BASIC GRAMMER ERRORS IN ENGLISH

1. Subject verb agreement errors

 If subject is Singular, the verb should be singular.

 If subject is plural, the verb should be plural.

2. When two or more subjects are joined by:

With, Together with, as well as, like, unlike, besides, in addition to, along
with, and not,
Rather than, no less than, expect, nothing but, The verb is according to
the first subject
However, when the subjects are connected by ‘not only-but also
,neither-nor, either-or, none-but, the verb is according to the nearest
subject.
3. Use of Few with Little: ‘Few’ is used for numbers Eg: There are few
cakes left
‘Little’ is used for quantity that cannot count individually. Eg: A little
water in the glass.
4. Use of Affect and Effect:
‘Affect’ is a verb, means- influence or have an impact on sth Eg:
Continuous attack of asthma has affected his health.
‘Effect’ is used as a noun to refer the result of being affected by sth Eg:
Excessive hard work in life had adverse effect on her health.
5. LOSE VS LOOSE:
‘Lose’ is a verb that means to be unable to find or fail to keep or hold or
to fail.
Eg: Do not lose hope.
‘Loose’ is an adjective which means not tightly attached,
like loose clothing.
6. BETWEEN VS AMONG:
‘Between’ is used for referring two persons/things.

7. ‘Among’ is used for referring more than two persons/things Some nouns
have one meaning in the Singular and another in the Plural:
Advice= Counsel Advices = information

Air = atmosphere Airs = proud

Good= wise Goods = property

Iron =metal Irons= Fetters, chains

Content = Satisfaction Contents = things

contained

Authority = command Authorities = persons

in power
Force = strength Forces = Army

Earning – income Earnings= sowings

WRONG CORRECT
Family members Members of family

Mathematics teacher Teacher of mathematics

 Cousins bro/sis Only cousin

Lecturer ship Lectureship

Boarding Boarding house

9. Articles are not used before the Material Noun/Abstract Noun.

Eg: The leather is used in making shoes.
10. Material Noun and Abstract Nouns are not used in Plurals.
Eg a) The building is made up of Bricks and Stones.
b) Cares of old is necessary.

11. When Proper noun is used as Common noun, we place

article ‘the’ before it.
Eg: Seema is the Ashwarya Rai of Chandigarh.
Mohan is the sachin of our school.

12. WE use Pronoun ‘it’ for – Non –living things, Collective

noun, young children (baby) and lower animals.
Eg: The baby started carrying when she/it was hungry.

13. Collective Nouns takes singular or Plural verbs depending

upon the condition.
United- Singular verb + Singular pronoun Divided- Plural verb + plural
pronoun Eg: The team is strong.
14. ‘Though’ is followed by ‘yet’ and not by ‘but’. Wrong:
Though he is poor but he is honest. Correct: Though he is poor yet he is
honest.
15. ‘Unless’ expresses a condition and is always used in the
negative sense.
Thus ‘not’ is never used with Unless.
16. When a number is followed by a noun denoting measure,
length, money, number or weight theseare not followed by another
 noun or pronoun, then they take plural form.
Eg : Million, Pair, Meter, Year, Dozen, foot Wrong: This scare is nine yard
long.
Right : This scare is nine yards long.

17. That’ should not be used before what, who, whose, whom,
how, when.
. “No sooner” is always followed by ‘did’.
9. Verb should not follow preposition.
0. For given time in future use ‘in’ not ‘after’.
1. Definite article ‘the’ follows only noun.
22. Two or more Singular Subjects connected by and usually
take a Verb in the Plural.
For example,
Incorrect- Hari and Ram is here. Correct- Hari and Ram are here.
23. If two Singular Nouns refer to the same person or thing, the
Verb must be Singular.
For Example
Incorrect- The Secretary and Principal are coming. Correct- The
Secretary and Principal is coming.
(Here the same person is Secretary as well as Principal)
24. If the Singular Subjects are preceded by each or every, the
Verb is usually singular.
For example,
Incorrect- Every boy and girl were ready. Correct- Every boy and girl was
ready.
25. Two or more Singular Subjects connected by or, nor, either
… or, neither…. nor take a Verb in the Singular.
For example,
Incorrect- Neither he nor I were there.
Correct- Neither he nor I was there.
. When the Subjects joined by ‘or/nor are of different numbers, the
Verb must be Plural, and the Plural Subject must be placed next to
 the Verb.
For example,
Incorrect – Neither the Assistant Masters nor the Headmaster was
present.
Correct- Neither the Headmaster nor the Assistant Masters were present.

