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Common Errors

Affect (verb) ... Effect (noun)

Affect is a verb meaning 'influence', eg
    The fall in productivity will affect our profits this quarter.

Effect is a noun meaning 'result', eg
    The fall in productivity will have an effect on our profits this quarter.

You try:

1. How did the business writing workshop _______ your work performance?
2. What sort of _______ did the business writing workshop have on your work performance?
3. The Managing Director's speech had a great ______ on staff motivation.
4. What ________ will these changes have on workflow in your department?
5. How will the new procedures __________ safety in the company?

Although

What's wrong with this sentence?

Although I asked all staff to return the forms by 12 May, but many of them did not return them on time.

Anytime (adverb) ... Any time (adjective and noun)

You try:

1. They do not have ___________ to think about this matter.
2. Do you have ____________ next week to meet Leslie Lim from STP?
3. I can meet you ___________ you like - when is best for you?

As per

As per means 'in accordance with' and 'following'. This is a cliché that is certainly overworked and old-fashioned. What will you say instead of these boring phrases?

As per your request ...
As per our agreement ...
As per your instructions ...

Bring ... Fetch

Use 'bring' when the person you are talking to is at Point A while you are at Point C, and you want the person to get you something.

If the person you are talking to is at the same point as you, use 'fetch'. The person will then have to go away from you and return to where you are.

You try:

1. Please ________ me the book when you come to class tomorrow.
2. Please ________ me the new book from the library.
3. If you have time will you _______ us both a café latte before the meeting.
4. When Malcolm flies in please ask him to _______ me some wine from duty free.

Every day (adjective and noun) ... Everyday (adverb)

You try:

1. Making your bed is an ______________ chore.
2. I get the MRT to work _______________.
3. _____________ I take my children to school before I go to work.
4. For school children, homework is an ___________ occurrence.

Send ... Take ... Bring

If you send your children to school in the morning, you do not go with them.
If you mean that you drive them to school in the morning, you should use the word take.

Use take when you are going to hand something to someone, eg
    I must take these flowers to Mandy in hospital.

Also use take when you are asking someone to do the delivery, eg
    Please take this form to Accounts Department.

I will bring you out for dinner tonight. I will take you out for dinner tonight.

You try:

1. My flight is at 7 pm today. Will you please _______ me to the airport?
2. When I see you later, will you _______ that book you borrowed last week.
3. I will meet you at the airport tomorrow night, and ______ you to your hotel.
4. Please _______ your report to my e-mail address before the end of this week.
5. I hope you can arrange to ______ me a copy of your new catalogue soon
6. I don't feel well. Will you please _______ me to the doctor's clinic?
7. ________ this with you and pass it to Susan when you meet tomorrow.
8. Let's ________ Richard out to lunch on his birthday next week.

Sometimes (occasionally) ... sometime (at an indefinite time) ... some time (a period of time)

You try:

1. Do you have ____________ tomorrow to talk about the new printer?
2. ___________ it is easy to decide which word to use, but other times it is not.
3. I hope we can meet __________ soon to discuss this.
4. I will give you a call __________ next week.
5. Let me know when you have ______________ free to have a short meeting.

Click here to check the answers.

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