Say & Don't Say ( lesson 2)

Say & Don't Say ( lesson 2)

Believe in, not to.

Don't say: We believe to God.

Say: We believe in God.

Note: To believe in means to have faith in. To believe (without the in) means to regard something as true: I believe everything he says.

Boast of or about, not for.

Don't say: James boasted for his strength.

Say: James boasted of (or about) his strength.

Careful of, with or about, not for.

Don't say: Elke's very careful for her health.

Say: Elke's very careful of/about her health.

Or: You should be more careful with your money.

Note Take care of' He takes care of his money.

Travel by train, etc., not with the train, etc.

Don't say: He travelled with the train yesterday.

 Say: He travelled by train yesterday.

Note: We say: by train, by boat, by plane, by bike; also, by land, by sea,

by air, by bus; in a bus or on a bus; by car or in a car, by taxi or in a taxi;

on horse-back, on a donkey, on a bicycle; on foot.

Complain about, not for.

Don't say: Annette complained for the weather.

Say: Annette complained about the weather.

Note When talking about illness we use complain of. We say She complained of a sore throat.

Composed of, not from.

Don't soy: Our class is composed from thirty students.

Say: Our class is composed of thirty students.