P@ul’s Coaching Home নামে আমার একটা কোচিং সেন্টার ছিল। কোচিংয়ের স্টুডেন্টদের লেকচার শিট দিয়ে পরাতাম। কিছু শিট এখনও আমার কাছে রয়ে গেছে। সেগুলি এক-এক করে আপনাদের সাথে শেয়ার করছি। কিছু ভুল থাকতে পারে। ক্লাসে পড়ানোর সময় শিটের ভুলগুলি শুধরে দিতাম। তবে এখন সময়ের অভাবে সেটা করতে পারলাম না। আপনারা পড়ার সময় একটু কষ্ট করে শুধরে নিয়ে পড়বেন।
আরেকটা কথা। এক্সারসাইজগুলির কোনও সল্যুশন শিট আমি কখনওই বানাইনি। ক্লাসে ইন্সট্যান্টলি সল্ভ করে দিতাম। তাই, আপনাদের কষ্ট করে নিজে সল্ভ করে-করে পড়তে হবে।
Subject – Verb Agreement
Example – 1 : The professor were traveling in Europe when she received notice of her promotion. No Error
Modified Subject & Verb
Example – 2 : The professor voted teacher of the year by students were traveling in Europe when she received notice of her promotion. No Error.
Example – 3: His knowledge of history and economics aid him in his work. No Error.
Example – 4: The production of different kinds of artificial materials are essential to the conservation of our natural resources. No error
Subject With Accompaniment & Verb
Along with, together with, with, as well as, in addition to, accompanied by etc. == phrase of accompaniment
X + phrase of accompaniment + Y + verb (follows X)
Example – 5: His dog, along with his cat and goldfish, prevent him from taking long trips. No Error
Example – 6: Mary, accompanied by Jane, were well received at the show. No error
Inverted Sentence (Verb + Subject)
Example – 7: Just 2 miles from the factories and sky-scrapers stand a medieval castle which looks exactly as it did in the 12th century.
Example – 8: There has been several objections to the new policy.
Neither…nor, Either … or & Not only…but also
Neither / Either / Not only + X + nor / or / but also + Y + verb (follows Y)
Example – 9: Neither the councilmen nor the mayor take responsibility for the controversial bill. (A) Neither the councilmen nor the mayor take (B) Neither the councilmen or the mayor takes (C) Neither the councilmen take nor the mayor takes (D) Neither the mayor nor the councilmen takes (E) Neither the councilmen nor the mayor takes
Example – 10 : Either the governor or one of his close aides prefer not to have the Senator seated at the head table where he would be conspicu¬ous. No Error
Incorrect : Everyone knows that neither he nor they is allowed to leave the hall.
Correct : Everyone knows that neither he nor they are allowed to leave the hall.
Incorrect : Not only I but also he am to leave the house.
Correct : Not only I but also he is to leave the house.
Adjective and Adverb
“Adjectives are used to modify nouns. Adverbs are used to modify verbs, adverbs and ad¬jectives.”
Example – 11 : Some psychologists maintain that a child who has seen violence on television is more likely to react violent in situations of stress. No error
The recent created commission has done, nothing to address the problem except to approve the color of its stationery. No error
Example – 12 : The car runs quieter when I add a more heavy transmission fluid. (A) The car runs quieter when I add a more heavy (B) The car runs more quietly when I add a heavier (C) The car runs quieter when I add a more heavier (D) The car runs quietly when I add a more heavy (E) The car runs quieter when I add a heavier
Wrong Prepositions
In English, as in other languages, only certain prepositions can be used with certain verbs.
Examples- 13 : In contrast of the prevailing opinion, the editorial lays the blame for the strike on the workers and their representatives. No error
Examples – 14: Although ballet & modern dance are both concerned in movement in space, training for ballet is more rigorous than that for modern dance. No error.
approve/disapprove of
agree/disagree with
be ashamed of
compare with (point out similarities between
things of a different order)
capable/incapable of
be afraid of
compare to (point out differences between
things of the same order)
independent of
be interested in
be equal to
except for
next to
dependent on
related to
be bored with
similar to
Errors of Commonly Confused Words
Incorrect : They came despite of the rain.
