"Non-native English speakers often mix expressions. Here's how you can avoid that."
When there is more than one way to say something, Non-native English speakers will often combine both phrases into one. For example, instead of saying parking lot (US) or car park (UK), they say car parking. This happens because they have not yet fully mastered either expression. When introducing or correcting and an expression, I like to introduce more than one option for two reasons:
1. Non-native speakers will be able to choose the phrase they will most likely remember.
2. Even if they may not easily recall the other option, when they do hear it again, they will
be able to recognize it.
However, I strongly encourage them to pick one phrase and stick with it and forget about the others. For years. And years. And years. And so to you I say, there are many ways to say something, know that they exist, but choose the one you will remember and stick with it.
October 28, 2020
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