Rules on Spotting Error in English Grammar Part 1

Dear Readers,

As you all know that Spotting Errors type of questions is the most important
part of the SSC Exams. So we are providing you the Spotting Errors rules
Part I. These rules will be helpful for your upcoming Exams 2016. If you like
it let us know.

1. No sooner is followed by than

(i) No sooner had I entered the class when the students stood up.
(Incorrect)
(ii) No sooner had I entered the class than the students stood
up. (Correct)

Note: The Sentence Form must be past perfect or past indefinite

2. 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.

Example:
(i) More than employees were killed in the accident. (Incorrect)
(ii) More than one employee was killed in the accident. (Correct)

3. It is common practice in conversation to make statement and ask for

confirmation; as , it is very hot, isnt it? Two points are to be kept in mind. If
the statement is positive, the pattern will be

Auxiliary + nt + Subject

If the statement is negative, the pattern will be

Auxiliary + subject

Example:
(i) It is raining, is it? (Incorrect)
(ii) It is raining isnt it? (Correct)
(iii) You are not busy, arent you? (Incorrect)
(iv) You are not busy, are you? (Correct)

4. The two firstis a meaningless expression for it implies that two things
may be first. We should say the first two.

Example:
(i) The two first chapters of novel are dull. (Incorrect)
(ii) The first two chapters of the novel are dull. (Correct)

5.Only should be placed immediately before the word it qualifies.

Example:
(i) He only lost his ticket in the stampede. (Incorrect)
(ii) Only he lost his ticket in the stampede. (Correct)

6. An infinitive verb should not be split.

Example:
(i) I request you to kindly help me. (Incorrect)
(ii) I request you kindly to help me. (Correct)

7. Care should be taken in the use of

Example:
(i) The doctor saw the pulse of the patient. (Incorrect)
(ii) The doctor felt the pulse of the patient. (Correct)

8. Scarcely should be followed by when, not by than.

(i) Scarcely had he arrived than he had to leave again. (Incorrect)

(ii) Scarcely had he arrived when he had to leave again. (Correct)

9. Till is used of time and to is used of place.

(i) The office will remain open to six in the evening. (Incorrect)
(ii) The office will remain open till six in the evening. (Correct)

10. The preposition off denotes separation, at a distance from or far

from whereas the preposition of denotes cause, origin, quality, possession.
(i) He put of his coat. (Incorrect)
(ii) He put off his coat. (Separation) (Correct)
(iii) He died off cancer. (Incorrect)
(iv) He died of cancer. (Cause) (Correct)

11. Beside means by the side of while besides means in additions to.

(i) He sat besides the chair. (Incorrect)

(ii) He sat beside the chair. (Correct)

12. Between is used for only two things or persons while among is used for
more than two.

(i) You have to choose among tea and coffee. (Incorrect)

(ii) You have to choose between tea and coffee. (Correct)

13. Above and below merely denote position while over and under also carry
a sense of covering or movement.

(i) The bird flew above the lake. (Incorrect)

(ii) The bird flew over the lake. (Correct)

14. During is used when we are talking about the time within which
something happens. For is used when we are talking about how long
something lasts.

(i) There were few incidents of irregularity for the Emergency

years. (Incorrect)
(ii) There were few incidents of irregularity during the Emergency
years. (Correct)

15. There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money, weight or
number. When they are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged in
form.

Foot, meter, pair, score, dozen, head, year, hundred, thousand, million

(i) It is a three years degree course. (Incorrect)

(ii) It is a three year degree course. (Correct)
16. Some nouns are always used in a plural form and always take a plural
verb.

Trousers, scissors, spectacles stockings, shorts measles, goods, alms,

premises, tidings, annals, chattels, etc.

Example:

(i) Where is my trouser? (Incorrect)

(ii) Where are my trousers? (Correct)

17. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gender.

Example:

(i) Every man must bring his luggage.

(ii) All students must do their home work.
(iii) Each of the girls must carry her own bag.

18. The pronoun one must be followed by ones.

Example:

(i) One must finish his task on time. ( Incorrect)

(ii) One must finish ones task on time ( Correct)

19. Whose is used for living persons and which for lifeless objects.

Example:

(i) Which photograph is lying here? ( Incorrect)

(ii) Whose photograph is living there? ( Correct)

20. Use of less and fewer

Example:

Less denotes quantity and fewer denotes number.

