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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
88 views114 pagesRules
Uploaded by
TigerCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
Rules and Examples
(«) The scenery of Kashmir are enchanting,
1. Some nouns always take a singular verb.
a e (Incorrect)
tationery, furniture, abuse, fuel ree, gram, () The scenery of Kashmiris enchanting (Corred)
iseue, bedding, repair, news, mischief, (@) He has given advices. (Incorrect)
Mrathematcy clasicy ethics iklerice, ©) Fens given advice (Corres
innings, gallows. (®) The Indian team defeated the English by
innings (Incorrecl)
()) The Indian team defeated the English by an
innings. (Correct)
(8) Mathematics are a difficull subject. (Incorrect)
(b) Mathematics is a difficult subject. (Correct)
Note: If you have to indicate that the number of
news, advice, information or furniture is more
than one, the examples listed can be followed.
(a) have a lot of news to tell you.
(b) He has sold many pieces of his furniture.
&
Your PEDIA 2. Some nouns are singular in form, but they
are used as plural nouns and always take a
plural verb.
Cattle, gentry, vermin, peasantry, artillery,
people, clergy, company, police.
(@) The cattle is grazing in the ground (Incorrect)
(b) The cattle are grazing in the ground
(Correct)
(8) The clergy is in the church (Incorrect)
(b) The clergy are in the church (Correct)
&
Your PEDIA 3. Some nouns are always used in a plural
form and always take a plural verb.
‘Trousers, scissors, spectacles, stockings,
shorts, measles, goods, alms, premises,
thanks, tidings, annals, chattels, etc.
(a) Where is my trousers? (Incorrect)
(b) Where are my trousers? (Correct)
(a) Spectacles is now acostly item (Incorrect)
(b) Spectacles are now acostly item — (Correct)
Your PEDIA 4. There are some nouns that indicate length,
measure, moncy, weight or number. When
they are preceded by a numeral, they remain
unchanged in form.
Foot, metre, pair, score, dozen, head, year,
hundred, thousand, million.
(a) Itis a three-years degree course (Incorrect)
(b) Itis a three-year degree course (Correst)
(a) Lhave ten dozens of shoes. (Incorrect)
(b) Thave ten dozen of shoes. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 5. Collective nouns such as jury, public, team,
committee, government, audience, orchestra,
company, ete. are used both as singular and
plural depending on the meaning. When these
words indicate a unit, the verb is
otherwise the verh will be plural.
(a) The jury was divided in this case. (Tncorrec)
(©) The jury were divided in this case, (Corre)
(a) The team have not come as yet. (Incorrest)
(&) The team has notcome as yet. (Corres)
&
Your PEDIA 6, Some nouns have one meaning in the
singular and another in the plural
advice = counsel, advices = information,
atmosphere, aira = proud,
authority = command, authorities =
persons in power
goo. , goods = property
iron = metal, irons = fetters, chains,
force = strength, forces = army,
content = satisfaction, contents = things
contained,
Physic = medicine, physics = physical sciences,
respect = regards, respects = compliments
job, works = compositions, factories,
&
Your PEDIA
carning = income, earnings = sowings,
quarter = one-fou
Examples
(8) Airis necessary for human life
() lis bad t put on airs
(@) Thave eaten one quarter of the cake.
(b) Tlive in the government quarters
fh, quarters = hi 7. People are afien confined! sor they smn
‘mistakes in the use of certain nouns.
(@ Lecturership ix wrong; lectureship is
@ There are wwenty candidates for
Iecturership Arr)
There are twenty candidates for
Testuneshie (Gorasy
(b) Frecchip is wrong; free-ctudentchip
@ Ramesh has applied for feeship
Aner
@) Ramesh has applied tor txce~
sradentship (Coors)
(© Boarding is wrongs boarding house io
Mohan livesin aboarding. diner)
@_ Mohan lives in a boarding house.
(Corrs
&
Your PEDIA
(@) Family members is wrong, members of
the family is correct
@ Vivek and Ramesh are my family
members (nore)
@ Vivek and Ramesh are the members of
sy family. (Corres
(© English teacher is wrong; the teacher of
ims is correct.
@ DeRaina is our English teacher.
(reer
(@ DeRainais our teacher of Buglish,
(Core
ser is wrong; only
(© Cousin-brother or
@ Geetais my cousin sister. (Iawrrt
@_Geetais my cousin (Coss)
@ Room in a compartment or a hench
‘means unoccupied seat.
There is na mom on this hench,
(Conve) (h) Ours, yours, hers, theirs are correct
(i) This house is our’s. (Incorrect)
Gi) This house is ours. (Correct)
Note: The same principle applies to ‘yours’,
‘hers’ and ‘theirs’.
(@) Wages means punishment when used in
() The wages of sin is death.
@) Ivalso means charges for the labour when
used in plural sense.
@ The wages of daily workers have
been raised.
Your PEDIA 8. Also remember the subtle differences in the
usage of these pairs of nouns.
OM
individual whercas ‘custom’ applics to a
society or country.
e noun ‘habit applies only to an
@ Poor childsen often become a victim
of bad habits.
(i Tebals in India have many interesting
customs.
(b) ‘Cause’ produces a result, while ‘reason’
explains or justifies a cause.
(Scientists try to find out the cause of a
phenomenon
You have a good reason to be pleased
with your students.
(© ‘Man’ is used in ordinary sense while
‘gentleman’ is a man of character.
