Common mistakes Year 3

1. Choose the correct word:

• The two companies are in competing/competitive markets.

• • a) competing

• • b) competitive

Answer explanation

Explanation: "Competitive" refers to markets where companies are rivals, while "competing" refers to the action of participating in competition. "Competitive" is the correct adjective here to describe the type of market.

2. He is looking for formation/training in digital marketing.

• • a) formation

• • b) training

Answer explanation

Explanation: "Training" refers to skill development in English, while "formation" is used in French for educational courses or training.

• • She is currently/actually working on the new project.
    (The focus is on the present moment.)

• • a) currently

• • b) actually

Answer explanation

Explanation: If the focus is on the present moment or action, "currently" is the most appropriate choice. "Actually" would be used if you were trying to emphasize or clarify something unexpected or surprising.

4. Choose the correct preposition:

• I have been living here since/for five years.

  
  

• • a) since

• • b) for

Answer explanation

Explanation: “Since” is used with a specific point in time, while “for” is used with a period of time (e.g., five years).

5. Choose the correct preposition:

• She has been working at/to the company for three years.

  
  

• • a) at

• • b) to

Answer explanation

Explanation: Use "at" when referring to a place of work. “To” is incorrect in this context.

6. Which sentence is correct?

• • a) I have been in London last year.

• • b) I went to London last year.

Answer explanation

Explanation: Use the past simple "went" when referring to a specific event or time in the past.

• The situation is becoming more complicate/complicated due to poor communication.

  
  

• • a) complicate

• • b) complicated

Answer explanation

Explanation: "Complicated" is the correct adjective here, describing the state of the situation. "Complicate" is a verb and does not fit grammatically in this context.

• I am interested in/with learning new skills.

  
  

• • a) in

• • b) with

Answer explanation

Explanation: We use "interested in" when referring to something that attracts curiosity or attention.

• By the time she arrived, we had already finished/finished our meeting.

  
  

• • a) had already finished

• • b) finished

Answer explanation

Explanation: The past perfect tense (“had already finished”) is used to show that an action was completed before another action in the past.

• wish I was/were on holiday.

  
  

• • a) was

• • b) were

Answer explanation

Explanation: The subjunctive mood is used here, as "were" is used for hypothetical or unreal situations ("I wish I were").