(i) No less than fifty persons were (In correct)

(ii) No fewer than fifty people were (Correct)
21.One of always takes a plural noun after it.

Example:

(i) It is one of the most important day in my life. (Incorrect)

(ii) It is one of the most important days in my life. (Correct)

22. Use of not only and but also examine the sentences given below.

Example:

(i) He not only comes for swimming but also for coaching the
learners. (Incorrect)
(ii) He comes not only for swimming but also for coaching the
learners. (correct)

23. Adverb as' is not used with verbs like appointed, elected ,
considered, called but it is used with regard.

Example:
(i) I regard Ramesh my friend (Incorrect)
(ii) I regard Ramesh as my friend (Correct)

24. The case of the noun or pronoun preceding or succeeding the verb
to be should be the same.

Example:

(i) It is him who came to see us. (Incorrect)

(ii) It is he who came to see us. (Correct)
(iii) It is me who caught the thief . (Incorrect)
(iv) It is I who caught the thief. (Correct)

25. Neither is followed by nor, not by

(i) The phone neither went dead or worked properly. (Incorrect)

(ii)The phone neither went dead nor worked properly. Correct)

Rules on Spotting Error in English Grammar Part 2

Dear Readers,
As you all know that Spotting Errors type of questions is the most important
part of the SSC Exams. So we are providing you the Spotting Errors rules
Part II. These rules will be helpful for your upcoming SSC Exams 2016. If
you like it let us know.
In our earlier article we have covered the first part of spotting the error
rules. Now we will proceed with the second part of "Spotting the Errors
rules".
26. Some nouns have one meaning in the singular and another in the
plural:
Advice = counsel advice's = information

Air = atmosphere, airs = proud

Authority = command, authorities = persons in power

Good = wise, 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

Work = job, works = compositions, factories,.

Earning = income ,earnings = sowing

Quarter = one fourth ,quarters = houses

Examples
(A) Air is necessary for human life.
(B) It is bad to put on airs.
(A) I have eaten one quarter of the cake.
(B) I live in the government quarter
27. While using everybody everyone, anybody, and each the
pronoun of the masculine or the feminine gender is used according to
the content.

Each of the six boys in the class has finished their tasks. Incorrect

Each of the six boys in the class has finished his task. Correct

28. The pronoun one must be followed by ones.

One must finish his task in time. Incorrect

One must finish ones task in time. Correct

29. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, 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 pronouns.

He absented from the class. Incorrect

He absented himself from the class. Correct

30. Who denotes the subject and whom is used for the object?

Whom do you think won the award? Incorrect

Who do you think won the award? Correct

Who are you talking to? Incorrect

Whom are your talking to? Correct

31. Whose is used for living persons and which for lifeless objects.

What book do you read? Incorrect

Which book do you read? Correct

32. When denotes a general sense and while implies a time duration of
doing something.
 When learning how to sing, technique is of utmost
importance. Incorrect

While learning how to sing, technique is of utmost importance. Correct

33. Unless expresses a condition and is always used in the negative sense.
Thus not is never used with unless.

Unless you do not work hard, you will not excel in the
examination. Incorrect

Unless you work hard, you will not excel in the examination. Correct

34. Though is followed by yet and not by but.

Though he is poor but he is honest. Incorrect

Though he is poor, yet he is honest. Correct

35. An infinitive verb should never be split.

I request you to kindly tell me. Incorrect

I request you kindly to tell me. Correct

36. Some is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or degree.

Any is used in negative or interrogative sentences.

I shall buy some

I shall not buy any

Have you bought any apples?

But some may be correctly used in interrogative sentences which are, in

fact, requests.

Will you please give me some milk? Correct

I shall read any Incorrect

 I shall read some book. Correct

Have you bought some apples? Incorrect

Have you bought any apples? Correct

37. Use of less and fewer

Less denote quantity and fewer denote number.

No less than fifty persons were killed. Incorrect

No fewer than fifty persons were killed. Correct

There are no fewer than five liters of water in the jug. Incorrect

There are no less than five liters of water in the jug. Correct

38. Use of little, a little, the little.

Little means hardly any

There is a little hope of his recovery. Incorrect

There is little hope of his recovery. correct

A little means some, though not much.

Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Incorrect

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Correct

The little means not much but all there is.

The 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

39. Use of elder, older.

Older refers to persons as well as things and is followed by than.

Ram is elder than all other boys of this area. Incorrect

 Ram is older 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

40. Normally than is used in the comparative degree, but with words
likesuperior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior and prefer
to is used.

Shelley is junior than Wordsworth. Incorrect

Shelley is junior to Wordsworth. Correct

I prefer reading than sleeping. Incorrect

I prefer reading to sleeping. Correct

Thats how Spotting Error questions are solved easily. We will be providing
you with a short quiz based on the above rules shortly!!

RULES AND EXAMPLES

1. Some nouns always take a singular verb.

Scenery, advice, information, machinery, stationery, furniture, abuse, fuel, rice,
gram, issue, bedding, repair, news, mischief, poetry, business, economics,
physics, mathematics, classic, ethics, athletics, innings, gallows.
(A) The scenery of Kashmir
are enchanting. (Incorrect)
(B) The scenery of Kashmir is enchanting. (Correct)
(A) He has given advices. (Incorrect)
(B) He has given advice. (Correct)
(A) The Indian team defeated the English by innings. (Incorrect)
(B) The Indian team defeated the English by an innings. (Correct)
(A) Mathematics are a difficult subject. (Incorrect)
(B) Mathematics is a good / 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 below can be followed:
(A) I have a lot of news to tell you. (Incorrect)
(B) He has sold many pieces of his furniture. (Correct)

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.
(A) The cattle is grazing in the ground. (Incorrect)
(B) The cattle are grazing in the ground. (Correct)
(A) The clergy is in the church. (Incorrect)
(B) The clergy are in the church. (Correct)

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 a costly item. Incorrect
(B) Spectacles are now a costly item. Correct

4. There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money, weight
or number. When they are preceded by a numeral, they remain
unchanged in form.
Foot, meter, pair, score, dozen, head, year, hundred, thousand, million.
(A) It is a three years degree course. Incorrect
(B) It is a three year degree course. Correct
(A) I have ten dozens of shoes. Incorrect
(B) I have ten dozen of shoes. Correct
5. Collective nouns such a jury, public, team, committee, government,
audience, orchestra, company, etc. are used both as singular; otherwise
the verb will be plural
(A) The jury was divided in this case. Incorrect
(B) The jury were divided in this case. Correct
(A) The team have not come as yet. Incorrect
(B) The team has not come as yet. Correct

6. Some nouns have one meaning in the singular and another in the
plural:
Advice = counsel advices = information
Air = atmosphere airs = proud
Authority = command, authorities = persons in power
Good = wise 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
Work = job works = compositions, factories,.
Earning = income earnings = sowings
Quarter = one fourth quarters = houses
Examples
(A) Air is necessary for human life.
(B) It is bad to put on airs.
(A) I have eaten one quarter of the cake.
(B) I live in the government quarters.

7. People are often confused or they commit mistake in the use of

certain nouns.
(A) Lecturership is wrong: lectureship is correct.
(a) There are twenty candidates for lecturership. Incorrect
(b) There are twenty candidates for lectureship. Correct
(B) Freeship is wrong; free studentship is correct.
(a) Ramesh has applied for freeship. Incorrect
(b) Ramesh has applied for free studentship. Correct
(C) Boarding is wrong; boarding house is correct.
(a) Mohan lives in a boarding. Incorrect
(b) Mohan lives in a boarding house. Correct
(D) Family members is wrong; members of the family is correct.
(a) Vivek and Ramesh are my family members. Incorrect
(b) Vivek and Ramesh are the members of my family. Correct
(E) English teacher is wrong; the teacher of English is correct.
(a) Dr. Raina is our English teacher. Incorrect
(b) Dr. Raina is our teacher of English. Correct
(F) Cousin brother or sister is wrong; only cousin is correct.
(a) Geeta is my cousin sister. Incorrect
(b) Geeta is my cousin. Correct
(G) Room in a compartment or a bench means unoccupied set.
(a) There is no room on this bench. Correct
(H) Our, yours, hers, theirs are correct.
(a) This house is ours. Incorrect
(b) This house is ours. Correct
Note: The same principle applies to yours , hers and theirs.
(I) Wages means punishments when used in singular.
(a) The wages of sin is death.
(J) It also means charges for the labour when used in plural sense.
(b) The wages of daily workers have been raised.