() Man is mortal
Gi) He is a gentleman at large
@) “Men—Plural of many ‘people’ is used
for persons.
(There are five men in the room
i) The people of Bihar arc simple
(©) Shade’—a place sheltered from the Sun;
‘shadow’—the shade of a di
or object
@ The villagers sat under the shade of trees
@i) He is even afraid of his own shadow
() ‘Cose—amount paid by the shopkeeper;
‘price’— amount paid by the customer.
ct form
(@ ‘The cost of production of automobile
items has gone up.
&
Your PEDIA (ii) Sometimes the buyers have to pay
higher price for necessary items.
(@) ‘House’—a building to live in; ‘Home’—
one’s native place.
@ Quarters are houses allotted to us for
a definite period.
Gi) My home town is Muzaffarpur.
‘Customer-—a buyer of goods; ‘Client —
one who avails oneself of a service.
a
() The shopkeepers welcome customers
with smiles.
(i) The lawyer discusses the cases of his
clients.
Your PEDIA 9. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent
in person, number and gender.
For example:
Lvery man must bring his luggage.
All students must do their home work.
Each of the girls must carry ber own bag.
Each student must bring their books. (Incorrect)
Each student must bring his books.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 10. While using ‘everybody’, ‘anyone’,
‘anybody’, and ‘cach’ the pronoun of the
masculine or the feminine gender is used
according to the content.
I shall be happy to help each of the boys in this
practice.
But when the sex is not mentioned, we use the
pronoun of the masculine gender.
Anyone can do this job if be tries.
Each of the six boys in the class has finished
their task. (Incorrect)
Lach of the six boys in the class has finished
his task. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 11. ‘The pronoun ‘one’ must be followed by ‘one’s’.
Onc must finish his task in time (Incorrect)
One fs finis ‘one task in time (Corres) bit pe od
moe
Your PEDIA
“tab he np of te x > 12, Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, drive, exert, )
apply, resig » drive, exert,
avail, pride;-absent, etc, when used as
transitive verbs, always take a reflexive
pronoun after them. When ‘self? is added to
‘my’, ‘your, ‘him’, ‘her’ and ‘it’ and ‘selves’
to ‘our’ and ‘them’—they are known
as |
reflexive pronguns, J
ns:
(He absentedfro the clas}, (Incorrect)
He absented kimselffrom the class.(Correct)
J ony eet ae ip
Your PEDIA
vonkig , 13. (Who? denotes the subjects and ‘whom’ is
used. for 1 the object.
7 Ye Thomdo you think won the award? (Incorrect)
is ay ou think won the award (Correct)
eo Who are you taking-to? (Incorrect)
Whom re you talking to? (Correct)
Ne
i - Od
(ise (. r yor og
| ise Hf
Your PEDIA
(O Fs
oy
ot 14. When two or more singular nouns are
joined together by ‘either ors ‘neither nor’s
and ‘or’, the pronoun is singular.
fitter en) exh will eB (i _ [+ \
\
Fiither Ram or Shyam will orcels (Corre j +)
Neither Ramesh nor Rajendra has done
Geir tk. (mor
Neither Ramesh nor Rajendra has done
a
‘es os SA 6)
rk. (Corea (G4 (QZ
Your PEDIA "by ‘or, ‘nor, the pronoun must be(plurah,
Either the énginede or hig‘méch:
pies S$) cS) Uncorvent)
Either the engineer or his mechanics failed in
their duty, (Correct)
(wer (SY
“A
Your PEDIA _—>
is used for living persons and
or lifelens objesta.
‘uiphatopreph is lying there? (Incorrect)
ho : photograph is lying there? (Carrecl)
nes
fu What book do you read? (Incorrect)
h book do you read?_S (Correct)
Your PEDIA oO
Your PEDIA
other is used when there are two
jects or objects and‘onc-a er when
fre are more than two. oO
[\Remeoanid Juliet loved each other.) 0)
Those five friends, who are sitting there, love
one another.
Alll the studenteot-the Class are friendly; they
love each other. (incorrect)
All the studente-of the class are friendly; they
lovg-ohe another. (Correct)
SN hen a pronoun stands for a collective If the collective noun conveys the idea of
un, it must be in the singular number and separale individuals comprising the whole, the
in the neuter genderif the collective nounis ——prononn standing for st must he phueal
(owed as a whols. ‘he jury were divided in “heir opinions
a: so 2d enti Here the ‘jury’ gives the idea of several
Hage the firey iver the idea of one whole. ae
1 ‘The team are divided ia this opinion about
, \ . ~< playingon Sunday, (Incorrel)
\ > wh ~ \\ The team are divided (hetpinon about
ri \p playing on Sunday. / (Correct)
&
Your PEDIA 19. If pronouns of different persons are to be .
used together in a sentence, the serial order
of persons should be as follows: second
be 7}
a}
person + third person + first person in a
good normal sentence. But if a fault is to
be confessed, the order will be: first person
+ second person + third person.
You, he and Ihave finished the work.
(Normal sentence)
I, jou and he are to blame. al
Ram, I and you have finished our studies.
fl Gy Lg Lape
You, Ram and I have finished our studies.
(Correct) {
Your PEDIA 20. ‘Some’ is used in affirmative sentences to
“express quantity or degree. ‘Any’ js used in
( ‘negative or interrogative sentences.)
— Tshall buy some apples.
| shall not buy any apples.
