Archive for the ‘Common Mistakes’ Category

0
Comments

Correct Use of Some Adjectives

February 7th, 2010 in Common Mistakes

Adjectives with verbs

An adjective can be used with a verb when some quality of the subject, rather than the action of the verb is to be expressed.
Read the sentences given below:

0
Comments

Correct Use of Nouns and Pronouns Part II

February 6th, 2010 in Common Mistakes

Pronouns used as complements of to be

Grammarians formerly recommended that a pronoun used as the complement of the verb to be should be in the nominative case. Today the use of the nominative case in such cases is considered extremely formal and over-correct. Instead, we use the objective case.

0
Comments

Correct Use of Nouns and Pronouns

February 6th, 2010 in Common Mistakes

Countable and uncountable nouns

Words like flower, book, tree, chair and pen are countable nouns because they refer to objects that can be counted. Countable nouns can have plural forms. They can also be used with numbers and the articles a/an.

There is a book on the table.
There are two books on the table.

0
Comments

Adverbs – Common Mistakes

January 30th, 2010 in Common Mistakes

Correct the following sentences and state your reason for doing so.

0
Comments

Correct Use of Some Adverbs

January 30th, 2010 in Common Mistakes

Avoid the use of double negatives

Two negatives should not be used in the same sentence because they destroy each other.

We should say:

0
Comments

Common Errors in the Use of Prepositions

January 14th, 2010 in Common Mistakes

Incorrect: He loves with me.
Correct: He loves me.

Incorrect: We discussed about the matter.
Correct: We discussed the matter.

Incorrect: We reached at the airport at 9 pm.

Correct: We reached the airport at 9 pm.

Incorrect: I have ordered for his dismissal.
Correct: I have ordered his dismissal.

0
Comments

Commonly Confused Words Part II

January 12th, 2010 in Common Mistakes, Words

Amount and number

Use amount with uncountable nouns like rice, water, wheat etc. Use number with countable nouns.

He bought a large amount of rice. (Rice is uncountable.)

He bought a large number of apples. (Apples are countable.)

Anxious and eager

0
Comments

Common Errors with Verbs and Adverbs Part V

December 23rd, 2009 in Common Mistakes

Incorrect: Just I had finished the lesson.
Correct: I had just finished the lesson.

Explanation

The adverb just goes between the auxiliary verb and the main verb. When there are two auxiliary verbs, just goes after the first.

He has just been promoted.

0
Comments

Common Errors with Verbs and Adverbs Part IV

December 23rd, 2009 in Common Mistakes

Incorrect: He wondered how was it made.
Correct: He wondered how it was made.

Explanation

In a direct question we put the auxiliary verb before the subject. In an indirect question we put the auxiliary verb after the subject. Note that we do not use the question mark after an indirect question.

0
Comments

Common Errors with Verbs Part III

December 23rd, 2009 in Common Mistakes

Incorrect: He denied to go.
Correct: He refused to go.

Explanation

‘To deny’ is to say that something is not true. ‘To refuse’ is to show unwillingness.

Incorrect: All day I was putting on a sweater.
Correct: All day I was wearing a sweater.

Explanation