8. Also remember the subtle difference in the usage of these pairs of

nouns
(A) The noun habit applies only to an individual whereas custom applies to a
society or country.
(a) Poor children often become a victim of bad habits.
(b) Tribal in India have many interesting customs.
(B) Cause product a result, while reason explains or justifies a cause.
(a) Scientists try to find out the cause of a phenomenon.
(b) You have a good reason to be pleased with your students.
(C) Man is used in ordinary sense while gentleman is a man of character.
(a) Man is mortal.
(b) He is a gentleman at large.
(D) Men plural of man: people is used for persons.
(a) There are five men in the room.
(b) The people of Bihar are simple.
(E) Shade a place sheltered from the sun; shadow the shade of a distinct
form or object.
(a) The villagers sat under the shade of trees.
(b) He is even afraid of his own shadow.
(F) Cost amount paid by the shopkeeper; price amount paid by the
customer.
(a) The cost of production of automobile items has gone up.
(b) Sometimes the buyers have to pay higher price for necessary items.
(G) House a building to live in: Home ones native place.
(a) Quarters area houses allotted to us for a definite period.
(b) My home town is Muzaffapur.
(H) House a building to live in; Home ones native place.
(a) The shopkeepers welcome customer with smiles.
(b) The lawyer discusses the cases of his clients.

9. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and

gender.

For example:
Every man must bring his luggage.
All students must do their home work.
Each of the girls must carry her own bag.
Each students must bring their books.
Each student must bring his books.
10. While using everybody everyone, anybody, and each 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 he tries.
Each of the six boys in the class has finished their tasks.
Incorrect
Each of the six boys in the class has finished his task.
Correct

11. The pronoun one must be followed by ones.

One must finish his task in time. Incorrect
One must finish ones task in time. Correct

12. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, 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 pronouns.
He absented from the class.
He absented himself form the class.

13. Who denotes the subject and whom is used for the object?
Whom do you think won the award? Incorrect
Who do you think won the award? Correct
Who area you talking to? Incorrect
Whom are your talking to? Correct

14. When two or more singular nouns are joined together by either or;
neither nor, ; and or, the pronoun is singular.
Either Ram or Shyam will give their book. Incorrect
Either Ram or shyam will give his book. Correct
15. When a singular and a plural noun are joined by or, nor, the
pronoun must be plural.
Either the engineer or his mechanics failed in his duty. Incorrect
Either the engineer or his mechanics failed in their duty. Correct

16. Whose is used for living persons and which for lifeless objects.
Which book did you select? Incorrect
Whose photograph is lying there? Correct
What book do you read? Incorrect
Which book do you read? Correct

17. Each other is used when there are two subjects or objects and one
another when there are more than two.
Rameo and Juliet loved each other
Those five friends, who are sitting there, love one another.
All the students of the class are friendly; they love each other. Incorrect
All the students of the class are friendly. Correct

18. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it must be in the

singular number and in the neuter gender if the collective noun is
viewed as a whole.
The jury gave its verdict.
Here the jury gives the idea of one whole.
If the collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the
whole, the pronoun standing for it must be plural.
The jury were divided in their opinions.
Here, the jury gives the idea of several individuals.
The team are divided in this opinion about playing on Sunday. Incorrect
The team are divided in their opinion about playing on Sunday. Correct

19. If pronouns of different persons are to be used together in a

sentence, the serial order of persons should be as follows; second
person + third + first person in a good normal sentences. But in fault is
to be confessed, the order will be; first person + second person + third
person. RULE-231
You, he and I have finished the work. Normal sentences
I, you and he are to blame. Confession [memory tool-Put urself first in bad
sense/bad works :)] Ram, I and you have finished our studies. Incorrect
You, Ram and I have finished our studies. Correct

20. Some is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or

degree. Any is uses in negative or interrogative sentences.
I shall buy some apples.
I shall not buy any apples.
Have you bought any apples?
But some may be correctly used in interrogative sentences which are, in fact,
requests.
Will you please give me some milk?
I shall read any book. Incorrect
I shall read some book. Correct
Have you bought some apples? Incorrect
Have you bought any apples? Correct

21. The 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 some at least. It is the opposite of none. The few means
whatever there is.
A few men are free from fault. Incorrect
Few men are free from fault. Correct
Here the sense is negative and thus a few is wrong.
Few boys will pass in the examination. Incorrect
A few boys will pass in the examination. Correct
Here the sense is positive and thus few is incorrect.
I have already read a few books that are on the bookshelf. Incorrect
I have already read t he few books that are on the bookshelf. Correct
Here the sense is whatever there is.