Have you bought any apples?
But ‘some’ may be correctly used in interrogative ¢ ape
sentences which are, in fact, requests. i \y* qt
Will you please give me some milk?
‘shall read any book.) 7 — (Incorrect)
I shall read some book. (Correct)
Have you bought some apples? (Incorrect)
voweeon Have you bough Gny apples? (Correct) e use of ‘few’, ‘a few", and ‘the few’ should
be used with care. They denote ‘number’
‘Few! means ‘not many’. It is the opposite
of many. A ‘few’ is positive and means
‘come at least’, It is the opposite of none,
“The few" means ‘whatever there is’.
(Incorrect)
(Correct)
A few men are [ree from fault.
Your PEDIA
Tlere the sense is negative and thus ‘a few?
is wrong.
Few hoys will pass in the examination.
(lncorreet)
A few boys will pass in the examination.
(Correct)
Here the sense is positive and thus ‘few’ is
incorrect.
Thave already read a few books that are on
the bookshelf (Incorrect)
1 lave already read the few books that are
‘on the hoakshelf, (Correct)
Here the sense is ‘whatever there is?
Hoe
Pe 22. Use of ‘less’ and §
eae ty acne) ang Fewer Wenotes
Aaumber,_ 42 — NS
J
han fifty persons were killed.
‘(Incorre:t)
: — ,
Nef fee} an fifty paste killed
___ Carrest)
‘Thete are no fewer th lites D—
in the jug) (Incorrect)
‘There are neiessthan five litres of water in
the jug =~ (Correct)
Your PEDIA 23, Use of little, a little, the little.
‘Little’ means ‘hardly any’.
There is a little hope of his recovery.
ncorret)
There is little hope of his recovery. (Correct)
‘A little’ means ‘some’, though not much
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing,
(Incorrect)
A litle knowledge is a dangerous thing
(Correct)
‘The little means ‘not much but all there
is’.
A little milk that is in the pot may be used
for the patient (Incorrect)
The little milk that is in the pot may be used
for the patient. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 24. Use of Eldery
‘Older/refers™
and j
‘persons as well as ings Sala)
followed by ‘than’. 4
Ve hh
\, Ram is elder than all other boys of this v
w& arca.
oy (Incorrect)
Ram is oder than all other boys of this area.
(Correct)
‘Elder is used for members of the family.
Suresh is my older brother. (Incorrect)
Suresh is my elder brother. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 25. Normally ‘than’ is used in the comparative
degree, but with words like superior, inferior,
senior, junign, prior, anterior, posterior and Che)» ,
thin ued. Nr)
roa than Wordsworth. (Incorrect)
Shelley is junior to Wordsworth. — (Carrect) oe)
I prefer reing than sleeping, nvr) te JA a
I prefer reading to sleeping, (Correct) b
c ve
wt oy
Aw
J
Your PEDIA 26. When a comparison is made by using a
| comparative followed by ‘than’, the word
eother must be used to exclude the thing
compared from the class of things with
LEC)
i EOF
f. \ (Correct)
imself and
(
Hei
(which it is com
e
‘Any man’ includes the m
thus the sentence will héabsur
—
Your PEDIA 27. Im some cases, the comparison is subtle and
(MURT be given-proper-attention-———
ba |
Ihe climate of Ranchi is better than Gaya.
F enor)
Here the comparison should be between the
climate of Ranchi and the climate of Gaya
‘The chmate of Ranchi 1s better than the
climate of Gaya. (Correct)
The
a cae
‘The scenery of Kashmir
better than
‘Shimla. _ Tricorres
The scenery of Kashmir is bette¢than that
of Shinala — {Corset}
‘That of? means ‘the climate of”
Note: If the teaits are in plucal, it will be ‘those of
The clothes of XCM are hetter than thase af
Mafatlal
©
Your PEDIA 28. ‘Many a’ is always { followed by the e singular
verb. 7 x =
<7 Many 2 a newer |rowned in the sea. _
(Incorrect)
Many aman was drowned in the sea. (Correct)
Your PEDIA verb is used. -
‘The number of student are Wery small
ee
é ZEN (Incorrect)
The number of sudenel Jy small.
(-N (Correct)
If the subject is ‘a ntmber of”, EV verb is
—— iw
used. Yor
Anumber of booksJegnissing. (Incorrect)
A number of books tee shissing. (Correct)
un
Your PEDIA 30. When ‘as well as’, ‘along with’, ‘together
with’, ‘no Tess than’, ‘in addit
nto’, and Ce (od oo)
omic he
in two subjects, the verb QD Kok \ A\ a <
will be according to the first subject. = \
\ fr wrt
AK Ram, 2s well as his ten ftionds, are going | 5 ee \
\ (Ineo) alS\ “Gude | - Kn] do)
Ram, as wellas his ten friends, is going |
(Corredt). D) Cihen Rew ~
[pie este ab yng, with thé ase | Q Lay ure hin we
—dacgprect
along with the student way le) foe ae vai fudk
(Correct) chew hye pel
Your PEDIA 31. ‘A "A great t many’ is is always followed by; a a plural
noun n and a: plural verb. — =) _
A great many student yhas’ feos declared
——successful. (Incorrect)
A great mony students have been declared
successful Eianetia i (Cor ‘orrect) al
Your PEDIA 32. If two subjects are joined by ‘either or’, |
‘neither nor’, the verb agrees_with the al,
= ——— ae Q) I. fe
subject that ides bn het Ld pix a
pester Rams I Keto do this work.