27. When the Subjects joined by or, nor are of different

persons, the Verb agrees in person with the one nearest to it.
For example,
Incorrect– Either he or I is mistaken.
Correct– Either he or I, am mistaken.
28. A Collective Noun takes a Singular Verb when the
collection is thought of as a whole, a Plural Verb when the
individuals of which it is composed are thought of.
For example,
Correct– The Council has chosen the President.
Correct– The military were called out.
29. Some Nouns which are singular in form but plural in
meaning, take a Plural Verb.
For example,
Incorrect- Mathematics are a branch of study in every school.
Correct- Mathematics is a branch of study in every school.

30. Words joined to a Singular Subject by with, together with,

in addition to, or, as well as, etc. are parenthetical, and therefore do
not affect the number of the Verb.
For example,
Incorrect– The Chief, with all his men, were massacred .
Correct-The chief, with all his men, was massacred.
 31, When the Subject of the Verb is a Relative Pronoun care should
be taken to see that the Verb agrees in Number and Person with the
Antecedent of the relative.
For example,
Incorrect– I, who is your friend, will guard your interests.
Correct– I, who am your friend will guard your interests.
1. Ask, advise, allow, command, force, forbid, invite, encourage,
compel, beg, order, imagine, instruct, permit, persuade, tell,
require, remind, teach, etc. are followed by Object + To +V2
For example,
Incorrect– He advised to do it by me.
Correct- He advised me to do it. But if these are used in Passive Voice,
then they are followed by To +V,.
For example,
Correct- She was permitted to go with him.
32. Know is followed by how/ where/when/why and
Infinitive.
For example,
Incorrect– I know to write a letter.
Correct- I know how to write a letter.
33. After let, bid, behold, watch, see, feel, make etc. we use
Bare-Infinitive and not To- infinitive.
For example,

Incorrect– I heard him to speak on several subjects.

Correct- I heard him speak on several subjects.
 34. Bare Infinitive is used after Modal Auxiliaries (can, could,
may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, dare not, need not).
For example,Incorrect- You need not to work hard.
Correct- You need not work hard.
. ad better, had rather, had as soon … as …
, had sooner etc. are followed by Bare Infinitive.
For example,
Incorrect- He had better to go now.
Correct- He had better go now.
6. Conjunction than is also fol¬lowed by Bare Infinitive.
For example,
Incorrect- He had better read than to write.
Correct- He had better read than write.
37. When but is used as a Preposition and preceded by any
form of the Verb do, then butis followed with Bare Infinitive.
Incorrect– He did nothing but to wander.
Correct– He did nothing but wander.
. Every Participile must have a Subject of Reference.
For example,
Incorrect– Being a rainy day Vijay decided to stay at home.
Correct– It being a rainy day Vijay decided to stay at home.
39. For completed action Having + Va is used in Active Voice,
whereas Having + been + Va or Being
+ Va is used in Passive Voice. After should not be
used in such a sentence.
For example,
Incorrect– After the leader having been killed, the followers ran away.
Correct– The leader having been killed, the followers ran
way.

0. Participles like considering, judging, referring, concerning,

regarding, viewing, broadly speaking etc. do not take any Subject of
Reference.
For example,
 Correct – Considering the case, I took the decision.
Here I is not a Subject of Reference of considering. So, there is no Subject
of
Reference for ‘considering, still the sentence is Correct.
41. When there are two Subjects in a sentence and they are not
in the same Number, then we must have to use separate Auxiliaries
(is, are, am, was, were, have, has) for both of them.
Incorrect- Three- killed and one were injured. Correct- Three were killed
and one was injured.

42. A single Verb should be made to serve two Subjects, only

when the form of Verb is same for both the subjects.
Incorrect- I am seventeen years old and my sister fourteen. Correct- I am
seventeen years old and my sister is fourteen.
43. Two auxiliaries can be used with one principal Verb, only
when the form of theprincipal Verb is appropriate to both the
auxiliaries. ‘
Incorrect- He never has, and never will take such strong measures.
Correct- He never has taken, and never will take such strong measures.
44. When there is only one auxiliary to two principal Verbs it
should be correctly associated with the both.
Incorrect- Ten candidates have passed one failed.
Correct- Ten candidates have passed, one has failed.

