eng8-u4-mistake-detector· UNIT 4. MANNERS AND RULES· ~20 min

Unit 4 Mistake Detector: Vocabulary and grammar corrections

Check collocations, word forms, modal meanings, and be expressions before editing.

A mistake detector checks both meaning and form. Some errors use the wrong collocation or word class, such as public traffic instead of public transport or hearing lose instead of hearing loss. Grammar errors may confuse no obligation with prohibition, omit part of be due to, or place can after will. A highlighted phrase is only a place to inspect; it may already be correct, as in break a bad habit. Decide what the sentence must mean, then check the structure that expresses that meaning.

Key terms

collocation — A combination of words normally used together, such as public transport.
no obligation — The action is not necessary; this lesson expresses it with don’t have to.
prohibition — The action is forbidden; this lesson expresses it with mustn’t or cannot.
future ability — Something a person will have the ability to do, expressed with will be able to.
Diagnosis before correction
CheckQuestionExample correction
CollocationDo these words normally go together?public traffic → public transport
Word classDoes the blank need a noun, adjective, or verb?hearing lose → hearing loss
Modal meaningIs the action unnecessary or forbidden?don’t have to / mustn’t
Be expressionIs the idea imminent, scheduled, or ability?about to / due to / able to
✎Meaning selects the modal
  1. 1Context: The rule forbids taking a photo.
  2. 2Meaning: The action is prohibited, not merely unnecessary.
  3. 3Correction: Use ‘You mustn’t take a photo.’
✎Future ability after will
  1. 1Draft: ‘After the course, I will can use the tool.’
  2. 2Diagnosis: Can cannot follow the modal will.
  3. 3Correction: Write ‘I will be able to use the tool.’
🚫Highlighting is not a verdict

A highlighted word or phrase may be correct; inspect it before changing it.

💡Allow valid variants

On one hand and on the one hand are both used; do not invent an error when both forms are valid.

⚠️Check the intended meaning

Check whether the sentence describes an obligation, a prohibition, or an action that is not necessary.

Rules

  1. 1Check the whole phrase for established collocations such as table manners, public transport, and hearing loss.
  2. 2Check the required word class: disrespectful is an adjective, while loss is a noun.
  3. 3Use don’t have to for no obligation and mustn’t or cannot for prohibition.
  4. 4Use was about to plus a base verb for an action that was imminent in the past; the surrounding context may show that it was interrupted.
  5. 5Use be due to plus a base verb for an expected or planned time.
  6. 6Use will be able to plus a base verb for future ability; do not combine will and can.
  7. 7Do not change a highlighted phrase until context and grammar show an actual error.

Practice

4 easy · 4 medium · 4 hard

Up to 10 random questions per test

EasyMediumHardMixed