7
{ — \ an (Incorrect)
| Eith Ramesh ol dpe ta do this work. ‘|
oT a) (Correct)
Neithef he no ie fridndd fe-reading.
ne) ences
a (Incorrect)
Neither he nor his friends are reading, (Correct)
Your PEDIA 33. When two singular nouns joined by“and’)
point oltthe same thing or person, t the) verl
will be singular. ~ 7
~ Breadrand butter make s4oad bea breakfast.
b
A ncorred)
“Bread and snug ake a good breakfast.
(Correct)
= Mie
rp)
fon a (Ae)
The Collector and the District a fyude
are on leave. (Incorrect) }
The Collector and the District Magistrate is
on leave. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 34. ‘One of always takes ara ng noun after it.
(It is one-of the ‘important day. nay He)
| \_ Incorreity —_ rant Ci pre)
“ei is one of the ix important days in my “my life. “Vd
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 35. Use of ‘not only’ and ‘bur aloo) Examine
the sentences given b a Not od
He not only comes for swimming but also ») A
for coaching the learners. (Incorrect) (2 wd a ce)
He comes not only for swimming but also
for coaching the learners. (Correct)
Here the error is due to misplacement.
The expression ‘not only’ must be placed
before the right word, otherwise the
meaning changes. Here this expression is
meant for swimming and not for coming.
Your PEDIA 36,/Scarcely”) and ‘hardly? are followed by
\qvhen’ and not by ‘than’. > 1 shun
Thad scarcely entered the roo; he phone
‘| rang. <= (Incorrect)
I had scarcely entered the room when the phone
rang. _ (Correct)
fu
(
\
Your PEDIA 37. ‘Though’ is followed by ‘yet? and not by
‘but’. NN _ 3 oo
Though he is poor but he is honest. (Incorrect)
Though he is poor, yet he is honest.
Your PEDIA 38. ‘No sooner is.f llowed by ‘than’ Que
No_sGone! “entered the clas: the _
students stood up. ‘ncorrect) a \
Je ee : : N)
| No sooner had T entered the class /han the Sea | 0 | br
\ stood up. (Correct) =
Attention must also be given to the verb form
while using ‘no sooner than’. The correct
forms are past perfect or past indefinite. x
No sooncr had I entered the class than the Lies
students stand up. (Incorrect)
No sooner had I entered the class ¢han the
students stood up. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 39. ‘Lest’ must be followed by! ‘Should’.
Read regularl oe fail. (Incorrect)
=— _ Read regutatly 1 ou < ould Fail Id Fail. (Correct)
Your PEDIA a
40. Such’s followed by @
00k. (Incorrecl)
Te is such a-writer(aspverybody should read___
his books (Corre)
also followed by ‘tha
the degree of somethin es
mentioning the tesult———_
‘The extent of the disaster was, iain thadythe
authorities were quile unable Te
Your PEDIA 41. So’ is followed by ‘that’.
Sanita was popular with her classmates that
she always had some people coming to her
for advice. (Incorrect)
Sarita was so popular with her classmates
that she always had some people coming to
her for advice. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 42, ‘Unless’ expresses a condition. It is always
used in the negative sense. Thus ‘not is
never used with ‘unless’.
Unless you do not labour hard, you will not
pass. (Incorrect)
Unless you labour hard, you will not pass.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 43. Until expresses time. It has a negative
sensc and thus ‘not’ should never be used.
with it.
Wait here until Ido not return. — (Incorrect)
Wait here until I return. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 4A, ‘Since’ indicates a point of time and ‘for’
stands for the length of time.
He has been reading the book since two
hours. (Incorrect)
He has been reading the book for two hours
(Correct)
‘Two hours is a length of time and thus ‘for’
is correct
It has been raining for Monday last.
(Incorrect)
Ithas been raining since Monday Last. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 45. ‘As if? is used to convey the sense of pretension.
When ‘as if? is used in this sense, ‘were’ is used
in all cases, even with third person singular.
He behaves as if he was aking, (Incorrect)
He behaves as fhe were a king, (Correct)
Note: The sense of time and tense is also very
important. Certain important rules are listed below.
Your PEDIA 46, A past tense in the principal clause is
followed by a past tense in the subordinate
clause.
He saw that the clock has stopped.
(Incorrect)
He saw that the clock has stopped. (Correct)
There are, however, two exceptions to this rule:
(1) A past tense in the principal clause may
be followed by a present tense in the
suburdinate clause, when it expresses &
universal truth,
‘The teacher observed that the Earth moved
round the Sun. (Invorree)
‘The teacher observed that the Rarth moves
round the Sun. (Correct)
&
Your PEDIA
(2) When the subordinate clause is
introduced by ‘than’, even if there is
past tense in the principal clause, it may
be followed by any tense required by the
sense in the subordinate clause,
He helped him more than he helped his
own children. (Incorrect)
He helped him more than he helps his own
children. (Correct) 47. If two actions in a sentence are shown
happening in the past, one after the other;
the tense of the action happening first
should be past perfect and that of the
second should be past indefinite.
The patient died before the doctor arrived.
(Incorrect)
The patient had died before the doctor
arrived. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 48. Two actions in the past, one depending
on the other, should have the sequence as
follows:
Past perfect + Future perfect
Had + past participle + would + have +
past participle
If you had worked hard, you would have
succeeded in the examination.