5. A Past Tense in the main clause should be followed by a Past Tense

in the subordinate clause.
Incorrect- He succeeded because he works hard. Correct- He succeeded
because he worked hard.

6. MORE THAN ONE ADVERB

(a) I yesterday meticulously read the proof at home.
Rule: When we have more than one adverb in a sentence Sub + Verb
+ Object + Manner + Place + time
 Correct: I read the proof meticulously at home yesterday.

47. Beginning with Adverb of frequency(no. of time w.done),

follow Law of Inversion.
Sub + Verb + Object
LAW OF INVERSION SAYS: VERB(helping verb) + SUB +
verb + object.
Eg: Never I will see his face again.
Correct: Never will I see his face again.
Eg: Seldom he visited his parents. (NO helping verb)
Correct: Seldom did he visit his parents. (change the tense of main verb)

8. Sentence begin with So + Adverb of manner,

follow law of Inverse
Eg: So nicely he represented his skills that he was praised by everyone.
Correct : So nicely did he represent his skills that he was praised by
everyone.

49. ONE COMPARE TO MANY COMPARITIVE DEGREE

FOLLOWED BY : THAN +ANY + OTHER + NOUN(SINGULAR)
Eg: The students of Ambitious Baba are better than those of any other
institutes.

Correct : The students of Ambitious Baba are better than those of any
other institute.

ONE COMPARE TO MANY SUPERLATIVE DEGREE FOLLOWED BY :

ALL + THE + NOUN(PLURAL)
Eg: The times of India has the largest circulation of any other papers.
Correct : The times of India has the largest circulation of all the papers.
0. A Past Tense in main clause may be followed by a Present Tense in
the subordinate clause when the subordinate clause expresses a
universal truth.
Incorrect– Our teacher said that the earth moved round the sun.
Correct– Our teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

51. When the subordinate clause comes after ‘lest’, the

auxiliary Verb ‘should’ must be used, whatever be the Tense of the
Verb in the main clause.
Incorrect– We start early lest we shall miss the train.
Correct– We start early lest we should miss the train.

2. An Adverb or Adverbial phrase should not be placed between ‘to’

and verbal part of,the infinitive. (This is called the split infinitive).
Incorrect– I hoped to immediately reply to your letter:
Correct– I hoped to reply immediately to your letter.

53. An infinitive should be in the present tense unless it

represents’ an action prior to that of the governing Verb.
Incorrect– I should have liked to have gone- there.
Correct– I should have liked to go there.

54. Gerund if preceded by a Pr-o-noun, that Pronoun must be

in Possessive case.
Incorrect – He emphasised me going there.
Correct– He emphasised my go-ing there.

5. The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for an action that

began in the past time and still. going at the time of speaking~ It is
used with, Adverbials of time introduced by ‘since’, ‘for’ and ‘how
long.
Incorrect– How long are you working i~ this office?
 Correct– How long have you been working in this office?

56. A Verb when preceded by a Preposition must be the

Gerund.
Incorrect– They were punished for come late.
Correct– They were punished for, coming late.

57. The Future Indefinite Tense is not used in the clauses of

time, place and condition. Here the Present In¬definite Tense is
used.
Incorrect– I shall wait for you till you will finish your work.
Correct– I shall wait for you, till you finish your work.

58. The Present Perfect Tense is not used with the Adverbs of
past time like yesterday, in 1990 etc. Here Past Indefinite Tense is
used.
Incorrect~ I have bought a cycle yesterday.
Correct-I bought a cycle yesterday. The Past Perfect Tense is used to
represent
the earlier of the two past actions.
Incorrect– When I reached the station, the train already left.
Correct– When I reached the station, the train had already left.
9. Modal Auxiliaries are not used together. But two Auxiliaries can be
connected by a Conjunction.
For example,
Incorrect-He should must do it.
Correct– He should and must do it.

60. When need or dare is followed by not, it turns into modal

auxiliary. In that situation it takes Bare Infinitive ‘and we cannot
use needs not or dares not.
For example,
 Incorrect– He needs not do it.
Correct– He need not do it.

61. Adjectives of quantity show how much of a thing is meant.

Adjectives of quantity (some; much, little, enough, all, no, any, great,
half, sufficient, whole) are used for Uncountable Nouns only.
For example,
Incorrect-I ate a few rice.
Correct– I ate some rice.