Correct : They came in spite of the rain. or They came despite the rain.
Following are some of the more commonly misused words in English :
Indefinite…………Past……………Perfect……………Continuous………….Meaning
to lie……….lied………….lied………….lying……………. to tell an untruth
to lie………..lay…………..lain……………lying……….to recline
to lay…………laid………….laid…………laying………….to put down
Carefully distinguish between the verbs lay and lie. The verb lay is transitive and is always followed by an object; the verb lie is intransitive and connot have an object.
Examples: Lay the child down to sleep. I laid the book on the table. The hen has laid an egg. Let me lie here. He lay under that tree.
Incorrect : He was laying in bed all day yesterday.
Correct : He was lying in bed all day yesterday.
Affect (n) or Effect (v)? The flood affected our country.
The effect of the flood is devastating
Error in Making Comparisons
There are three degrees of comparisons, namely (a) Positive (b) Comparative (c) Superlative. When we talk about one person or one thing or one institution we only use positive degree.
For example :
1. He is a rich man. 2. He is a poor man.
When we compare two persons, things or institutions, we use comparative degree.
For Example :
1. You are stronger than your brother.
2. Mrs. Gandhi was more shrewd than Mr. Morarji Desai.
When we compare something with more than two, we use superlative degree.
For example :
1. He is the most intelligent boy in the class.
2. John is the fastest runner.
Following are the mistakes committed in making comparisions :
Use Comparative degree for two. Using superlative degree to compare 2 things is an error.
1. Incorrect He is poorest of the two.
Correct He is the poorer of the two.
2. Incorrect. He is most prosperous of the twins.
Correct He is more prosperous of the twins.
Example – 15: Which is the correct? (A) John maintained that his record was better or at least as good as hers. (B) John maintained that his record at its least was as good as hers. (C) John maintained that his record was as good or better than hers. (D) John maintained that his record was better or at least as good as her scholastic record. (E) John maintained that his record was better than or at least as good as hers.
Select correct items for comparison.
Incorrect : The speed of this engine is greater than the old one.
Correct : The speed of this engine is greater than that of the old one.
Incorrect: My pen is better than Ram.
Correct: My pen is better than that of Ram.
Solution : In the case of the first example, the speed of the engine must be com¬pared with speed and not with engine. In the second example, pen must be compared with the pen and not with Ram.
Example – 16 : Your courage is as great as any other man in defending your country. (A) as great as any other man. (B) so great as any other man. (C) great like any other man. (D) as great as that of any other man (E) as that of any man.
Absolute Adjectives: There are certain adjectives like square, parallel, essential etc. which cannot be changed into comparative or superlative degrees.
Example -17 :
Incorrect: These two lines are more parallel than the others.
Correct: These two lines are parallel and the others are not
Incorrect: The box is more square than the other.
Correct: The box is square and the other is not.
Redundancies (Never give anybody free gifts?!)
Words and expressions which do not contribute to the total meaning of the sentence are called redundant words. Such words make the sentence absurd and incorrect.
I saw the whole scene with my own eyes. (The italicised words are redundant).
Example -18:
Period of time : As `period’ gives the idea of time so the use of ‘time’ with it is redundant.
Incorrect: We stayed for a short period of time in the hotel.
Correct: We stayed for a short period in the hotel.
Refer back to : The word refer implies ‘back’ so it should not be used with refer.
Incorrect: Please refer back to page 20.
Correct: Please refer to page 20.
Repeat again : ‘Repeat’ means to ‘do again’ so the word again is redundant with ‘repeat’.
Incorrect: Do not repeat this mistake again.
Correct: Do not repeat this mistake.
Return back : The word ‘return’ means ‘turn back’. So ‘back’ should not be used with ‘return’.
Incorrect: He returned back from his trip.
Correct: He returned from his trip.
