I wasn't even there so you can't blame on me.
.................................................. ..........................
I wasn't even there so you can't blame me.
I wasn't even there so you can't blame it on me
.................................................. .................................................. .........
Who is to be blamed about this?
Who is to be blamed for this?
.................................................. .................................................. .....
blame sb (for sth): 'Nobody can blame you for telling the truth.'
blame sth on sblsth: 'Whenever children behave badly, people blame it
on the teachers.'
Compare: 'He always tries to put the blame on me.'

Some people become blind with the disease.
Some people go blind with the disease.
go blind (not become): 'When I couldn't? see anything. I thought I'd gone
blind.'

I'm afraid that we're out of stock but 1 can book one for you.
I'm afraid that we're out of stock but I can order one for you.
book = reserve a seat on a plane, a room in a hotel, a table at a
restaurant, etc: 'The train was packed and I wished I'd booked a seat.'
order = ask for certain goods to be sent to a shop, especially because a
customer wants to buy them: 'If you want to be sure of getting a daily
newspaper, it's best to order one.'

My job at the bank was very bored.
My job at the bank was very boring.

I don't think I'll ever get bored of the book.
I don't think I'll ever get bored with the book.
.................................................. ..................................................
She soon got bored of talking to him.
She soon got bored with talking to him.
.................................................. .................................................. ....
be l get bored with (doing) sth: 'I'm bored with pasta and tomatoes - I
want something different.' 'I got bored with lying on the beach and went
off to explore the town.'

We get very boring with the same food every day.
We get very bored with the same food every day.
.................................................. ........................................
You'll be boring with nothing to do.
You'll be bored with nothing to do.
.................................................. .................................................. ..........
If someone or something is boring &/exciting/frightening/interesting
(-ING), you feel bored l excited frightened/interested (-ED): 'The lecture
was terribly boring. Some of us were so bored that we fell asleep.'

My name is Ali Sariat and I born in Tehran.
My name is Ali Sariat and I was born in Tehran.
.................................................. .................................................. ......
be born: 'Do you realize that a child is born every few seconds.' 'The
baby was born in the middle of the night.' 'It was the first time I'd actually
watched a child being born.'

I have been born in a town just outside Paris.
I was born in a town just outside Paris.
.................................................. .................................................. ....
Use 'I was born', 'They were born', etc (NOT '1 have been born' or 'I am
born'): 'I'll never forget the day when the seven puppies \ were born.'

He was born in a Catholic family.
He was born into a Catholic family. '
be born into a particular type of family, world, etc (NOT in): 'She was
born into a world that was on the brink of war.'

I asked my friend to borrow me Some money.
I asked my friend to lend Me some money.
.................................................. ...........................
% He borrowed me some of his books.
He lent me some of his books.
.................................................. ...................................
I borrowed some of his books.
.................................................. .................................................. .................
When you borrow something (from someone), you are allowed to use it:
'Can I borrow one of your pencils?'
When you lend something (to someone), you let them use it: 'He asked
me to lend him one of my pencils.'

My father is the boss of a small shipping company.
My father is the manager of a small shipping company.
.................................................. .................................................. ..............................
Boss is usually used in informal styles: 'From the way he acts, you'd
think that he was the boss.'

Both of them have not apologized yet.
Neither of them has apologized yet.
.................................................. ....................................
Both the husband and the wife aren't reliable.
Neither the husband nor the wife is reliable.

Anne and John both are scientists.
Anne and John are both scientists.
.................................................. ........................................
Two of the biggest firms are Apple and IBM, which both are in
the computer business.
Two of the biggest firms are Apple and IBM, which are both
in the computer business.

He's gone to buy a fresh bread.
He's gone to buy some fresh bread

The police had to break the door to get in,'
The police had to break down the door to get in.
.................................................. .................................................. ...
In an emergency situation, policemen, firemen, etc break down the
door of a room or building: 'If the door's locked, you'll just have to break it
down

After the breakfast, we went shopping.
After breakfast, we went shopping.
.................................................. ..............................
Before my breakfast I usually go for a run.
Before breakfast I usually go for a run.
.................................................. ................................................
When breakfast lunch dinner etc refer to an event (rather than to the
meal itself), they are used without a/the l my etc: 'What shall we do
after lunch?' 'Pam and Simon have invited us to dinner.' 'What time do
you have breakfast?'
You use a l the l my etc when you refer to the meal itself: 'We enjoyed
the evening, even though the dinner was cold.' 'I don't usually have time
for a cooked breakfast.'

There wasn't enough time to eat breakfast.
'There wasn't enough time to have breakfast.
.................................................. ..................................
While I am taking breakfast, I listen to the radio.
While I am having breakfast, I listen to the radio.
.................................................. .............................................
have (your) breakfast ~lunch dinner (NOT eat/ take): 'We had dinner
in the hotel restaurant.'
have sth for breakfast lunch dinner etc: 'What did you have for lunch?'
Do not use eat unless you wish to emphasize the activity of eating.
Compare: 'We prefer to have dinner in the evening.' 'James always takes
a long time to eat his dinner

Would you like me to bring you home?'
Would you like me to take you home?
.................................................. .........................
( whenever I go sightseeing, (bring my camera with me.
Whenever I go sightseeing, I take my camera with me.