Or
Had you worked hard, you would have succeeded
in the examination.
If you would have practised regularly, you
would win the match. (Incorrect)
If you had practised regularly, you would have
ve the match. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 49. If, in a sentence, two actions are indicated
and both are to take place in future, the
sequence of tenses will be as follows:
The principal clause in present indefinite;
and the subordinate clause in future
indefinite.
If I go to Delhi, I shall attend the seminar.
Note: ‘If I go to Delhi’ is the principal clause and
‘I chall attend the seminas’ is the subordinate clause,
If it will rain, I shall not attend the
meeting (Incorrect)
If it rains, I shall not attend the meeting,
(Correct)
&
Your PEDIA 50. When an action has taken place in two
clauscs of a scntcnce, it is uscd in both the
clauses according to the requirement.
My brother has and is still doing excellent
work for his organisation. (Incorrect)
My brother has done and is still doing excellent
work for his organisation. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 51. When there is a sense of continuity, that
is, when a thing has taken place in the
past and still continues in the present, the
perfect continuous tense form of the verb
should be used.
India is independent for the last forty-six
years. (Incorrect)
India has been independent for the last forty-six
years (Correct)
Note: The use of arfcks is also an important matter
and one imust be careful about it.
Your PEDIA 52. Before a consonant ‘a’ is used.
‘A boy, a horse, a woman.
But ‘a’ is also used before words like
university, useful, unicorn, union,
European, and one, etc., because these
words begin with a consonant sound.
Here is an University. (Incorrect)
Tlete is @ University. (Correct)
An European lives in my area. (Incorrect)
A European lives in my area. (Correct)
It is an one-rupee note. (Incorrect)
It is a one-rupee note. (Correct)
YouR PEDIA 53. Similarly, words like ‘hour’, ‘honest, ‘heir’,
etc. take ‘an’ before them as they begin with
a vowel sound.
I have been waiting for him for a hour.
(Lncorrecl)
I have been waiting for him for az hour.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 54. Some important points to remember regarding
the omission of a/an/the:
1, Before a common noun used
widest sense, c.
‘Man is mortal.
2. Before names of matcrials.
Bronze is a useful metal.
3. Usually before proper names.
Patna is the capital of Bihat.
4. Before abstract nouns used in general sense.
Beauty fascinates people.
5. Before languages
Finglish is a very popular language
in the Delhi University.
Your PEDIA
6. Before ‘schoo? ‘college’, ‘church’, ‘bed’,
‘table’, ‘hospital, ‘market’, and ‘
when these places are visited or used for
their common purpose.
My Christian friends go to the church
every Sunday.
7. Before names of relations, like ‘father’,
‘mother’, ‘aunt’, ‘uncle’, ‘cook’, and
Father is very happy today.
8. Before predicative nouns denoting a
unique position that is normally held at
one time by one person only.
He was elected chairman of the Board,
Note: Bint ‘the’ is used with these words when we
efor to them as a definite place, building, or object
rather than to the normal activity that goes om there
I met my friend at the chusch, 55. Uses of ‘the’?
1. When the object is unique
Before musical instruments.
T know how to play the harmonium.
The earth, the sky, the equator 7. With a class of things.
‘The crow is a clever bird.
2. Before superlatives 8. ‘The? should be used before both
‘The best, the finest, the most comparative degrees when they are used
3. With proper nouns like ‘seas’, ‘rivers’, in a sentence for proportion.
‘group of islands’, ‘chains of mot s Higher we go, cooler we Leel.(Jxcorred)
‘deserts’,
‘newepapers’, ‘buildings’,
jus books’, ‘gulls?
‘The Arabian sea, The Ganges, The Taj
Mahal,
The Times of India, The Ramayana
Before a propernoun, whenit is qualified
by an adjective
The Lligher we go, the cooler we feel.
(Correct)
4
The immortal Kalidas
5. Before an adjective, when the noun is
hidden.
@ The sich should be kind and helping
Your PEDIA 56. ‘What to speak of? is incorrect; the correct
expression is ‘not to speak of.
&
Your PEDIA
What to speak of running, he cannot even
walk, (Incorrect)
Not to speak of running, he cannot even
walk. (Correct) When there is the sense of dislike, hesitation,
risk, ec, in a sentence, we should use a gerund
instead of a verb. \ gerund is that form of the
verb which ends in Sng? and can be used m the
place of a noun.
T dislike to see a film late in the night.
(Incorrect)
I dislike seeing « film late in the night.
(Correct)
Young gicls hesitate to talk to strangers.
(Incorrect)
Young girls hesitate #a/king fo strangers.
(Corre)
&
Your PEDIA 58. ‘Cent per cent’ and ‘word by word’ arc
wrong. ‘Hundred per cent’ and ‘word for
word’ are correct expressions.
You are never cent per cent sure of your
success in a competitive examination.
(Incorrect)
You are never hundred per cent sure of your
success in a competitive examination.
(Correct)
I can reproduce this lesson word by word.
(Incorrect)
° I can reproduce this lesson word for word.
vourresia (Correct) 59.
Your PEDIA
Since’, ‘because’, ‘as’, and ‘for,—all mean
‘because’, but there is a difference in their
degree. Since’ and ‘because’ are used for
stronger cases and ‘as’ and ‘for’ for weak cases.
I respect him as he is my teacher. (Incorrect)
I respect him because he 1s my teacher.