Example -19 : After being in school for sixteen years, Jack couldn’t wait to get out to get a job. (A) Jack couldn’t wait to get out to get a job (B) Jack arranged to look for a job. (C) Jack was eager to get a job (D) Jack wanted out and a job badly. (E) there was great desire in Jack to get out and get a job
Example – 20 : If one begins to smoke at an early age, it is likely that he will go on smoking further.
(A) it is likely that he will be smoking further. (B) he will probably keep smoking more & more. (C) he is likely to continue smoking. (D) it is hard to stop him from smoking more. (E) he will have a tendency to continue snioking.
Tips: “Avoid answer choices that are unnecessarily wordy.”
Double Negatives
Double negatives are not acceptable usage in standard written English.
Example – 21: Not hardly a sound could be heard when the speaker approached the dais. No error
Parallelism
“In a correctly written sentence, similar elements must have a similar form”.
In sentences containing a series of two or more items, check to see if the same form has been used for all the items in the series. Do not mix infinitives with gerunds, or verbs with nouns.
Example – 22: To abandon their homes, leave behind their families, and travelling across the ocean required great courage on the part of the immi¬grants who moved to America. No error
The review praised the wit, charm, and interpreting of the recital¬ist but never mentioned her voice.
Example -23 : The stranger was affable, with good manners and has a keen wit. (A) with good manners and has a keen wit. (B) with good manners and a keen wit. (C) well-mannered and keen-witted. (D) good manners as well as keen-witted. (E) and has good manners as well as keen wit.
Example 24: To run for an important political office, to manaae a large orizani¬zation and practising law effectively all require organization and problem-solving skills. (A) To run for a political office, to manage a large organization and practicing law (B) To run for a political office and to manage a large organiza¬tion, practicing law (C) Running for a political office, to manage a large organization and to practice law (D) To run and manage political offices and large organization and practicing law (E) Running for a political office managing a large organization and practicing law
Incorrect: The man was tired, irritable and needed sleep.
Correct: The man was tired, irritable and sleepy.
Incorrect: The friends planned hunting, fishing and eat.
Correct: The friends planned hunting, fishing and eating
Incorrect: My brother likes to swim, play tennis and riding.
Correct: My brother likes to swim, play tennis and ride.
Incorrect: He abused, insulted and I was irritated.
Correct: He abused, insulted and irritated me.
Example 25: Edward not only resists learning new facts but also remembering old lessons (A) Edward not only resists learning new facts but also remember¬ing old lessons. (B) Edward not only resists learning new facts but also to remem¬ber old lessons. (C) Edward resists not only learning new facts but also remember¬ing old lessons. (D) Edward resists not only learning new facts but also to remem¬ber old lessons. (E) Edward resists learning to correlate new facts and remembering old lessons.
Incorrect: The film was interesting, exciting, and it was made well.
Correct: The film was interesting, exciting, and well-made.
Pronoun Usage
“A pronoun in a sentence must have a clear and proper antecedent.”
Example -26: Samantha and Jane went shopping, but she couldn’t find anything she liked.
Example – 27: During, her rise to fame, she betrayed many of her friends, and because of it, few people trust her.
In New York City, they are brusque and even rude but quick to come to one another’s assistance in a time of crisis.
Ten years ago, the United States imported ten times as much French wine as Italian wine, but today Americans are drinking more of it. No error
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent, both in number & person.
Examples – 28 : Although a police officer used to be a symbol of authority, today they receive little respect from most people. No error
The Abbot was an effective administrator who attempted to assign each monk a task particulary suited to their talents and training. No error.
Example – 29: In this article they imply that everybody who dislike this philoso¬phy must still accept its principal tenet themselves. (A) In this article they imply that everybody who dislike this phi¬losophy must still accept its principal tenet themselves. (B) The author of this article implies that everybody who dislikes this philosophy must still accept its principal tenet themselves. (C) The author of this article implies that everybody who dislikes this philosophy must still accept its principal tenet himself.. (D) The author in this article implies that everybody who dislike this philosophy must himself still accept its principal tenet. (E) The author implies that everybody who dislike this philosophy must themselves still accept its principal tenet.