I went back into the house to bring my sunglasses.
I went back into the house to fetch my sunglasses.

Global warming is bringing changes in the weather.
Global warming is bringing about changes in the weather.
.................................................. ....................................
Nuclear power could bring the destruction of our planet.
Nuclear power could bring about the destruction of our
planet.
.................................................. ...........................................
When you mean 'finally cause something to happen or exist', use bring
about: 'These new manufacturing methods brought about an increase in
production.' 'The company's poor performance was brought about by
factors beyond its control.'

Our tourist industry brings a lot of foreign exchange.
Our tourist industry brings in a lot of foreign exchange.
bring in = make or earn (money): 'The job keeps me busy and brings in
a little extra cash

I'm not working now because I'm bringing up my baby.
I'm not working now because I'm looking after my baby.
.................................................. .................................................. ..
bring up a child: 'Our parents brought us up to believe in the power of
truth.'
look after /take care of a baby: 'Who looks after the baby while you're at
work?

I shall never forget the place where I brought up.
I shall never forget the place where I was brought up.
.................................................. .................................................. .......
be brought up (by sb): 'I was brought up to believe that people were
basically kind.'

I would prefer to study in America or British.
I would prefer to study in America or Britain.
.................................................. .......................
The name of the country is Britain (or Great Britain).
British is an adjective: 'British industry', 'British Airways'.

I am learning English at British Council.
(I am learning English at the British Council. (2


the British Council: 'Professor Sinclair's visit was organized by the
British Council.'

The car could not stop because its brakes were broken.
The car could not stop because its brakes were not working.
.................................................. ......................................
% I turned on the radio but it was broken.
I turned on the radio but it wasn't working.
.................................................. .......................
broken = physically damaged: 'a broken windscreen'
not working = not functioning properly: 'I can't ring him because his
phone's not working.'

The best way to see London is to get in a bus.
The best way to see London is to get on a bus.
.................................................. ......................................
I( She said I was in the wrong bus.
She said I was on the wrong bus.
..................................................
be l get on a bus (NOT in): 'During the rush hour, it's quicker to walk than
get on a bus.'

1 often have to go abroad for business.
I often have to go abroad on business.
.................................................. .....................
8 My father is now in Paris on his business.
My father is now in Paris on business.
.................................................. .....................................
(be l go somewhere) on business: 'I'm off to Amsterdam tomorrow, on
business as usual.

I was busy with cooking the dinner.
I was busy cooking the dinner.
.................................................. .........................
be busy doing sth: 'She's busy trying to finish her thesis.'
Compare: 'I was busy with the housework.' 'I was busy doing the
housework.'

He managed to open the lid by a screwdriver.
He managed to open the lid with a screwdriver.
.................................................. ............................................
You do something with a tool, instrument, etc (NOT by): 'He opened the
envelope with a chopstick.' 'You can't eat spaghetti with a spoon.'

1 am staying in a small town by Oxford.
I am staying in a small town near Oxford.
.................................................. .............................
by = next to or very close to something: 'I've been sitting by the phone%ll
morning waiting for her to ring.' 'I'll meet you on the corner, by the bank.'
When talking about the position of towns, cities, countries etc, use near:
'I spent the first month in a little village called Farchant, near Garmen-
Partenkirchen.'

We can gain a lot of knowledge by these books;
We can gain a lot of knowledge from these books.
.................................................. .................................................. ....
You get information from a source: 'You can learn a great deal from a
good dictionary.' 'I obtained their new number from directory inquiries.'

Being locked up is a punishment by itself.
Being locked up is a punishment in itself.
.................................................. ..............
8 Money by itself is of no interest to me.
Money in itself is of no interest to me.
.................................................. ................................
in itself = without anything added: 'His offer to pay for the repairs is in
itself an admission of gui

Can you possibly send me an application form?
Could you possibly send me an application form?
.................................................. ............................................
? I'd be grateful if you can confirm whether you are coming.
I'd be grateful if you could confirm whether you are coming.
.................................................. .................................................. .....
To make a polite request, use could: 'Could you pass the butter,
please?'

The meeting has been cancelled until next Thursday.
The meeting has been postponed until next Thursday.
.................................................. .................................................. ..
cancel = arrange for a planned event not to take place after all: 'Five of
their players were either ill or injured, and so the match had to be
cancelled postpone = arrange for a planned event to take place at a later time or
date: 'We've decided to postpone the wedding until Steve has found a
job.