62. Numeral Adjectives are used for Countable Noun only and
they show how many persons or
things are meant or in what order a person or thing stands,
For example,
Incorrect– I have taught you little things.
Correct– I have taught you a few things.

3. When cardinal and ordinal are used together ordinal preceds the
cardinal.
For example,
Incorrect– The four first boys will be given the chance.
Correct– The first four boys will be given the chance.

64. Later, latest refer to time, latter and last refer to position.
For example,
Incorrect– I reached at 10 am.But he was latter than I expected.
Correct– I reached at 10 am. But he was later than I expected,

65. Farther means more distant or advanced, further means

additional.
For example,
 Incorrect– He insisted on farther improvement.
Correct– He insisted on further improvement.

66. Each is used in speaking of two or more things, every is

used only in speaking of more than two.
For example,
Incorrect– Every of the two boys will get a prize.
Correct– Each of the two boys will get a prize.
67. To express quantity or degree some is used in affirmative
sentences, any in negative or interrogative sentences.

For example,.
Incorrect– Have you bought some mangoes?
Correct– Have you bought any mangoes?

8. In comparing two things, the Comparative should be used, The

Superlative should not be used.
Incorrect– Which is the best of the two?
Correct– Which is the better of the two?

69. When two qualities of the same person or thing are

compared,the Comparative in-er is not used. ‘More’ is used for this
purpose.
Incorrect– He is wiser than brave.
Correct– He is more wise than brave.

70. When comparison is made by means of a comparative, the

thing compared should be excluded from the class of things with
which it is compared by using
‘other’ or some such word.
Incorrect– He is cleverer than any boy in the class.
 Correct– He is cleverer than any other boy in the class.
71. When comparison is made by means of a superlative, the
thing com-pared should include the class of things with which it is
compared.
Incorrect– He is the strongest of all other men.

Correct– He is the strongest of all men.

72. When two persons or things are compared, it is important
that the same parts of things should be compared.

Incorrect– The population of Bombay is greater than Delhi. Correct–

The population of Bombay is greater than that of Delhi.

73. Double comparatives and superlatives should not be used.

1. Incorrect– He is the most cleverest boy in the class.
Correct– He is the cleverest boy in the class.
2. Incorrect– He is more wiser than his brother.
Correct– He ‘is wiser than his brother.

76. The comparative Adjectives superior inferior, senior,

junior, prior, anterior, posterior prefer, etc., should be followed by
‘to’ instead of ‘than’.
Incorrect– He is senior than me.
Correct– He is senior to me.
77. Adjectives like ‘unique’, ideal, perfect, complete, universal,
entire, extreme, chief, full square and round, which do not admit
different degrees of comparison should not be compared.
Incorrect– It is the most unique thing.

Correct– It is a unique thing.

. All the Adjectives which refer to the same Noun should be in the
same degree of comparison.
Incorrect– He is the wisest and honest worker in the office. Correct– He
is the wisest and most honest worker in the office.

79. ‘Elder’ and ‘eldest’ should be used for persons only, strictly
speaking, they are used for the members of the same family only.
‘Older’ and ‘oldest’ are used for both persons and things.
Incorrect– He is my older brother.
Correct– He is my elder brother.

80. To modify a Verb, an Adjective or another Adverb, we use

an Adverb.
Incorrect– She writes very careful.
Correct– She writes very carefully. Carefully is an Adjective which
cannot modify the Adverb very, therefore carefully (Adverb) must be
used in place of Adjective careful.

81. Too means more than required and it is used with

Unpleasant Adjective. So, we cannot use too glad, too happy, too
pleasant, too healthy.
For example,
Incorrect– I am too glad to meet you.
Correct– I am very glad to meet you.
. Farther means more distant or advanced;further means additional.
For example,
Incorrect- He insisted on farther improvement. Correct- He insisted on
further improvement.

83. Each is used in speaking of two ormorethings, every is used

only in speaking of morethan two.
For example,
Incorrect- Every of the two boys will get aprize. Correct- Each of the two
boys will get a prize.

84. To express quantity or degree some is used in affirmative

sentences, any in negative or interrogative sentences.
For example,.
Incorrect- Have you bought some mangoes? Correct- Have you bought
any mangoes?

85. In comparing two things, the Comparative should be used,

The Superlative should not be used.
Incorrect- Which is the best of the two? Correct- Which is the better of
the two?