Example – 30 : Of the two leaders, neither Trotsky nor Lenin was most brilliant, but each worked in their sphere for the party. (A) was most brilliant, but each worked in their sphere (B) was most brilliant, but each worked in their own sphere (C) was most brilliant, but each worked in his sphere (D) was most brilliant, but each in their own sphere worked. (E) was more brilliant, but each worked in his sphere.
List of various types of pronouns:
Singular
everyone, yours, I, me, mine, someone, his/hers, he, him, one, somebody, that, she, her, other, nobody, this, you, such, anyone, ours, it, neither, anybody, no one, each, another, everybody, either
Plural
we, us, they, them, both, some, theirs, these, those
Can be Singular or Plural
none, any, you, who, which, what, that
Subject pronouns : I, You, She, It, We
Possessive pronouns : My, Your, His, Her, Our
Correct the followings :
(1) Those of us who are over fifty years old should get their blood pressure checked regularly.
(2) A mother who works outside has to prepare for emergencies when she cannot be there to take care of your sick child.
(3) Our neighbours know that when they go on vacation we will get his mail for him.
Example 31 : The preacher said that everyone will burn in eternal damnation for their sins. (A) that everyone will burn in eternal damnation for their sins. (B) that everyone for his sins in eternal damnation will burn. (C) that everyone will burn in eternal damnation for his sins. (D) about everyone that they will burn in eternal damnation for their sins. (E) that all of us should burn in eternal damnation for their sins.
Errors in Parallelism of Impersonal Pronouns
Impersonal Pronouns: It is necessary to continue using the impersonal pronoun ‘one’ throughout a sentence and ‘he’ or ‘his’ may also be used instead of ‘one’ or ‘ones’.
Avoid using ‘you’, ‘your’, ‘they’ or ‘their’ to refer to the impersonal ‘one’
Incorrect: One should take your duties seriously.
Correct: One should take one’s/his/her duties seriously. Or, You should take your duties seriously.
Example: After three years of college education, a person should be allowed to apply to graduate school, because by that time you are ready to choose a profession. No error
Incorrect: If one knew the facts, you should not be so quick to criticize.
Incorrect: If one does not work hard, you cannot expect to succeed.
Incorrect: At a large university, one will almost always be able to find a friend who speaks your language.
Pronouns After Preposition
Except, between, among, with, without, including, but and all other prepositions + objective pronoun.
Example 32 Every conservative candidate except Smith and she was defeated in the election.
(A) except Smith and she (B) except Smith and her (C) excepting Smith and she (D) but not she and Smith (E) outside of her and Smith.
Example – 33: The judges were unable to decide on a single winner, so they divided first prize between John and him.
Example -34: Everyone except the pitcher and me was injured in that game. (A) except the pitcher and me was (B) except the pitcher and me were (C) except the pitcher and I was (D) accept the pitcher and I were (E) accept the pitcher and me was
Example -35: Everyone but he like football.
Errors in tense
“Verb tenses must be in proper sequence. When two or more events have taken place, are taking place, or will take place at the same time, their tenses must be the same. If two events have taken place in the past but one event occurred prior to the other, the latter of the two events must be in the past tense, and the earlier of the two must be in the past perfect tense”.
Example: The teacher began to discuss the homework assignment when he will be interrupted by the sound of the fire alarm. No error
Example: When I saw smoke pouring from the engine, I realized that I forgot to add oil. (A) I realized that I forgot to add oil. (B) I had realized that I forgot to add oil. (C) I had realized that I had forgotten to add oil. (D) I realized that I would forget to add oil. (E) I realized that I had forgotten to add oil.
Use of Than & Different
“A pronoun following than in a comparison will be the subject pronoun “.
Example: You are prettier than she (is). You drive better than he (does). He is taller than I (not me). He knows as well as I (not me). I hate him as much as she. (not me).
Note: The word different is followed by from.
Example: You are different from me.
Errors With Who/Whom
When you are in doubt about the correctness of WHO/WHOM, try substituting the sub¬ject/object of a simpler pronoun to clarify the meaning.
