§ Common Mistakes with "Mortgage"
The word "mortgage" can be a bit tricky, especially for English learners. Here, we'll look at some of the most common mistakes people make when using this important financial term.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing "mortgage" with "rent" or "loan" in general
Many beginners might mix up "mortgage" with other forms of payments for housing or general loans. While a mortgage is a type of loan, it's very specific. Rent is money paid to use someone else's property, and a general loan could be for anything from a car to an education. A mortgage is exclusively for buying property, and the property itself acts as security.
- DEFINITION
- A legal agreement where a bank or lender lends money at interest in exchange for taking title of the debtor's property. The property is used as security, meaning the bank can take the house if the money is not paid back.
Incorrect: "I pay a monthly mortgage for my apartment." (If you don't own the apartment, it's rent)
Correct: "We took out a mortgage to buy our new house."
§ Mistake 2: Incorrect verb usage with "mortgage"
People often struggle with which verbs to use with "mortgage." Common correct verbs include "take out a mortgage," "get a mortgage," or "pay a mortgage." Using verbs like "make a mortgage" or "do a mortgage" are generally incorrect.
Take out / Get a mortgage: This means to arrange for and receive a mortgage loan.
Pay a mortgage: This refers to making the regular payments on the mortgage loan.
Incorrect: "They want to make a mortgage for their new office."
Correct: "They are planning to take out a mortgage for their new office."
§ Mistake 3: Misunderstanding the noun and verb forms
"Mortgage" can be both a noun and a verb, which can sometimes lead to confusion. As a noun, it refers to the loan itself. As a verb, it means to pledge property as security for a loan.
Noun example: "My monthly mortgage payment is quite high."
Verb example: "They had to mortgage their farm to pay off their debts."
§ Mistake 4: Not understanding the implications of a mortgage
While this isn't a grammatical mistake, a common conceptual error is not fully grasping the legal implications of a mortgage. It's crucial to understand that the property is used as security, and failure to repay can lead to losing the property. This is a key part of the definition that learners sometimes overlook.
Example: "If you don't pay your mortgage, the bank can take your house."
By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can use the word "mortgage" more accurately and confidently in your English conversations and writing.
Test Yourself 24 questions
Imagine you want to buy a house. You need money from a bank. What is the special name for this money agreement?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I need a mortgage from the bank to buy a house.
If you don't pay back the money you borrowed for your house, what can the bank do with your house?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The bank can take my house if I don't pay back the mortgage.
Complete the sentence: A ___ is a loan to buy a home.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A mortgage is a loan to buy a home.
What is John doing at the bank?
Read this passage:
John wants to buy a new house. He does not have all the money. He goes to the bank to ask for a special loan. This loan is called a mortgage. The bank will give him money, but his house will be security.
What is John doing at the bank?
The passage says, 'He goes to the bank to ask for a special loan. This loan is called a mortgage.'
The passage says, 'He goes to the bank to ask for a special loan. This loan is called a mortgage.'
What happens if Mary does not pay her mortgage?
Read this passage:
Mary bought a house with a mortgage. She has to pay the bank money every month. If she does not pay, the bank can take her house. It is important to pay your mortgage on time.
What happens if Mary does not pay her mortgage?
The passage states, 'If she does not pay, the bank can take her house.'
The passage states, 'If she does not pay, the bank can take her house.'
What is one important thing about a mortgage?
Read this passage:
A mortgage is a big agreement. It helps people buy homes even if they don't have all the money right now. But it means you have to make payments for many years. It is a long-term commitment.
What is one important thing about a mortgage?
The passage says, 'It helps people buy homes even if they don't have all the money right now.'
The passage says, 'It helps people buy homes even if they don't have all the money right now.'
This sentence describes how a bank holds a mortgage on a property.
This sentence explains that a mortgage was obtained to purchase a new house.
This sentence indicates the regular payment schedule for a mortgage.
Many young couples take out a ___ to buy their first home.
A mortgage is a specific type of loan used to buy property, making it the most appropriate word here.
If you don't keep up with your ___ payments, the bank could take your house.
Mortgage payments are what you pay back to the bank for the loan on your house.
The interest rate on their ___ was fixed for the first five years.
Mortgages often have interest rates, which can be fixed or variable.
Getting a ___ can be a long process, involving a lot of paperwork.
Applying for a mortgage is typically a complex financial process.
They were approved for a ___ and could finally buy their dream house.
Being approved for a mortgage means the bank will lend you the money for a house.
The bank holds the title to the property as security against the ___.
In a mortgage agreement, the property serves as security until the loan is fully repaid.
This sentence describes complex discussions regarding a mortgage repayment plan involving multiple stakeholders, fitting the C2 level by its sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structure.
This sentence uses advanced vocabulary like 'precipitated' and refers to a complex economic event, the subprime mortgage crisis, which is suitable for a C2 learner.
This sentence discusses the serious consequences of failing to meet mortgage obligations, using 'peril' and 'foreclosure', appropriate for C2 learners due to its legal and economic context.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Example
We pay our mortgage to the bank every month.
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