Watch and Read
Transcript
English Express Game Show | Common Mistakes with “Advantage”
Host:
Welcome to a new episode from English Express Game Show. Every episode, we’ll meet a new contestant, and we will try together to spot and fix some common mistakes people make when they speak English. Let’s meet our new contestant, and let the games begin.
Welcome to English Express Game show, Grace. Are you ready to spot and fix some common mistakes people make when they use the word ‘advantage’?
Contestant:
I’m ready!
Host:
Well, before we start, let me remind the people who are watching us on YouTube to subscribe to our channel and hit that bell icon if they want to be the first to know whenever we release a new episode. And now without further ado, let’s find some common mistakes with the word, ‘advantage’.
Let’s start with the first sentence for today:
“Although the film has its advantages, it also has a serious flaw.”
Let me repeat that for you:
“Although the film has its advantages, it also has a serious flaw.”
What do you think the problem with this sentence is? Can you spot and fix the mistake, Grace?
Contestant:
Well, obviously the problem is with the word ‘advantage,’ but I’m trying to see if there’s anything wrong grammatically, and I can’t see anything, so I guess it’s the word itself. We can’t use the word advantage in this context.
Host:
Very good! Go on.
Contestant:
I would use ‘good points’ here instead of ‘advantages’.
Host:
Excellent! You’re absolutely right! The problem is not grammatical in this sentence; it has to do with the meaning of the word advantage, and as you said, it doesn’t work in this particular context. You see, advantage means something that puts you in a better position than other people. For example, “A healthier lifestyle is just one of the advantages of living in the country.’ Or, “The main advantage of using word processors is the amount of time you save.” So, when we talk about a film in this context, advantage is not the word we want to use; we could use ‘merit’ or ‘good point’ instead. ‘Merit’ means a good quality or a strength. For example, “The merits of the new health program are gradually being recognized.” Or, “We should judge each application on its own merits.”
So, how do you think we should fix this sentence?
Contestant:
Well, instead of saying, “Although the film has its advantages, it also has a serious flaw”, we should say, “Although the film has its merits, or good points, it also has a serious flaw.
Host:
Excellent! You got the first one right! And now on to the second sentence. Are you ready?
Contestant:
I’m ready!
Host:
All right.
What if we say, “Television provides many advantages.” What’s wrong with that?
Contestant:
Well, again, I can’t see anything wrong grammatically with this sentence, but based on what you explained earlier about the meaning of the word ‘advantage,’ I don’t think it’s the best word to choose in this context. Maybe, we should go with the word ‘benefit’ instead.
Host:
Excellent! Again, the word choice here is the problem and not the grammar. As you said, we’d better use the word ‘benefit’ in this context, because benefit means a good result which improves your life or situation. For example, we can say, “Belonging to a union has a number of important benefits.” Or, “It’s over a month since I got back from holiday, but I still feel the benefit.” Well, you got that right one more time. Now, how would you fix the sentence?
Contestant:
Well, instead of saying, “Television provides many advantages,” we should say, “Television provides many benefits.”
Host:
That’s absolutely right! You’re on fire today. So, are you ready for one final question?
Contestant:
Fire away!
Host:
Alright, our contestant Grace looks like she’s ready to go. So our third and final sentence for today is actually two sentences, but the mistake is kind of the same in both.
What’s wrong with saying, “What are the advantages in studying in the United States?” And “There are many advantages of having your own computer.” What do you think the mistakes here are?
Contestant:
Well, this time, it’s definitely grammar. The problem is with the preposition we used with ‘advantage’.
Host:
Excellent! Go on!
Contestant:
I don’t think I will be able to explain in detail, but I would use ‘on’ instead of ‘in’ in the first sentence, and ‘to’ instead of ‘of’ in the second one.
Host:
You’re absolutely right! Well, the choice of preposition depends on the way we use the word ‘advantage’ in the sentence. If we want to talk about the advantages ‘of’ something or of (doing or having) something, we use ‘of’, not ‘in’. For example, we can say, “He described the advantages of renewing the contract.” Or, “The advantages of independence soon became clear.” However, when the expression goes like, “There are (several or many, etc.) advantages, we use ‘to’ or ‘in’ (doing or having) something. For example, we can say, “There are advantages to working in a supermarket.” Or, “There are clear advantages to such an approach.” Or “Are there any advantages in appointing coordinators?”
So, I hope that explains why we should be using different prepositions in the two sentences we talked about. Now, can you fix the sentences for us Grace?
Contestant:
Sure thing! Well, in the first sentence, we can’t say, “What are the advantages in studying in the United States?” We should say, “What are the advantages of studying in the United States?” instead. And in the second sentence, we should say, “There are many advantages to, or in having your own computer.” Instead of saying, “There are many advantages of having your own computer.”
Host:
Perfect! Congratulations on getting all the answers correctly. I’m so proud of you, Grace.
Contestant:
Thank you, Henry!
Host:
Well, that’s about it for today’s episode of English Express Game Show. For our viewers everywhere, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and hit that bell icon to make sure you are the first to know whenever we release a new video. And if you want to learn more English and practice what you’re learning, visit our website and listen to our podcast, English Plus, on your favorite podcast player. All the links you need are in the description below.
0 Comments