Example-37: I don’t know who/whom Sarah loved.
Example 38: There was a discussion as to who/whom (?) was better suited.
Technique: he/she was better suited/ NOT….. him/her was better suited. Here the pronoun he/she is the subject of the verb was.
Correct: There was a discussion as to who was better suited.
Example-39: The contest judges were told to give the prize to whomever drew the best picture. (A) to give the prize to whomever drew the best picture (B) to give the prize to whoever drew the best picture (C) to give whomever drew the best picture the prize (D) to give to whoever drew the best picture the prize. (E) to give the prize to whomever it was who drew the best picture
Errors in Verbs Followed by Verb Words
The following list consists of words & expressions that are followed by VERB WORD (the infinitive without to):
ask–requirement–prefer–demand–recommend–suggest–desire–recommendation–suggestion–insist–require–urge
Incorrect: She ignored the doctor’s recommendation that she stops smoking.
Correct: She ignored the doctor’s recommendation that she stop smoking.
i.e. ask–requirement–prefer–demand–recommend–suggest–desire–recommendation–suggestion–insist–require–urge + verb in the base form (without to)
Error in Ellipsis
ELLIPSIS is the technique of truncating a sentence by eliminating one or more words from a sentence keeping the original meaning of the sentence unchanged.
Example-40: She is not & does not intend to run for political office. (A) She is not and does not intend to run (B) She is not running and does not intend to (C) She is not and will not intend to run (D) She is not running and does not intend to run (E) She has not and does not intend to run This sentence contains an example of an ellipsis (the omission of a word or words from a sentence.)
Example-41: She had never run and does not intend to run.
Example-42: Baseball has and probably always will be the sport that symbolizes for people in other countries the American way of life.
Run-on Sentence
Never add two independent clauses by putting a comma between them, instead, use semicolon or full-stop.
Example-43: It is raining, I need a raincoat.
Example-44: Initially Bob was the group’s spokesman, afterwards it occurred to them that Jane was more articulate and more diplomatic. (A) afterwards, it occurred to them that (B) that wasn’t the best thing to do since (C) but they came to realize that (D) they concluded, however, that (E) then they decided that
Explanation: This sentence is an example of a run-on sentence, sentence, that is, a sentence which contains two independent clauses that are not properly joined together. The portion of this sentence before the comma is an independent clause, and the portion of the sentence after the comma is also an independent clause. A comma by itself is not sufficient to separate two independent clauses; rather, a coordinating conjunction like and, but, yet, for, or, or nor must be used between the comma and the second independent clause. Only choice (C) provides such a conjunction at the beginning of the second clause. Since “they came to realize” has virtually the same meaning as “it occurred to them” choice (C) is the correct answer. The main consideration here is that choices (A), (B), (D), and (E) are run-¬on sentences.
Gerund
Example-45: “Reading is his favourite pastime.”
Reading is used here as the subject of a verb and hence does the work of a noun. It is, therefore, a verb-noun and is called a gerund. Further examples of gerund:
1. Hunting tigers is a favourite sport in this country. 2. I like reading poetry. 3. He is fond of hoarding money.
A gerund is that form of the verb which ends in-ing and has the force of a noun and a verb.
Rule pronoun in the possessive case + gerund
Example: Although Peter had been looking forward to the debate for weeks, a sore throat prevented him taking part. No error
Errors in Modifying Countable and Noncountable Nouns
If a noun can be preceded by a number it is a countable noun and will be modified by these words: a few, many, more, some, few, fewer, number of
If a noun cannot be preceded by number, it is noncountable and will be modified by these words: amount of, little, less, some, a little, much, more
Incorrect: I was surprised by the large amount of people who came.
Correct: I was surprised by a large number of people who came.
Modifier
“Modifier should be placed beside the part that it modifies. “
Example-46: After stealing the watch, the police caught the thief.
Try to find errors in the following sentences:
1) After graduating from City College, his studies were continued at State University.
2) Returning to her room several pieces of jewellery were missing.
3) Having been delayed by heavy traffic, it was not possible for her to arrive on time.