86. When two qualities of the same person or thing are

compared,the Comparative in-er is not used. ‘More’ is used for this
purpose.
Incorrect- He is wiser than brave. Correct- He is more wise than brave.

87. Ago is always used with Past Indefinite Tense. So, if ago is
used in a sentence, that sentence must be in the Past Indefinite
Tense.
 For example,
Incorrect– He has come a month ago.
Correct– He came a month ago.
. At present,means at this moment and it is used with Present Tense,
whereas presently and shortly are used for future’ action and
generally’ used with Future Indefinite Tense.
For example,
Incorrect– Presently he is in the room.
Correct– At present he is in the room.

9. Early means “just after the beginning of

anything” and soon means just after a point of time.
For example, Roses blossomed early this spring.

90. The sentence which starts with seldom, never. hardly.

rarely or scarcely takes an inverse structure, Le., Verb + Subject –
Structure.
For example,
Incorrect– Seldom I had seen such a beautiful sight.
Correct– Seldom had I seen such a beautiful sight.

91. Inversion is also used in a sentence which starts with

here/there/ away/out/up/indoor or outdoor and Main Verb, or
Aux + Main Verb is used before the Subject.
For example,

Incorrect– Away Sita went

 Correct– Away went Sita.

. Two Conjunctions should not be used in the same sentence.

Incorrect– Although she was tired, but she still went on working.
Correct– Although she was tired, she still went on working.

93. ‘Both’ should be followed by ‘and’. It should be used in the

positive sense. In the negative
sense, ‘neither’ …..
.’nor• should be used in place of ‘both’.
Incorrect– Both Ravi as well as Raja were present there.
Correct– Both Ravi and Raja were present there.

94. ‘Either … or’, ‘neither …. nor: ‘both and’, ‘not only but also’
should be followed by the same parts of speech.
Incorrect– He not only lost his ticket, but also his luggage.
Correct– He lost not only his ticket but also his luggage.
95. ‘Neither’ should be followed , by ‘nor’, ‘either’ should be
followed by ‘or’. Both these should not be con¬fused.
Incorrect– He washed neither his hands or his face.
Correct– He washed neither his hands nor his face.

96. ‘No sooner’ should be fol¬lowed by ‘than’, not by ‘but’ or

‘then’.

Incorrect– No sooner do I finish this book then I shall begin another.

Correct– No sooner do I finish the book, than I shall begin another
. ‘Hardly’ and ‘scarcely’ should be followed by ‘when’ or ‘before’, but
not by ‘than’ or ‘that’.
Incorrect– Hardly did I reach the station, than the train left it.
Correct– Hardly did I reach the station when the train left it.

98. ‘That’ should not be used before a sentence in Direct

Speech and before Interrogative Adverbs and Pronouns in the
Indirect Speech.
Incorrect– He said that, “I shall go there.”
Correct– He said, “I shall go there”.
Incorrect– He asked me that who I was.
Correct– He asked me who was.

99. Objective case (of Noun or• Pronoun) is used after

Preposition.
For example,
Incorrect– I do not depend on he.
Correct– I do not depend on him.
100. The Prepositions used after two words must be made clear
if these two words are connected by and or or.
For example,

Incorrect– She is conscious and engaged in her work.

Correct– She is conscious of and engaged in her work.

1. If a Principal Verb is used after about, after, at, before. for, from, in,
on. to, that Verb must be in ing (V4) form.
For example,
Incorrect– You prevented me from do it.
 Correct– You prevented me from doing it.

102. A Noun or Pronoun governing a Gerund should be put in

the possessive case.
Incorrect– Please excuse me being late.
Correct– Please excuse my being late.

103. A Pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person,

number and gender.
Incorrect– Each of these boys has done their homework.
Correct– Each of these boys has done his homework.

104. When two or more Singular Nouns are joined by ‘and’, the
Pronoun used for them must be in Plural.
Incorrect– Both Raju and Ravi have done his homework.
Correct– Both Raju and Ravi have done their homework.
105. When two or more Singular Nouns joined by ‘and’ refer to
the same person or thing, a Pronoun used for them must be in the
singular.
Incorrect– The collector and District Magistrate is not negligent in their
duty.
Correct– The collector and District Magistrate is not negligent in his duty

6. When two or more singular nouns joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, ‘either …

or’, ‘neither .. nor’, the Pronoun used for them should be in the
singular.
Incorrect– Neither Ravi nor Raju has done their homework.
Correct– Neither Ravi nor Raju has done his homework.

