Common Czenglish Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Group 1: Verb (+ preposition)

Czenglish EnglishI go to work with my car. I go to work by car.In 1995, I got married with my wife. In 1995, I married my wife.I telephoned to him. I (tele)phoned him.I like listening music. I like listening to music.I meet with my friends every Friday. I meet my friends every Friday.I bought a present to my friend. I bought a present for my friend.I waited on her in front of the cinema. I waited for her in front of the cinema.I discussed about it with her. I discussed it with her.I came on the hotel at 6p.m. I got to the hotel at 6p.m.

Group 2: Other prepositions

Czenglish EnglishI like watching films in the TV. I like watching films on the TV.I heard the news in the radio. I heard the news on the radio.I go on the cottage every weekend. I go to my cottage every weekend.I studied French on university. I studied French at university.I went skiing on the mountains. I went skiing in the mountains.I got lost in the mountain. I got lost on the mountain.I went to the cinema in the weekend. I went to the cinema at the weekend.I was on an action for teachers yesterday.

I was at an event for teachers yesterday.

Group 3: Vocabulary

Czenglish EnglishThe news is actual. The news is up-to-date.I like walking in the nature. I like walking in the country(side).My father was wearing nice dress. My father was wearing nice clothes.I have a good work. I have a good job.I bought this bag in an action. I bought this bag in a sale.It was a big action organised by my company.

It was a big event organised by my company.

I took my recipe to the chemist to get some medicine.

I took my receipt to the chemist to get some medicine.

I know a very good cake receipt. I know a very good cake recipe.

Group 4: How/What (+ question grammar)

Czenglish EnglishHow is he like? What is he like?How it looks like? What does it look like?

By Sandy Millin

Common Czenglish Mistakes and How to Correct Them

What means ‘immediately’? What does immediately mean?What’s your family? How’s your family?Can you tell me the way how to get to Brno?

Can you tell me how to get to Brno?

The way how to solve this problem is by asking for help.

The way to solve this problem is by asking for help.

Group 5: Phrases

Czenglish EnglishIt’s quite OK. It’s quite alright. / It’s not bad.A: Is it going to rain tomorrow?B: I think yes.

A: Is it going to rain tomorrow?B: I think so.

It can be. It’s possible.I have a very good mood today. I am in a very good mood today.Can I have a question? Can I ask a question?I have 30 years. I’m 30 (years old).I have birthday on the 1st March. My birthday is on the 1st March.

Group 6: Pronunciation

Word Czenglish Englishearly /’ɪə.li/ /’ɜ:.li/accept /æ’sept/ /ə’ksept/success /sʌ’ses/ /sʌ’kses/target /’ta:.dʒɪt/ /’ta:.gɪt/hotel /’hɒ.tel/ /həʊ’tel/comfortable /kʌm.fɔ:’teɪ.bl/ /’kʌmp.fə.tə.bl/ski /skai/ /ski:/

By Sandy Millin