22. Use of less and fewer

Less denote quantity and fewer denote number.
No less than fifty persons were killed. Incorrect
No fewer than fifty persons were killed. Correct
There are no fewer than five litres of water in the jug. Incorrect
There are no less than five litres of water in the jug. Correct

23. Use of little, a little, the little.

Little means hardly any
There is a little hope of his recovery. Incorrect
There is a little hope of his recovery correct
A little means some, though not much.
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Incorrect
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Correct
The little means not much but all there is.
The 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

24. Use of elder, older.

Older refers to persons as well as things and is followed by than.
Ram is elder than all other boys of this area. Incorrect
Ram is older 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

25. normally than is used in the comparative degree, but with words
like superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior and
prefer to is used.
Shelley is junior than Wordsworth. Incorrect
Shelley is junior to Wordsworth. Correct
I prefer reading than sleeping. Incorrect
I prefer reading to sleeping. Correct

26. when a comparison is made by using a comparative followed by

than, the word other must be exclude the thing compared form the
class of things with which it is compared.
He is stronger than any man. Incorrect
He is stronger than any other man. Correct
Any man includes the man himself and thus the sentences will be absurd.

27. In some cases, the comparison is subtle and must be given proper
attention.
The climate of Ranchi is better then Gaya. Incorrect
Here the comparison should be between the climate of Ranchi and the climate
of Gaya.
The climate of Ranchi is better than the climate of Gaya. Correct
Or
The climate of Ranchi is better than that of Gaya. Correct
That of means the climate of
If the traits are in plural, it will be those of.
The clothes of DCM are better than those of Mafatalal.
The scenery of Kashmir is better than Shimla. Incorrect
The scenery of Kashmir is better than that of shimla. Correct

28. many a is always followed by the singular verb.

Many a man were followed by the singular verb. Incorrect
Many a man was drowned in the area. Correct

29. If the subject is the number of the singular verb is used.

The number of students are very small. Incorrect
The number of students is very small. Correct
30. When as well as, along with, together with, no less than, in
addition to and not and with join two subjects, the verb will be
according to the first subject.
Ram, as well as his ten friends, are going. Incorrect
Ram, as well as his ten friends, is going. Correct
The teacher, along with the students, were going. Incorrect
The teacher, along with the students, was going. Correct

Even those of us who are well-versed with English end up making the silliest of
errors in grammar. It is a very natural tendency but error-spotting is not an art that
one cant master. It is just a matter of swearing by some guidelines and practice!
Here are 26 tips for error spotting in English:

1. Certain nouns possess a singular form but still represent plurality and thus,
take a plural verb when used in a sentence.

E.g. Cattle, peasantry, people, clergy, police.

Thus,

The Police has come (Incorrect)

The Police have come (Correct)

2. Certain nouns always take the plural verb because their form is always plural.

E.g. Scissors, trousers, spectacles, thanks, premises.

Thus,

The scissors is kept on the table. (Incorrect)

The scissors are kept on the table. (Correct)

3. When a number is followed by a noun denoting measure, length, money,

number or weight, the form of the nouns does not change so long as they
are followed by another noun or pronoun.

E.g. Million, pair, metre, year, dozen, foot, head.

Thus,

This is a nine-metres cloth. (Incorrect)

This is a nine-metre cloth. (Correct)

4. When a number is followed by a noun denoting measure, length, money,

number or weight, but these are not followed by another noun or pronoun,
then they take the plural form.
E.g. Million, pair, metre, year, dozen, foot, head.

Thus,

This sari is nine yard long. (Incorrect)

This sari is nine yards long. (Correct)

5. Certain nouns, especially of the collective category, are used as singular

when they specify a unit.

E.g. Public, team, committee, government, audience, orchestra, company, jury.