107. When two or more singular Pronouns of different persons

come together, the Pronoun of second per¬son singular (you)
 comes first, the pronoun of the first person singular (I) comes last
and the pronoun of the third person singular (he) comes in
between.
Incorrect– I, You and he must work together ..
Correct– You, he and I must work together.

108. When two or more plural Pro-nouns of different persons

come together first person plural (we) comes first, then second
person plural (you) and last of all third person plural (they).
Incorrect– You, they and we must work together ..
Correct– We, you and they must work together.

109. The Relative Pronoun who is in subjective case, whereas

whom is in objective case. Therefore, for who there must be a Finite
Verb in the sentence. Or otherwise, when whom (Object) is used in
the sentence and there is more Finite Verb’s than the number of
Subjects in the sentence, then whom should be changed into who
(Subject).
Incorrect– The doctor whom came here was Ram’s brother.
Correct– The doctor who came here was Ram’s brother

110. With Superlative Degree Adjective, only, none, all etc., as

Relative Pronoun we use that and not which or who.

Incorrect– All which glitters is not gold.

Correct– All that glitters is not gold.

111. After let, if a Pronoun is used, that Pronoun must be in the

Objective Case.
For example,
Incorrect– Let he go there.
 Correct– Let him go there.

112. When two singular subjects are connected by or, use a

singular verb. The same is true for either/or and neither/nor.
Example– John or Mary is coming tonight. Either coffee or tea is fine.
Neither John nor Mary was late.

113. Adjectives usually come before a noun (except when a verb

separates the adjective from the noun).
Example– I have a big dog.
She married a handsome Italian man. (Her husband is rich.)

114. When using two or more adjectives together, the usual

order is opinion-adjective + fact-adjective + noun. (There are some
additional rules for the order of fact adjectives.)
Example– I saw a nice French table.
That was an interesting Shakespearian play.

115. Treat collective nouns (eg committee, company, board of

directors) as singular OR plural. In BrE a collective noun is usually
treated as plural, needing a plural verb and pronoun. In AmE a
collective noun is often treated as singular, needing a singular verb
and pronoun.

Example– The committee are having sandwiches for lunch. Then they
will go to London. (typically BrE)
The BBC have changed their logo. (typically BrE) My family likes going
to the zoo. (typically AmE) CNN has changed its logo. (typically AmE)

6. The words its and it’s are two different words with
different meanings.
 Example– The dog has hurt its leg. He says it’s two o’clock.

7. Present Tense and Present Continuous

Present Tense – I watch TV every day
The present tense refers to something that happens daily. In other words,
it is a habit.
Present Continuous – I am watching TV now
The present continuous tense refers to an action that is taking place at
the present moment

8. Past Tense and Present Perfect

Past Tense – I ate ice cream yesterday
The past tense refers to something that happened yesterday. The verb
ate indicates the past tense of the irregular verb eat.
Present Perfect – I have eaten ice cream many times
The present perfect tense refers to an action that has begun in the past
but connected to the present. It is formed using the past participle , eaten.

9. Simple Future and Immediate Future

Simple Future – I will study music in university
The simple future is a way of expressing something that will happen in
the future
Immediate Future – I am going to study music in university
The simple future is a way of expressing something that is planned to
happen in the future

0. Present Tense and Present Progressive

Present Tense – I am a great dancer
The present tense refers to a present condition. Present Progressive –
I am dancing to music. The present progressive expresses an action that
is happening right now.
 121. Regular Verbs and Irregular Verbs There are 2 types of
verbs in the English language; Regular Verbs and Irregular Verbs. Most
verbs are regular.
Regular Verbs have a pattern
Jane plays with the doll.
Jane played with the doll yesterday. Jane is playing with the doll.
Jane like to play with the doll.

122. Irregular Verbs do not have a regular pattern. The best

way to learn irregular verbsis through practice.
Do not to memorize lists of irregular verbs. This is a waste of time and
energy.
Jane eats fish.
Jane ate fish yesterday.
Jane had eaten fish everyday after moving to Thailand. Jane is eating fish
right now.

