260 English Grammar Demystifi ed
Correct: You should eat less meat.This sentence is correct because meat is uncountable.have versus of
Incorrect: I never would of thought that he’d behave like that.
Use would have.Correct: I never would have/would’ve thought that he’d succeed.Use should and could correctly.Incorrect: He should of come with me.Correct: He should have/should’ve come with me.Incorrect: She could of had any job she wanted.Correct: She could have had any job she wanted.double negative
Incorrect: I’m not speaking to nobody at this party!Since not is a negative, you cannot use nobody in this sentence.Correct: I’m not speaking to anybody at this party!went versus gone
Incorrect: I should have went to work yesterday.The correct form is shouldhave past participle (review Chapter 3 if you
have any problem with this concept).Correct: I should have gone to work yesterday.awful (terrible) versus very (extremely)
Correct: His speech was awful.Correct: His voice was very weak.Incorrect: His voice was awful weak.Correct: His voice was awfully weak.