To Keep in Mind For English Usage

To Keep in Mind for English Usage
The Auxiliary ‘Do’
You want to make sure to use the auxiliary verb ‘do’ in many questions, especially as phrases implying
intonation will not work with questions in English. An auxiliary verb is one that precedes another verb
and is known as a helping verb.
For example,
“You have a pen?” This should be: “Do you have a pen?”
“You not eat healthily?” This should be: “You do not eat healthily?”
“You try working on this problem?” This should be: “Did you try working on this problem?”
“You finish problem?” This should be: “Did you finish the problem?”
“Any doubts?” This should be: “Do you have any doubts?”
“‘Characteristics’ mean?” This should be: “What does ‘characteristics’ mean?”
“Have you understand it?” This should be: “Did you understand it?”
Polite Requests
Often, in Hindi, speakers will employ the subjunctive in polite requests. Instead, in English, you will want
to use the Indicative Mood.
For example,
“You will show me your work please?” This should be: “Will you please show me your work?”
“You can do the next step (?)” This should be: “Can you do the next step?”
“You may continue working this out (?)” This should: “Can you continue working this out?”
Definite Article
There is no definite article in Hindi or Urdu. So, many Hindi or Urdu speakers will use ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘one’. In
English, the definite article ‘the’ is used instead. Definite articles are used, in English, when bringing up a
known or already familiar noun. Whereas indefinite articles apply to nouns that are unknown or more
abstract.
For example,
“Is this a question?” This should be: “Is this thequestion?”

“You are close to (an) answer.” This should be: “You are close to the answer.”
“Please refer to (an) example.” This should be: “Please refer to the example.”
“What about negative sign in (one) denominator?” This should be: “What about the negative sign in the
denominator?”
“This is (a) solution.” This should be: “This is the solution.”
“Let me show you an example on board.” This should be: “Let me show you an example on the board.”
“They will have millions of same bacteria.” This should be: “They will have millions of the same
bacteria.”
“You subtract number five from both sides to get sin value.” This should be: “You subtract the number
five from both sides to get the sin value.”
“What is next one?” This should be: “What is the next one?”
“Please write it on whiteboard.” This should be: “Please write it on the whiteboard.”
“I have written it on board.” This should be: “I have written it on the board.”
“Take example of 9.” This should be: “Take the example of 9.”
Indefinite Article
When using an article for a noun that is more abstract, you should use an indefinite article. ‘A’ goes
before nouns beginning with a consonant and ‘an’ goes before nouns beginning with a vowel.
“It is not word problem.” This should be: “It is not a word problem.” (‘Word problem’ is abstract here.
It is referring to a general type of noun.)
“In online tutoring, electronic whiteboard is often used.” This should be: “In online tutoring, an
electronic whiteboard is often used.” (Whereas, again, if you are referring to the whiteboard at hand a
definite article is used. For example, “Please write your problem on the Whiteboard.”)
“It is Physics question.” This should be: “It is a Physics question.” (In comparison, “The question you put
on the board deals with Physics, not Biology.”)
Word Order
In Hindi, the order is: ‘subject – object – verb’. In English, it is: ‘subject – verb – object’.
For example:
“I (him) tutored.” This should be: “I tutored him.”
“I will (it) write on the board.” This should be: “I will write it on the board.”
“Again, I (you) show.” This should be: “Again, I will show you.”
“I (it) have written on the board.” This should be: “I have written it on the board.”
Present Simple Tense rather than the Present Continuous Tense
Generally, the Present Simple tense is used to express things that happen regularly. The Present
Continuous tense is used to express things that are happening in the present moment.
For example,
“I am playing golf on Sundays.” This should be: “I playgolf on Sundays.”
Capitalization
Please make sure to remember to use ‘capitalization’ in English. If you do not use ‘capitals’ at the
beginning of sentences, this will look unprofessional to English speakers.
For example,
“we will work through this together.” This should be: “We will work through this together.”
“please tell me what the difficulty is.” This should be: “Please tell me what the difficulty is.”
“hello. welcome to brainfuse. how may i help you?” This should be: “Hello. Welcome to Brainfuse.
How may I help you?”
“how may i help you?” This should be:“How may I help you?”
**Always capitalize the personal pronoun, ‘I’.
For example,
“i will help you with the problem.” This should be: “I will help you with the problem.”
“Don’t worry, i know how to do this problem.” This should be: “Don’t worry, I know how to do this
problem.”
Vocabulary
There are differences between Indian or British English and American English. Please take the time to
look further into the peculiarities of American English.For example, here are some educational terms
that differ:
Indian English American English
3rd standard 3rd grade
Be a student Take a class

Canteen Cafeteria
College School
Higher Secondary School High School
Marks Grades
Mark Sheet Grade Card
Primary school Elementary school
Private school Public school (free)
Public school Private school (tuition charged)
Secondary School Junior High School
Take a class Teach a class
University School
Unique Phrases
“Welcome.” This should be: “You’re welcome.” Or: “You are welcome.”
“Listen, Dear.” You do not want to call a student ‘Dear’ or ‘Dearie’. These can be disconcerting manner
to an American English speaker as using these terms may imply too much familiarity.

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To Keep in Mind for English Usage

The Auxiliary ‘Do’

“‘Characteristics’ mean?” This should be: “What does ‘characteristics’ mean?”

“Is this a question?” This should be: “Is this thequestion?”

“This is (a) solution.” This should be: “This is the solution.”

“I (him) tutored.” This should be: “I tutored him.”

Present Simple Tense rather than the Present Continuous Tense

“I am playing golf on Sundays.” This should be: “I playgolf on Sundays.”

**Always capitalize the personal pronoun, ‘I’.

Indian English American English

3rd standard 3rd grade

Be a student Take a class

Higher Secondary School High School

Mark Sheet Grade Card

Primary school Elementary school

Private school Public school (free)

Public school Private school (tuition charged)

Secondary School Junior High School

Take a class Teach a class

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