(Correct)
I could not attend the meeting because it
was very hot today. (Incorrect)
I could not attend the meeting as it was very
hot today. (Correct) 60. Use of ‘when’ and ‘while’: Proper attention
must be paid to these words. ‘When’ indicates a
general sense and “wvhile’ implies a time during
the process of doing a work.
When learning to swim, one of the most
important things is to relax. (Incorrect)
While learning to swim, one of the most
important things is to relax. (Correct)
Your PEDIA G1. Sometimes the error lies in the use of words.
Proper attention must, therefore, be given
to the appropriateness of words.
Prakash was leading a happy and leisurely
life after his retirement from his service.
(Incorrect)
Prakash was living a happy and leisurely life
after his retirement from his service.
(Correct)
Here the word deading’ is inappropriate. One
does not lead life, one lives life. One leads a
group, leam, movement, etc.
Your PEDIA 62. If in a sentence an apposition has been
used, the verb will follow not the apposition
but the noun or pronoun preceding it.
You, my son, is a good boy. (Incorrect)
You, my son, are a good boy. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 63. Proper, abstract and material nouns have
no plural except when they are used as
common nouns.
‘The house is built of bricks. (Incorrect)
The house is built of brick. (Correct)
Note: When such nouns are used in the plural,
they become common nouns with changed
meaning:
S
Coppers = Copper coins;
Iron = fetters.
Tins = cans made of tin;
Woods = forest.
He lives in the woods.
YourPevialt means he lives in a forest. 64.
Your PEDIA
Clauses in a sentence beginning with a
relative pronoun (who, which, that) take
a verb according to the noun or pronoun
preceding the relative pronoun.
It is I who has done it. (Incorrect)
Itis I who have done it. (Correct) 65. The relative pronoun should be placed as
near as possible to its antecedent so that no
ambiguity arises.
The boy is my cousin who stood first in the
mile race. (Incorrect)
The boy, who stood first in the mile race, is
my cousin. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 66. When two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ are
preceded by ‘each’ or ‘every’ the pronoun
used for them is singular.
Tach Man and each boy is responsible for
their action. (Incorrect)
Each Man and each bay is responsible for his
action. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 67. Sometimes a pronoun is used where it is not
required at all.
He being an M.A, he is qualified for the
post. (Incorrect)
He, being an M.A., is qualified for the post.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 68. Tf a pronoun comes after a preposition it
should be used in the objective case.
Between you and I neither of us is correct.
(Incorrect)
Between you and me neither of us is correct.
(Correct)
&
Your PEDIA 69. When a pronoun comes after ‘like’ and
‘unlike’ it takes an objective case.
A man like I will not do it. (Incorrect)
A man kke me will not do it (Correct)
Your PEDIA 70. A pronoun takes an objective case after ‘let’.
Let I do it. (Incorrect)
Let me do it. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 71. Pronouns joined by ‘and’ remain in the
same case.
Your PEDIA
He and her are brother and sister. (Incorrect)
Tle and she ave brother and sister. (Correct)
He and me arc friends. (Lncorrect)
He and I are friends. (Correct) 72, When pronouns of second person and third
person are used as subjects, the pronoun
following them will be according to the
second person pronoun.
You and he must bring his books. (Incorrect)
You and he must bring your books. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 73. When pronouns of second person and first
person are used as subjects, the pronoun
following them will be first person plural
form.
You and I must finish your work in time.
(Incorrect)
You and I must finish ovr work in time.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 74. ‘But’ is also uscd as a relative pronoun.
When a sentence has a negative noun or
pronoun, ‘but’ can be used with it. In this
case ‘but’ means: who not; that not.
Here was none but laughed to see the joker.
‘There is no bird but flic
Note: Ilere the meaning of ‘but laughed’ is
“who did not laugh’.
‘But flies’ means ‘that does not fly’,
&
Your PEDIA 75. The relative pronoun ‘that’ is used in
preference to ‘who’ or ‘which’ after
adjectives in the superlative degree.
The wisest man who ever lived made
mistakes. (Incorrect)
The wisest man that ever lived made
mistakes. (Correct)
This is the best which we can do. (Incorrect)
This is the best that we can do. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 76. The relative pronoun ‘that’ is also used in
preference w ‘who’ and ‘which’ afer words ‘al?,
‘same’, ‘any’, ‘none’, ‘nothing’, and (the) ‘only’.
He is the same man who he has scen.
(Incorrect)
in. (Correel)
Man is the only animal who can talk
(Incorrect)
Man is ¢he only animal ¢hat can talle. (Correct)
He is he same man thal he has si
Your PEDIA 77. The same rule applies after interrogative
pronouns ‘who’ and ‘what’.
What is there which I do not know?
(Incorrect)
What is there that 1 do not Know? (Correct)
Your PEDIA 78. When there are two antecedents, a man and
an animal or two things before the relative
pronoun, we should use ‘that’,
‘The man and his dog which passed through
this road were killed. (Incorrect)
The man and his dog that passed through this
road were killed. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 79, ‘The case of the noun or pronoun preceding or
succeeding the verb ‘to be’ should be the same.
Your PEDIA
Itis him who came to see us. (Lncorrect)
It is he who came to see us. (Correct)
It is me who caught the thief, (Incorrect)
It is I who caught the thief. (Correct) 80. When two qualities of a person or thing are
compared ‘more’ or ‘less’ is used before the
adjective and the adjective following them
takes positive degree.
