'Who were you talking to just now?'
Note that in American English both talk to and talk with are used.
tast
I
verb
1
BAD: During your visit you'll be able to taste some of the local Catalan specialities.
GOOD: During your visit you'll be able to try some of the local Catalan specialities.
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When you taste something, you put a little into your mouth to see what it is like: 'The chef stirred the soup, tasted it, and then added a little salt. When you have something to eat or drink for the first time, you try it. 'I think I'll try the onion soup. What's it like?'
2
See NOTE AT FEEL 2
II
noun
1
BAD: I buy all my family's clothes because my husband has such a poor taste.
GOOD: I buy all my family's clothes because my husband has such poor taste.
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have good/poor/little/no taste (in sth ), (WITHOUT a/an ): 'She certainly has remarkably good taste in clothes.'
2
BAD: We all thought that the joke was of a very bad taste.
GOOD: We all thought that the joke was in very bad taste.
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be in good/poor/bad taste : 'These advertisements are in very bad taste and in my opinion should be banned.'
feel
verb
1
BAD: He is feeling that they have made a big mistake.
GOOD: He feels that they have made a big mistake.
2
BAD: In some places you feel like in a jungle.
GOOD: In some places you feel like you are in a jungle.
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Feel like (and feel as if/though )are followed by a clause: 'I felt as if everyone was staring at me.' (= It seemed as if ...)
3
BAD: I woke up the next day feeling terribly.
GOOD: I woke up the next day feeling terrible.
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Feelis followed by an adjective (NOT an adverb): 'Does anyone feel hungry?' 'We all felt disappointed.'
Other verbs that are followed by an adjective include be, look, seem, smell, sound, taste : 'You look cold.' 'That piano sounds terrible.'
4
See HOW 2
5
BAD: She says that she feels herself trapped in the job.
GOOD: She says that she feels trapped in the job.
how
conjunction
1
BAD: Could you describe how the driver looks like?
GOOD: Could you describe what the driver looks like?
BAD: How is Christmas in France?
GOOD: What is Christmas like in France?
BAD: How do the new shoes feel like?
GOOD: What do the new shoes feel like?
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When you ask for or give a description of someone or something, use what ... like (NOT how ): 'What's your new English teacher like?' 'This drawing gives you an idea of what the new shopping complex will look like.' 'What does it feel like to win an Olympic gold medal?' 'What do the apples taste like?'
2
BAD: I realized how much different everybody's personality is.
GOOD: I realized how different everybody's personality is.
BAD: I just can't tell you how much I'm sorry.
GOOD: I just can't tell you how sorry I am.
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how + adjective/adverb (WITHOUT much ): 'Did you notice how sad he looked?'
3
BAD: How do you think of the hotel?
GOOD: What do you think of the hotel?
BAD: Should I tell him the truth? How do you think?
GOOD: Should I tell him the truth? What do you think?
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When you ask someone for their opinion, use what ... think (NOT how ): 'What do you think of Ann's new car?'
4
BAD: Their decision will depend on how good is your offer.
GOOD: Their decision will depend on how good your offer is.
BAD: Please let me know how much is the postage.
GOOD: Please let me know how much the postage is.
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In a subordinate clause, the subject and verb do NOT change places. Compare: 'How much did she pay for it?' 'Do you know how much she paid for it?'
5
BAD: I must tell you how I was pleased to receive a letter from you.
GOOD: I must tell you how pleased I was to receive a letter from you.
BAD: I keep telling myself how I am lucky to have such wonderful children.
GOOD: I keep telling myself how lucky I am to have such wonderful children.
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how + adjective/adverb + subject + verb: 'I can't describe how sad I felt.' 'How clumsy you are!' 'I was amazed at how fast she was driving.'
6
BAD: We all know how terrible disease AIDS is.
GOOD: We all know what a terrible disease AIDS is.
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what + noun phrase (NOT how ): 'I've been told what a fine chess player you are.' 'What a stupid thing to say!'
however
conjunction
BAD: I don't like shopping however I'll come with you.
GOOD: I don't like shopping but I'll come with you.
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Unlike but, however is an adverb (NOT a conjunction) and is used only in formal styles: 'I was hoping to deal with this matter quickly. However, the situation is more complicated than I thought.' 'The newspapers always carried stories of new advances and glorious victories. In reality, however, the war was not going well.'
See also NEVERTHELESS, THEREFORE
nevertheless
adverb
BAD: I was born and grew up in Switzerland, nevertheless Italy is the country that I have grown to love and where I now live.
GOOD: I was born and grew up in Switzerland. Nevertheless, Italy is the country that I have grown to love and where I now live.
GOOD: I was born and grew up in Switzerland but (nevertheless) Italy is the country that I have grown to love and where I now live.
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See also HOWEVER, THEREFORE
therefore
adverb
1
BAD: She has lived in New York for many years therefore she regards New York as her home.
GOOD: She has lived in New York for many years and (therefore) regards New York as her home.
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Therefore is an adverb (NOT a conjunction). It cannot be used to link clauses.
See also HOWEVER ,NEVERTHELESS
2
DUBIOUS: The child looked lost and therefore I asked him if I could help.
GOOD: The child looked lost and so I asked him if I could help.
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Therefore is used mainly in formal styles: 'Crops have been badly affected by the drought and therefore food will be in short supply.'
In non-formal styles use so : 'It was quite late so I didn't stay long.'