4) Accustomed to getting up early, the new schedule was not difficult for him to adjust to.
SOLUTION: 1) After graduating from City College, he continued his studies at State University.
2) Returning to her room, she found that several pieces of jewellery were missing.
3) Having been delayed by heavy traffic, she arrived late.
4) Accustomed to getting up early, he had no difficulty adjusting to the new schedule.
Example-47: Riding in a coach and wearing the crown jewels, the crowd cheered the royal couple. (A) the crowd cheered the royal couple. (B) the royal couple was cheered the crowd.
Errors With Because
It is incorrect to say “The reason is because”- Use: The reason is that…..
Example-48: Incorrect: The reason he was rejected was because he was too young.
Correct: The reason he was rejected was that he was too young. Or, He was rejected because of his young age. Or, He was rejected because he was too young.
Appositive
An appositive is a noun phrase that explains another noun or noun phrase. It is placed before or after the noun or noun phrase that it explains.
Example- 49: Sweden, a Scandinavian country, offers a tuition-fee-free degree for international students.
Example-50: A Scandinavian country, Sweden offers a tuition-fee-free degree for international students.
Diction = Word choice
The wrong choice of “make” and “do”
Some common expressions with make
make advances in; make an attempt; make a comparison; make a contribution; make a decision; make a distinction; make a forecast; make an investment; make a plan; make a prediction; make a profit; make a promise; make an offer; make a suggestion;
make a law; make a point.
Some common expressions with do:
doing an assignment; do business with; do one’s duty; do a job; do research; do one’s research.
Wrong choice of like or alike
Example-51: Like A, B Like birds, mammals are warm-blooded
A, like B, Birds, like mammals, are warm-blooded
A is like B Birds are like mammals in that they are both warm-blooded.
A and B are alike === Birds and mammals are alike in that they are both warm-blooded.
Plural forms of numbers and measurements
Rule: 1. number + measurement in the singular form ( if used as an adjective) 2. number + measurement in the plural form ( if used as a noun)
Example-52: Rule 1- They went for a 6-mile walk. Rule 2-They walked 6 miles.
Similarly, Ten thousand, Six million dollars etc.
Wrong Use of Causative Verbs
Rule: 1. Causative verbs (have, let, make) + verb in the base form (without to). 2. help + verb without to/with to
Example-53: He had his driver wash the car. She let me go there What makes you come here? He helped me (to) take the charge.
“A number of” or “The number of”
Rule: A number of + plural; The number of + singular
Example – 54: A number of boys have reached early. (plural subject……… plural form verb)
The number of girls attending the meeting is ten. (singular subject……singular form verb)
Complement of Verbs
The following verbs take another verb as complements as infinitives (to + verb).
agree
hesitate
seem
attempt
hope
strive
claim
intend
tend
decide
learn
want
demand
need
wish
desire
offer
determine
plan
expect
prepare
fail
pretend
forget
refuse
Example – 55: We decided to join the meeting.
Place of the auxiliary verb in sentences starting with ‘Negative word, Only, So’
RULE: Sentences starting with Negative words / Only / So + auxiliary verb + Subject of the sentence (QUESTION ORDER, i.e. in the manner of forming a question)
Negative words list: not only; not until; not once; at no time; by no means; rarely; never; scarcely; nowhere; no sooner; seldom; hardly.
Example – 56: Seldom has he read this kind of book.
Expressions with Only: Only recently; Only once; Only in (on, at, by etc.)
Example – 57: Only recently has he resigned from the job.
So + adjective / participle + auxiliary verb (QUESTION ORDER)
Example – 58: So confusing was the map that we had to ask a police officer for directions.
Verb of senses
Verbs of senses (feel, look, smell, sound, taste) + adjective NOT adverb.
Example – 59: She feels bad today about your behaviour.
Word Form Problem
Some important word forms
Number + Percent BUT NOT Number + percentage
Example – 60: Seventy percent of the people voted.
The percentage of the people in the meeting was satisfactory.
