eslHQ Home
User Name Password
Lost Password? | Join eslHQ.com, it's FREE!
View today's posts
Search Extras Help   

Reply
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Unread Feb 6th, 2006, 06:54 pm
eslHQ Member
 
Join Date: Feb 6th, 2006
Posts: 5
monica guiselini is on a distinguished road
Default commit a mistake?

Is it possible to say commit a mistake?

Thanks for your help.

Mônica
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Unread Feb 7th, 2006, 12:18 am
Eric's Avatar
Administrator
 
Join Date: Dec 10th, 2004
Location: Montreal
Age: 49
Posts: 1,224
Eric is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

it's not technically wrong though it isn't used. we usually say:

"commit a crime"
and
"make a mistake"

eric
__________________
ESL Flashcards - Free downloadable flashcards
TEFL Course Review - Find the best TEFL Course
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Unread Feb 12th, 2006, 06:47 pm
TLR TLR is offline
eslHQ Member
 
Join Date: Dec 23rd, 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 15
TLR is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

In novels and magazine articles you might see "commit" used with "error", for example "he committed a grave error" but that's really for dramatic effect!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Unread Mar 21st, 2006, 09:06 am
mrcards's Avatar
www.eslelite.com
 
Join Date: Mar 20th, 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 41
mrcards is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

I'm pretty sure that I've also heard "commit an error", but make a mistake is the norm.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Unread Mar 21st, 2006, 09:07 am
mrcards's Avatar
www.eslelite.com
 
Join Date: Mar 20th, 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 41
mrcards is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

Oh, I just read TLR's comment...ulp...sorry. So, yeah, the main point here (must stay focused) is not to make a mistake.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Unread Mar 21st, 2006, 09:08 am
Eric's Avatar
Administrator
 
Join Date: Dec 10th, 2004
Location: Montreal
Age: 49
Posts: 1,224
Eric is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

i think i've heard "commit an error" too but not a mistake...
__________________
ESL Flashcards - Free downloadable flashcards
TEFL Course Review - Find the best TEFL Course
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Unread Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:02 am
panda
 
Join Date: Apr 20th, 2006
Location: Argentina
Age: 47
Posts: 10
nataliaig is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

mmm... I don't like how it sounds... but I would understand what you mean... it's not grammatically correct but understandable...
Natalia.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Unread Apr 24th, 2006, 11:29 pm
eslHQ superstar!
 
Join Date: Mar 27th, 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 1,693
mesmark is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

I'm going to take a stab at it.

'commit' has the feeling of an offense, harm, or damage done. It also seems wittingly done. Thus, we use it with crime, murder, an offense...

A mistake is generally an accident or and done without malicious intent, generally unwittingly. So, it doesn't go well with commit.

'error' plays both sides of the fense. It can be used for both deliberate and unintentional actions and effects. So, we can use 'commit' with 'error' as well as 'make.'
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Unread Jun 17th, 2006, 04:08 am
eslHQ Member
 
Join Date: Jun 17th, 2006
Posts: 1
NYUKSEL is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

No
Make a mistake
Commit a crime
Reagards
NY
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Unread Jun 17th, 2006, 10:56 am
TLR TLR is offline
eslHQ Member
 
Join Date: Dec 23rd, 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 15
TLR is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

I like your explanation mesmark! Very clear. I'll come to you next time I'm looking for a grammar rule!!
Cheers!
TLR
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Unread Jun 17th, 2006, 10:56 am
TLR TLR is offline
eslHQ Member
 
Join Date: Dec 23rd, 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 15
TLR is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

I like your explanation mesmark! Very clear. I'll come to you next time I'm looking for a grammar rule!!
Cheers!
TLR
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Unread Jun 20th, 2006, 10:48 pm
eslHQ superstar!
 
Join Date: Mar 27th, 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 1,693
mesmark is on a distinguished road
Default Re: commit a mistake?

Quote:
Quote TLR
I like your explanation mesmark! Very clear. I'll come to you next time I'm looking for a grammar rule!!
Cheers!
TLR
Oh no !

It's all fun and games wen you know the answer or can figure it out. It's really frustrating at other times.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Find the Best TEFL, TESL, TESOL & CELTA Certification Courses - User Submitted Ratings & Reviews for Online, Distance & Abroad TEFL Courses. Over 3,500 reviews of 100+ TEFL schools!

Teach English in Thailand - Onsite and Combined TEFL certification courses in Phuket, Thailand.


Free ESL Flashcards




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:01 am.

All materials from this website are for classroom-use only. Digital redistribution of materials, in part or in whole, is strictly forbidden!

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2