Common mistake Choosing the right word
Word forms (economic or economical)
Word form mistakes: economic or economical?
The right word family but the wrong form, or two look-alike words mixed up (for example "economic" for "economical", "effect" for "affect", "mean" for "means", "the develop of", "a success person", "it is benefit"). In short: Use a noun after a, the or of (the development of), an adjective before a noun (a successful plan), and an adverb with a verb (grow quickly).
This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.
The rule for word form mistakes
Use a noun after a, the or of (the development of), an adjective before a noun (a successful plan), and an adverb with a verb (grow quickly).
Pattern: After a, the or of: a noun (the development of). Before a noun: an adjective (a successful plan). With a verb: an adverb (grow quickly).
Used correctly: the correct form of a word whose family learners often mix up (for example "economical cars", "the development of", "a successful person", "it is beneficial").
Use this when an idea has a word family: a noun, a verb, an adjective and an adverb. The word's job in the sentence decides its form.
Word form mistakes: wrong and right examples
-
Wrong The government wants to reduce
the poorin rural areas.Right The government wants to reduce poverty in rural areas.
-
Wrong She spoke very
confidentat the meeting.Right She spoke very confidently at the meeting.
More right sentences
- The development of the city took ten years.
- She is a successful lawyer.
- Exercise is beneficial for older people.
Traps to avoid with word form mistakes
- Some pairs mean different things: economic (about the economy) and economical (cheap to run).
- Not "it is benefit": benefit is a noun or a verb; the adjective is beneficial.