Tell needs an object, but say does not need an object. Some common expressions with tell: tell a story, tell the truth, tell a secret, tell a lie.
Example – 61: He told me that he’d had a good trip. ( me– object)
He said that he’d had a good trip.
Live, + noun. Verb + alive.
Example – 62: He likes to have live plants in his room but his collected plants are not still alive.
Age…….. noun; old ……. adjective.
Example – 63: You will be thirty years of age next month (or at the age of thirty).
He is ten years old now.
Ago refers to a past incident from present period. Before refers to a past incident from past period.
Example – 64: He came two years ago, and four years before that, he earned his PhD degree.
Transitive & Intransitive verb
A transitive verb (raise, lay, set etc.) requires a complement after it; but an intransitive verb (rise, lie, sit etc.) does not require a complement after it.
Example – 65: Heavy rain raises the water level of the reservoir every spring. (complement: ‘the water level of the reservoir’ )
The water level rises when it rains every spring.
Affirmative agreement “So” and “Too”
so, too & also have the same meaning. But so is used in a sentence before the auxiliary verb, but too & also after the auxiliary verb.
Example – 66: He will talk to you and so will I. He will talk to you and I will too / also.
Collective Subjects
If the following collective subjects work group-wise they take a singular verb, but if the members of the group work individually then they will take plural subjects.
LIST: audience; majority; 2/3/4 million dollars; 2/3/4 hundred miles; band; orchestra; chorus; class; public; committee; series; faculty; staff; family; team; group; variety; jury; community.
BUT people, cattle, police always take a plural verb after them.
Example – 67: Incorrect: The jury is arguing over several issues concerning this case.
Correct: The jury are arguing over several issues concerning this case.
Incorrect: The jury have reached its decision.
Correct: The jury has reached its decision.
NOTE: Collective nouns may be either singular or plural, depending on meaning.
Example – 68: 1) The committee have carefully studied the proposal. (Committee is considered as separate individuals).
2) The committee has carefully studied the proposal. (Committee is considered as a unit.)
3) My family is large. My family is composed of ten members. They are loving and supportive. They are always ready to help me.
4) Our cricket team is winning. (cricket team is used as a group.) The team are coining back their homes. (The team is considered as individual members of a team.)
Compound Subject:
Compound subjects require plural verbs. Compound subjects (two or more nouns joined by and) require plural verbs.
Example – 69: Incorrect: The salespeople and their manager is in favour of the proposal. (Salespeople and manager are compound subjects of the verb, but it is singular. So, it is not correct.)
Correct: The salespeople and their manager are in favour of the proposal.
Incorrect: Received in the morning delivery was an ink cartridge and two reams of copy paper. (Ink cartridge and reams are the subjects; the verb must be plural.)
Correct: Received in the morning delivery were an ink cartridge and two reams of copy paper.
Word Use:
Misused words call attention to themselves and detract from the writing. The possibilities of error in word use are infinite; the following list contains only a few of the common errors of this kind.
Don’t Use
a long ways
and etc.
anywheres
continue on
different than
have got to
in back of
in hopes to
in regards to
inside of
kind of satisfied
nowhere near
over with
seldom ever
try and come
Use
a long way
etc.
anywhere
continue
different from
must
behind
in hope of
in regards to
within
somewhat satisfied
nowhere
over
seldom
try to come
Counting the uncountable;
We do not say one water, two waters, etc. but we can count it when it is stored in any container.
the number of litres/kilos:
a litre of milk…………two litres of milk
a kilo of potatoes…………two kilos of potatoes
the containers:
a bottle of water…………two bottles of water
a jar of jam……………..two jars of jam
the pieces:
a piece of advice………….two pieces of advice
a piece of bread…………..two pieces of bread
a piece of equipment …………….two pieces of equipment
a piece of furniture……………..two pieces of furniture
a piece of information ……………two pieces of information
a piece of jewellery …………….two pieces of jewellery
a piece of luggage ……………..two pieces of luggage
a piece of mail ………………two pieces of mail
a piece of music ……………two pieces of music
a piece of news …………….two pieces of news
a piece of toast …………..two pieces of toast
a piece of chocolate………………two pieces of chocolate
the item you buy:
a loaf of bread ……………two loaves of bread
a bar of chocolate …………….two bars of chocolate
a bar of soap……………….two bars of soap
Example – 70: 1. I’d like a glass of water, please. 2. Would you like a piece of cake? 3. Could I have a kilo of potatoes? 4. 1 need three litres of milk. 5. Don’t drink that cup of milk! There are two hairs in it.
