English grammar: common mistakes

From UniLang Wiki

A collection of mistakes people often make in English:

Usage of "some" and "any"

A common mistake is the usage of "some" in negative sentences. "Some" is generally used in affirmative sentences, whereas "any" is used in negative sentences, or in sentences where the speaker is doubtful of existence.

Affirmative: You have seen something.
Negative:    You haven't seen anything.
Doubtful:    Have you seen anything?
Expecting positive reply: You have seen something, haven't you?

So remember to not use some/somebody/someone/something/somewhere in negative sentences, but any/anybody/anyone/anything/anywhere/.

"too" and "either"

In negative sentences one always uses "either" instead of "too".

"I know it, too."
"I don't know it either".

It is wrong to say "I don't know it, too."

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