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.

Incorrect: He plays good.
Correct: He plays well.

Explanation

Adjectives are used to modify nouns and adverbs are used to modify verbs. Good is an adjective. The adverb for this meaning is well.

She is a good girl. (Here the adjective good modifies the noun girl.)
She studies well. (Here the adverb well modifies the verb studies.)

He is a good player.

He plays well.

He Incorrect: Never I have seen such a mess.
Correct: Never have I seen such a mess.
Correct: I have never seen such a mess.
Incorrect: Hardly I have had any rest since morning.
Correct: Hardly have I had any rest since morning.
Correct: I have hardly had any rest since morning.

Explanation

We use inverted word order (verb before the subject) in sentences beginning with a negative word such as hardly, never, seldom etc.

Incorrect: Really speaking the movie isn’t very good.
Correct: In truth the movie isn’t very good. OR As a matter of fact, the movie isn’t very good. OR In fact, the movie isn’t very good. OR To speak the truth, the movie isn’t very good.

Incorrect: It is a very good novel; I liked it on the whole.
Correct: It is a very good novel; I liked the whole of it.

Explanation

Use ‘on the whole’ to sum up your opinion of something which is good and bad in parts.

Compare:

The script of the film was excellent but the photography was bad. On the whole I enjoyed it. (The film was good and bad in parts, but on the whole I enjoyed it.)
The photography of the film was excellent, so was the script. I enjoyed the whole of it. (The film was good in every aspect, so I enjoyed the whole of it.)

Incorrect: She was deadly injured in the accident.
Correct: She was fatally injured in the accident.

Explanation

Deadly is an adjective. It is used to modify nouns. The adverb for this meaning is fatally.

Incorrect: I haven’t been to the theater much late.
Correct: I haven’t been to the theater much lately.

Explanation

Late means after an expected or arranged time.

We are already late.
Lately means recently.