Her husband died 10 years ago of a lung cancer.
Her husband died 10 years ago of lung cancer.
.................................................. ..........................................
cancer (uncountable) = a type of serious disease: 'It is generally
believed that diet plays an important role in the prevention of cancer.'
'Skin cancer is related to prolonged exposure to sunlight.'
a cancer (countable) = an abnormal growth in someone's body which is
caused by this disease; tumour: 'Some small cancers may be destroyed
by the body's defence mechanisms.'

She is no longer capable to do her job properly.
She is no longer capable of doing her job properly.
.................................................. ................................
able to do sth: 'I hope you'll be able to come.'
capable of doing sth: 'She is quite capable of passing the exam,
provided that she does some work.'

Her blue eyes and long blond hair captured him. .A,
Her blue eyes and long blond hair captivated him. A,'
.................................................. .................................................. ...
capture = make someone a prisoner: 'That day they captured d e b
enemy soldiers.' 'The leader of the resistance group was captured and
executed.'
captivate = strongly attract and impress someone the day she
met him, she was captivated by his charm.'

The only thing they cared for was how to make money.
The only thing they cared about was how to make money.
.................................................. .............................................
It encourages readers to care for what they buy.
It encourages readers to care about what they buy.
.................................................. ..............................
Some criminals simply don't care of being caught.
Some criminals simply don't care about being caught.
.................................................. ........................
They don't take care about religion.
They don't care about religion.
.................................................. ...........................
care for = (1) (formal) like: 'Would you care for another drink?'
(2) = (usually adjectival or passive) look after: 'Don't worry. The child is
being well cared for.'
care (about) = think that something is important: 'I don't care (about)
how much it costs.' 'I don't care about the cost.'

Take care of not catching a cold.
Take care not to catch a cold.
.................................................. .........
You'd better take care of not offending her.
You'd better take care not to offend her.
.................................................. .......................................
Take care of means 'look after': 'Who's going to take care of the dog
while you're away?'
When you mean 'be careful to avoid something', use take care not to or
take care that you don't: 'He took great care not to let anyone know his
intentions

Some women stay at home to take care after the children.,\
Some women stay at home to take care of the children.
.................................................. .................................
The government must take care for the teachers.
The government must take care of the teachers,
.................................................. .....................
Who will take care about the shop?
Who will take care of the shop? 0 F-,
.................................................. .........................
take care of or look after sb l sth: 'After his mother died, there was
nobody to take care of him.'

After ten years as a taxi driver, he decided it was time to change
his career. a\
After ten years as a taxi driver: he decided it was time to
change his job l occupation.

I'd like to be a doctor or something related to that career.
I'd like to be a doctor or something related to that
profession.

I shall now describe how wedding ceremonies are carried out in
Iran.
I shall now describe how wedding ceremonies are
conducted in Iran.
.................................................. ...............................................
conduct/perforrn a ceremony or ritual (NOT carry out): 'The funeral
ceremony was conducted according to ancient traditions.'

I prefer to pay by cash.
.................................................. ........................................
I prefer to pay in cash.
I prefer to pay cash.
pay by cheque, pay by credit card BUT pay in cash or just pay cash:
'If you pay (in) cash, you might get a discount.'

The purse contained about $200 cash.
The purse contained about $200 in cash.
amount of money + in cash: '£550 in cash', '$190 in cash'

I have to catch up all the lessons I missed.
I have to catch up on all the lessons I missed.
.................................................. .......................................
catch up (on/with sth) = do the things that you should have done before
so that your work is up to date: 'Why don't you stay at home tonight and
catch up on some of your homework?'
Compare: 'Don't get too far behind with your homework or you'll never be
able to catch up.'

The cause why I want to change my job isas* follows.
The reason why I want to change my job is as follows.
.................................................. ...........................
For this cause the journey took a long time.
For this reason the journey took a long time.
.................................................. ................................................
cause = an action, event, situation etc ihat makes something happen:
'The cause of the fire is still being investigated.' 'These outbreaks of
violence will continue to occur until the causes have been eliminated.'
reason = something that provides an explanation: 'I'm sure that they
must have good reasons for wanting to live abroad.' 'The reason why
there is only one applicant is that the job wasn't advertised.'

The police wanted to know the cause for the acci

This causes that the children look for affection elsewhere.
This causes the children to look for affection elsewhere.
.................................................. ..............................................
cause sb to do sth (NOT cause that): 'A week-long power failure
caused the whole computer network to shut down.'
.................................................. .......................................
Smoking is one of the most important causes of lung cancer.
Smoking is one of the major causes of lung cancer.
.................................................. ..........................
a major l chief l primary cause (NOT important)
.................................................. ......................
Acid rain is caused by several reasons.
Acid rain has several causes.
.................................................. ....................................
Do not use reason after be caused by: 'The autopsy showed that her
death was caused by liver failure.'

During the flight she sat on the-chair behind me.
During the flight she sat in the seat behind me.
.................................................. ...........
seat = a place to sit, as found in a cinema, train, bus etc: 'To be on the
safe side, you'd better reserve a seat.'
chair = a movable seat for one person: 'Before the children go home,
they have to put all the chairs on top of the desks.