What are Idioms?
A faulty idiom is an expression which, though correct in grammar and general meaning, combines words in a manner contrary to usage.
Idioms are established by custom, and cannot be explained by logical rules.
"I enjoy to read" is wrong, not because the words offend logic or grammar, but merely because people do not instinctively make that combination of words.
"I like to read" and "I enjoy reading" are good idioms.
Faulty Idioms Correct Idioms
in the city Toledo in the city of Toledo
in the year of 1920 in the year 1920
I hope you a good time I wish you a good time
the Rev. Hopkins the Reverend Mr. Hopkins
stay to home stay at home
different than different from
independent from independent of
in search for in search of
remember of remember
Make sure that a verb or adjective is accompanied by the right preposition.
List of correct idioms:
accused of (a theft) accord with (a person)
accused by (a person) agree with (a person)
agree to (a proposal) enamored of
agreeable to entrust to
angry at (a condition) free from
angry with (a person) listen to
careful about (an affair) part from (a person)
careful of (one's money) part with (a thing)
comply with pleased with
convenient to ( a person) resolve on
convenient for (a purpose) sympathize with
correspond to (things) take exception to
correspond with (persons) wait for
dissent from wait on(a customer)
Avoid a compromise between two idioms.
For the idiomatic use of articles, "The United States" not "United States."