Suman is better than brave. (Incorrect)
Suman is more good than brave. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 81. When two or more adjectives are used to show
the qualities of the same man or thing, all the
adjectives must be in the same degree.
Sita is more intelligent and wise than Rita.
(Tucorrect)
Sita is more intelligent and wiser than Rita.
(Correct)
Ramesh is the wisest and strong boy of the
class. (Incorrect)
Ramesh is she wisest and the strongest boy of
the class. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 82. ‘Very’ is used with adjectives i
degree and with present parti
the positive
les,
He is a much strong man. (Incorrect)
He is a tery strong man. (Correct)
Itis amuch interesting book. —_(Incorred)
tis very interesting book. (Correct)
Note: ‘Much’ is used with adjectives in the
comparative degree and with past participles.
He is very stronger than Tam. (Incorrect)
He is very much stronger than I am.
(Correct)
Tam very obliged to my friend. (Incorrect)
Tam very much obliged to my friend.
(Correct)
&
Your PEDIA 83. To show equality ‘as’ is used before and
after the adjective.
I can run as fast, if not fastcr, than you.
(Incorrect)
I can run as fast as, if not faster, than you.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 84. Certain adjectives do not admit of
comparison and thus they always remain in
the positive degree:
‘Absolute’, ‘annual’, ‘chief’, ‘circular’
‘complete’, ‘entire’, ‘extreme’, ‘excellent’, ‘full’,
mpossible’, ‘perfect’, ‘tight, ‘round’, ‘unique’,
‘universal’, ‘whole’, etc.
This is the most unique building that I have
seen. (Incorrect)
This is the unique building that I have
seen. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 85. ‘More than one’ indicates a plural sense,
but it is treated as a sort of compound of
one. Thus it agrees with a singular noun
and takes a singular verb.
More than one employees were killed in the
accident. (Incorrect)
More than one employee was killed in the
accident. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 86. A verb must agree with its subject and not
with the complement.
Our only guide at night were the stars.
(Incorrect)
Our only guide at night was the stars. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 87. If the plural subject denotes a definite
amount or quantity taken as a whole, the
verb is singular.
Forty miles are a good distance. (Incorrect)
Forty miles is a good distance. (Correct)
‘Two-thirds of the book were rubbish.
(Incorrect)
Two-thirds of the book was rubbish.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 88. The plural ‘heaps’ and ‘lots’ used colloquially
for a great amount take a singular verb unless
a plural noun with ‘of is added.
There are lots of book. (Incorrect)
There is lots of book. (Correct)
There is lots of books to read. (Incorrect)
There are lots of books to read. (Corrett)
Your PEDIA 89. When qualified by ‘each’ or ‘every’ two
singular subjects, even if connected by
‘and’, take a singular verb.
Each boy and every girl were given
rewards. (Incorrect)
Each boy and every girl was given rewards.
(Correct) 90. The following verbs arc always followed by
an infinitive:
‘decide’, ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘fail’, ‘hope’, ‘intend’,
earn’, ‘promise’, ‘refuse’, ‘want’, ‘agree’,
‘consent’, ‘try’, love’, etc.
I refuse meeting him. (Incorrect)
I refuse to meet him. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 91. ‘The following verbs and phrases should be
followed by a gerund which is verbal noun:
‘enjoy’, ‘admit’, ‘deny’, ‘appreciate’, ‘regret’,
‘avoid’, ‘help’, ‘consider’, ‘stop’, looking
forward 10’, ‘accustomed 0’, is used to”, ‘do
not mind’, ‘object to’, ctc.
Tam looking forward to receive your reply.
(Incorrect)
Lam hooking forward to receiving your reply.
(Corred
Tle is used to work hard. (Incorrect)
He is used to working hard. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 92. ‘he word ‘to’ is frequently used with the
infinitive, but it is not an essential part of
it. For cxample, after certain verbs (bid’, Iet’,
‘make’, ‘need’, ‘dare’, ‘see’, ‘hear’) we use the
infinitive without ‘to’.
Bid him to go there. (Incorrect)
Bid him go there. (Correct)
Make him to stand. (Incorrecl)
Make him stand. (Correct)
I saw him to cry (Incorrecl)
I saw him ery (Correct.
Your PEDIA 93. The infinitive is used without ‘to’ after ‘had
better, ‘had rather’, ‘would rather, ‘sooner
than’ and ‘rather than’.
You had better to ask permission from
him. (Incorrect)
You had better ask permission from him.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 94, ‘Than’ should be used after ‘no other’.
Your PEDIA
I met no other man but Mr. Roy. (Incorrect)
T met xo other man than Mr. Roy. (Correcl)
Ram has no other claim except his degrees.
(Incorrect)
Ram has xo ofher claim than his degrees.
(Correct) 95. After the word ‘know’, ‘how’, or ‘when’
should be used before using an infinitive.
I know to write French. (Incorrect)
I know how to write French. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 96. A verb may take an infinitive or a gerund
according to its implication. If the
verb indicates a purpose, an infinitive
should be used and if the verb indicates a
cause, a gerund should be used.
He went to school for seeing the principal.
(Incorrect)
He went to school to see the principal.
(Correct)
He was turned out to copy answers.
(Incorrect)
He was turned out for copying answers.
(Correct)
Your PEDIA 97. Adverb ‘as’ is not used with verbs like
‘appointed’, ‘elected’, ‘considered’, ‘called’
but it is used with ‘regard’.