123. Subject Pronouns vs. Object Pronouns vs. Possessive

Pronouns
The role of pronouns fall in to 3 different categories. Subject pronouns,
object pronouns and possessive pronouns.
Let’s the take the example, Richard swims.
Richard is the subject pronoun as he is the one who swims You can also
say, he swims, referring to Richard. In this case,
Richard is replaced with the pronoun he. This is an object pronoun.
A possessive pronoun shows relationship or ownership.

Ben is talking about Richard’s swim.

124. Use of ‘whose’ and ‘which’: ‘Whose’ is used for living

persons and ‘which’ for lifeless objects.
Examples:
(a) Whose artwork is this?
(b) Which fictional character do you like the most?

125. Certain nouns always take a singular verb. Scenery, advice,

information, machinery, stationery, furniture, abuse, fuel, gram,
issue, bedding, repair, news, poetry, business, economics, physics,
mathematics, classics, ethics, innings.
Examples:
(a) The scenery of Shimla is enchanting.
(b) She has given advice.

126. ‘a’ is used before a consonant. Examples:

(a) Here is a University, which offers courses in Communication
Management
(b) A European couple lives in my neighborhood.

127. ‘Very’ is used with adjectives in the positive degree and

with present participles.
Examples:
a) She is a very intelligent girl.
b) It is a very interesting movie.
128. When the plural subject denotes a definite amount or
quantity taken as a whole, the verb is singular.
Examples:

a) Fifty miles is a good distance.

b) Three-fourths of the movies was boring.

129. If a pronoun comes after a preposition it should be used in

the objective case. Example:
a) Between you and me neither of us is responsible for that
mess
 130. Relative pronoun ‘that’ is used in preference to ‘who’ or
‘which’ after adjectives in the superlative degree. Examples:
a) This is the best that I can do for you.
b) The finest man that I have ever met with is you.
131. When two qualities of a person are compared using ‘more’
or ‘less’ before the adjective,
then the adjective following them takes positive degree. Example:
a) Shikha is more beautiful than intelligent.

2. ‘no other’ should be followed by ‘than’.

Examples:
a) That night, I saw no other girl than Riya.
b) Ram has no other option than stay at home.
133. While expressing quality of the subject, an adjective is used
with the verb.
Example:
a) The bouquet smelt sweet.
134. Some nouns are used as plural nouns and always take a
plural verb.
Cattle, gentry, peasantry, artillery, people, clergy, company, police.
Examples:
(a) The people are watching us.
(b) The police are in the house.

135. Use of ‘each other’ and ‘one another’ : ‘Each other’ is used
when there are two subjects or objects and ‘one another’ when
there are more than two.
Examples:
(a) Those five boys, who are playing football, hate one another.
(b) Sneha and Smita are the best friends; they always stand for each
other.
 136. Use of little, a little, the little: ‘Little’ means ‘hardly any’.
Examples:
(a) There is little hope of his coming back.
(b) A little knowledge is good for nothing.
(c) The little milk that is left in the container may be used for making
tea.

37. ‘No sooner’ should be followed by ‘than’.

Example:
(a) No sooner had the singer entered the stage than the audience started
to applause.

138. Words like ‘hour’, ‘honest’, ‘heir’, etc. take ‘an’ before them
as they begin with a vowel sound.
Example:
(a) I have been watching television for an hour.
39. Use of elder, older:
‘Older’ refers to persons as well as things and is followed by ‘than’.

Examples:
(a) Sita is five year older that Gita.
(b) Sita is the elder sister of Gita.
140. Use of ‘than’: Generally ‘than’ is used in the comparative
degree, but with words like
superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, prefer ‘to’ is used.
Examples:
(a) Mita is senior to Mohini.
(b) After having dinner, I prefer walking to sleeping.

141. In some cases, the comparison must be given proper

attention.
Examples:
(a) The climate of Mumbai is better than the climate of Delhi.
Or
(a) The climate of Mumbai is better that that of Delhi.
(b) The summer in Delhi is hotter than that of Mumbai.

142. Use of ‘Many a’ : ‘Many a’ is always followed by the singular

verb.
Example:
(a) Many a man was dressed in blue.

143. Verb while joining two subjects : When ‘as well as’, ‘along
with’, ‘together with’, ‘no less than’, ‘in addition to’, and ‘not’ and
‘with’ join two subjects, the verb should be according to the first
subject.
Examples:
(a) Ram, as well as his five friends, has gone for the picnic.
(b) The teacher, along with the students, is also going for the picnic.