Written by Gabriela Estrada

Pay to "exist"? Yes! A real signage error asked Vancouver drivers to pay before "existing" instead of "exiting." It sounds like an existentialist joke, but it's a real and common mistake!

In this blog, I will give you a list of mistakes that may seem funny, but you should avoid. Read with me until the end and learn how to distinguish essential vocabulary that will allow you to adapt to daily life in Canadian cities, such as Vancouver, where mastering English is essential. 

Vancouver: the classroom that takes you to street English

While the English you learn in the classroom gives you the structure, street English gives you the real guidelines for usage, but you mustn't neglect grammar or you'll make linguistic mistakes that will damage your level.

Walking down Robson Street or looking for parking near the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) exposes you to a mix of formal signs combined with Canadian slang and funny mistakes! that serve as a reference to avoid them.

The Canadian is is the language people use in casual conversations on the streets. These expressions are correct, but they can confuse you if you take them literally!

Signaling error: EXISTING vs. EXITING

You could see this error in any underground parking lot near Gastown or Simon Fraser University (SFU).

Instead of “exitig", "existing". Incorrect notice: Please pay before leaving the parking lot.

What it would say in Spanish: "Please pay before using parking." (It doesn't make sense!).

To spot the error: note that the correct word is EXITING (to leave/exit). 

The incorrect amount: ALOT vs. A LOT

This ruling is common in Community Board or on offer posters near Vancouver Community College (VCC).

The word ALOT does not exist opposite the phrase we use to indicate a large quantity.

The error on the street could be on a store sign or a community board notice. Community Board that says: We need a lot of volunteers.

ALOT is not a registered word. The form "A LOT" is always two words and means "a lot" or "a large amount." If you see ALOT together, you know that the writer made a mistake.

Incorrect use of the double 'O': LOSE vs. LOOSE

How attentive are you to safety warnings in stores or parking lots? If you have confused "loose" with "lose", you might think they are asking you to let go of your ticket instead of warning you that you lose! 

Two words that look almost the same, but one describes and the other warns you about an action.

You will find the mistake on the street on a warning sign that says: Don't lose your tickets!(when it means lose).

What I would say incorrectly in Spanish: "I won't let go of your tickets!" (The part of the sentence is incoherent).

LOSE (with an 'o') is a verb (action) and means: to lose.

On the other hand, LOOSE (with a double 'o') is an adjective (description) that means: loose/loose.

Remember: If you only have one 'o', you have something to lose.

Notice on the parking lot gate

Read and identify the incorrect word and replace it with the correct form.

"ATTENTION: Due to recent incidents, we have observed a lot debris near the loading zone. Customers must ensure they do not lose their parking tickets, as there is a lot security personnel checking. Please drive carefully when existing the ramp. Thank you for your cooperation."

Were you able to understand the text and recognize the incorrect/correct words? If so, your level of everyday English is between B1 and B2.

If you feel unsure, it's time to level up and quickly advance in your writing and reading with a cultural focus.

Learn languages with Planeta Immiland Education

At Planeta Immiland, we are the first language school with immigration purposes for Canada. Our approach allows you to gain fluency and adapt to the country's linguistic environment. We offer courses from beginner to the most advanced level.

If you want to measure your language level, click on the free test and discover the course that's right for you. The results are immediate and will tell you what level you can start at. 

Discover our English and French programs at: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/

I hope this topic helps you spot mistakes and master English on the streets of Vancouver and throughout Canada.

Thanks for reading. Don't miss our next blog post on Canadian slang !

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education