Your PEDIA
He was elected as President of our society.
(Incorrect)
He was elected President of our society.
(Correct)
I regard Ramesh my friend. (Incorrect)
I regard Ramesh as my friend. (Correct) 98, After the verb ‘doubt’ ‘that? should not be
used. ‘If’ or ‘whether’ should be used in its
place.
I doubt that Ravi will come. (Incorrect)
I doubt if Ravi will come. (Correct)
Your PEDIA 99. Often a mistake is committed in the use
of adjectives and adverbs. An adjective is
correctly used with the verb when some
quality of the subject, rather than of the
action of the verb, is to be expressed.
The flowers smelt sweetly. (Incorrect)
The flowers smelt sweet (Correct)
Your PEDIA 100. It is a common practice in conversation to
make a statement and ask for confirmation;
as, ‘It’s very hot, isn’t it?’ Two points are to
be kept in mind. If the statement is positive,
the pattern will be
Auxiliary + n’t + subject.
If the statement is negative, the pattern will be
Auxiliary + subject
It is raining, is it? (Incorrect)
It is raining isn’t it? (Correct)
You are not busy, aren’t you? (Incorrect)
You are not busy, are you? (Correct)
&
Your PEDIA 100. It ie a common practice in conversation to
make a statement and ask for confirmation;
as, Its very hot, isn’t it? Two points are to
be keptin mind. If the statement is positive,
the pattern will be
Ausiliary + n't + subject.
If the statement is negative, the pattern will be
Auxiliary + subject
Itis raining, is it? (Incorrect)
Ibis raining isn’t it? (Correct)
You are not busy, aren't you? —_—_(Incorred!)
You are not busy, are you? (Correct)
Note: The point to note hercis that the question
tag. will always have the same verb form which
we have in the main statement:
Thave finished my work, didn’t I? (Incorrect)
yourPevia | have finished my work, haven't I? (Correct) 101. There are certain common errors which
should be avoided.
(@) The two first’ is a meaningless expression
for it implics that two things may he first.
We should say “the first two"
‘The two first chapters of the novel arc
dull. (Incorrect)
The first tuo chapters of the novel are
dull (Correct)
(b) ‘Only’ should be placed immediately before
the word it qualifies.
He only lost his ticket in the
stampede, (Incorrect)
Only he lost his ticket in the
stampede (Cornect)
&
Your PEDIA
(9 An infinitive vesb should not be split.
[request you to kindly help me.
(Ancorre)
request you kindly Zo be me
(Corres)
(@) Care shone taken in the nse of verbs
The doctor saw the pulse of the
patient Araores
The doctor felt the pulse of the
patient (Correa)
He told the truth Aircore)
He spoke the truth (Correa)
Do not speak a i ee)
Do not tll lie. (Correa)
Our team made a goal. Inrret)
Our team scored a goal. (Corres)
eis taking bah, Anarres
He is having a bath. (Correa)
1 tll my prayers in the moming,
Ancor)
| say my prayers in the morning,
(Corrs i ao or,
Foo prc toe
go tenes ee
ane
‘Question No. (1-5) :
oot cen
O41 (First ating)
a f
Wwe physical growth, (3)/No error. (4
3.
Children enjoy listening to (1) /
ghost stories (2) / especially on
YsFialloween night. (3) / No error (4)
4.1 (1) /-haye (2)
to daJaf/ No error.(4)
© oe wt
Your PEDIA
error (a)
Question No. (6-10):
(SSC Combine Graduate Level ler
(3)/ No error. (4)
(Weare going tolauned (1)/ this
res project (2)/ within
the next few months. (3)/ No
error. (4)
Seance
a great manystudent)/have
See
weekend ()/ the wear
Cae
court. (8)/ No error. (4)
San
-é @ carefulAnvestigation
1/ we discovered {2}¢-that the
house was infested with termites.
(3)/ No error. GJ -
Question No. (11-14)
(SSC Combined GraduateLével Tier-1
Exam, 26.06.2011 (First Sit
10.
dian market (2)
controversy. (3) "No error.
(4)
y
Your Pepa
(42) you know nat 99100 /
‘who figaygome 2) 7 this lec of,
BARU Work? (3)/ No error 137”
every conceivable race and
nationality (1) / had its har
of suffering (2}7in tht
‘wars. (3)/ No error (4).
{SSC CGL Tier-1 (CBI
|. xa, 01,08:2016 rd siti
Question No: (15 - 19) :
(SSC Combined Graduate Level Tier-I
Exam. 26.06.2011 (Second Sitting),
Id me(1) / Twould
you hac
ve a (2), L solve the
problem. (3)/ Ngefror (4) i
“The Arabian Nights” (1) Laré U
tndeeg} / an interesting book.
(8) / No error (4)
Ghd
ey) 7. He (1)/ love
aii
one. (3)/ No error (4)
19, When fwent there (1}/ Charles
maying (Oy e-eame of
gs Chess.(3) / No error (4)
Gecatisn no. (20~29):
oe cro, Aa ligne
fs Sem ase011 per
a0 the way’ to. pacrense ake
production ciliate
bring more fand (2)/ unde
cultivation. (3)/ No error. (4)
he gis watched nendy (/
Tee mon sped her make
‘up (2)/ with a pouee hand.
(S)/ No error.
&
Your PEDIA
4