English At Play
1. Comparing and contrasting
Supply the best word or words.
1. Two things are very alike, so you say they are the each other. a) same with b) same as c) same like
2. You like chocolate… a) and me too b) and I too c) and so do I d) and also I
3. ……a doctor, I must advise you to give up smoking. a) Like b)Else c)As
4. She said it……she meant it a) as b)like c) like as if d)as if
5. You play tennis ………… I do. a) better than b) more good than c) more good as d) better as e) more well
6. ….a lot of other people, we managed to survive the recession. a) Contrary to b) In contrast to c) On the contrary with
7. If you ……me, just say so. a) disagree with b) differ from c) differ with d) differ by
8. If you don’t like this one, try something. a) other b) more c) else d) another
9. There’s little to choose between them. They’re … a) equally nice b) equally as nice
10. The two models are exactly the same… a) in all cases b) in all respects c) in any event
11. How are you feeling today? …better, thank you. a) More b) Much c)Very d)Many
12. I’ve got a place at college… a) So I have b) So have I c) And I
13. Do it… a) like this b) like so c) so d) like this way
14. You’re not the only one who didn’t hour the news. I didn’t… a) neither b) also o) too d) either
15. How do you like London? a) I very much like b) I like very much,.c) I like it very much
2. Socializing, entertainment, etc.
Supply the most suitable words for the first list from the second list.
List 1
1. You look for this if you want to leave a cinema….
2. In Britain, it’s polite to open a present when you …it.
3. This is where you leave your coat at a theatre….
4. Your theatre ticket might say ‘… One’.
5. People who enjoy the company of others are…
6. Express your enthusiasm by shouting…
7. To be present…
8. A special day on the religious calendar…
9. A mixture of drinks, often alcoholic…
10. What you do when you say ‘yes’ to an invitation: …
11. If someone needed help, you might … them.
12. A popular person often has a busy … life.
13. At a … you are served alcoholic drinks and food.
14. You do this when you want to decline an invitation: …
15. The cost of entry to a cinema, for example: …
16. They put ‘No’ in front of this when you can’t go in: …
17. You do this to people who have never met: …
18. You can’t sit at a restaurant table if it says this: …
19. Someone is sitting in that seat. That seat is …
20. What you need if you’ve been overworking; …
21. A collection of clothes for all occasions: …
22. A large number of people leaving a place: …
23. Show your appreciation by clapping your hands: …
24. Permit someone to do something: …
25. Someone wants you to … a good hotel
26. You don’t know about something. You … all knowledge.
List 2
(a) accept
(b) admission
(c) admit
(d) admittance
(e) allow
(f) applaud
(g) assist
(h) attend
(i) cheer
(j) cloakroom
(k) cocktail
(l) cocktail party
(m) deny
(n) exit
(o) exodus
(p) festival
(q) holiday
(r) introduce
(s) occupied
(t) receive
(u) recommend
(v) refuse
(w) reserved
(x) sociable
(y) social
(z) wardrobe
3. What goes with what?
Suggest the words that go together. The first one has been done for you.
1. This verb goes in front of presents or guests…………….(receive)
2. This adjective goes in front of room, parts, or time.
3. You can … flowers or a meeting.
4. Two things you can do with money and time.
5. This noun comes after words like dinner or cocktail.
6. A … of applause.
7. You … a puzzle or a problem.
8. You play a game … the rules.
9. You can … a game or a trick.
10. You … flowers or fruit.
11. You go for a walk to … your legs.
12. What you do to a photo to make it bigger: … it.
13. Many people … things like stamps.
