What common mistakes do native speakers make?

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paco2004

#88861 Mon, 11 Apr 05 01:59 PM

Hello Abbie

The tendency you are talking is the same here in Japan. Our kids are taught a lot about English grammar but very little about Japanese grammar.

But as far as I know through google surveys, British people are writing English the way closer to the English I was taught in school, though it might be an evidence that Americans are more active in innovating English grammar.

paco

paco2004

Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004

Senior Member (4,095)

In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

British people, English grammar, Grammar

abbie1948

#88905 Mon, 11 Apr 05 03:04 PM

"by the seat of your pants"

This means that you are doing something from your own experience, or your own judgement, or even making it up as you go along.

I think it probably comes from the early days of flying, and perhaps refers to the lack of instruments in early planes, when pilots had to "feel" how the plane was flying.

abbie1948

Joined on Thu, Mar 24 2005

England

Senior Member (2,657)

Hope that helps. Abbie

MrPedantic

#88914 Mon, 11 Apr 05 03:29 PM

The seat of one's pants is often a very good indicator that something is amiss.

MrP

MrPedantic

Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004

Veteran Member (12,144)

...opella forensis / adducit febris...

khoff

#88944 Mon, 11 Apr 05 04:49 PM

Here's another idiom similar in meaning to "by the seat of my pants" (and you're right, it can't be by the seat of your trousers, shorts, or anything else) -- "off the top of my head." This means an initial reaction, without a lot of analysis or research. -khoff