Thus,

The public were unanimous in their opinion. (Incorrect)

The public was unanimous in its opinion. (Correct)

6. Certain nouns, especially of the collective category, are used in plural when
they specify a difference of opinion or class.
E.g. Public, team, committee, government, audience, orchestra, company,
jury.

Thus,

The jury was divided in its opinion. (Incorrect)

The jury were divided in their opinion. (Correct)

7. If the pronoun one is used, it must be maintained throughout the sentence.

Thus,
 One must respect his elders. (Incorrect)

One must respect ones elders. (Correct)

8. The word whoseis used for living people and which is used for non-living
things or ideas.

Thus,

Which box is kept on the table? (Incorrect)

Whose box is kept on the table? (Correct)

9. Less is used to denote quantity while fewer is used to denote number.

Thus,

No less than twenty people were (Incorrect)

No fewer than twenty people were (Correct)

10.One ofis always followed by noun in the plural form.

Thus,

She is one of the least important person in the office. (Incorrect)

She is one of the least important people in the office. (Correct)

11.Only than should be used after no other

Thus,

I like no other movie but Titanic. (Incorrect)

I like no other movie than Titanic. (Correct)

12.After the word Know, how, what or when should be used before using the
infinitive.

Thus,

I know to speak English. (Incorrect)

 I know how to speak English. (Correct)

13.If the verb indicates a purpose, an infinitive must be used and if the verb
indicates a cause, a gerund must be used.

Thus,

He went to the mall for watching a movie. (Incorrect)

He went to the mall to watch a movie. (Correct)

He was suspended to show indiscipline. (Incorrect)

He was suspended for showing indiscipline.(Correct)

14.As is not used with verbs like appointed, elected , considered, called but it is
used with the word regard.

Thus,

He was elected as Secretary of the organisation. (Incorrect)

He was elected Secretary of the organisation. (Correct)

I regard Sahil my best friend. (Incorrect)

I regard Sahil as my best friend. (Correct)

15. Adverbs should not be confused for adjectives. An adjective describes the
characteristic of the subject while an adverb describes the action of the verb.

Thus,

The horse looked beautifully. (Incorrect)

The horse looked beautiful. (Correct)

16.Question tags are always the opposite of the sentence which means that if
the sentence is positive, the question tag is negative and vice versa.

Thus,
 You were dancing, were you? (Incorrect)

You were dancing, werent you? (Correct)

17. An infinitive verb should never be split.

Thus,

I request you to kindly tell me. (Incorrect)

I request you kindly to tell me. (Correct)

18.A pronoun after like, unlike and let takes an objective case.

Thus,

You will never find a woman like she. (Incorrect)

You will never find a woman like her. (Correct)

Let I do it. (Incorrect)

Let me do it. (Correct)

19.The relative pronoun thatis used instead of who or which after adjectives
in the superlative degree.

Thus,

This is the best which she could do. (Incorrect)

This is the best that she could do. (Correct)

20.To show equality asis used both before and after the adjective.

Thus,

I can run as fast, if not faster than you. (Incorrect)

I can run as fast as, if not faster than you. (Correct)

 21.Even thoughMore than oneindicates a plural sense, it agrees with a singular
noun and takes a singular verb.

Thus,

More than one students completed their project. (Incorrect)

More than one student completed his project. (Correct)

22.Scarcelyand hardly are followed by when and not by than.

Thus,

Hardly had the teacher left the room than the pupils started enjoying.
(Incorrect)

Hardly had the teacher left the room when the pupils started enjoying.
(Correct)

23.Though is followed by yetand not by but.

Thus,

Though he is poor but he is honest. (Incorrect)

Though he is poor, yet he is honest. (Correct)

24.Lestmust be followed by should or by nothing at all and Such must be

followed by as.

Thus,

Work hard lest you will fail. (Incorrect)

Work hard lest you should fail. (Correct)

Work hard lest you fail. (Correct)

He is such a writer that everybody should read his books. (Incorrect)

He is such a writer as everybody should read his books. (Correct)

 25.Unless expresses a condition and is always used in the negative sense. Thus
not is never used with unless.

Thus,

Unless you do not work hard, you will not excel in the examination.
(Incorrect)

Unless you work hard, you will not excel in the examination. (Correct)

26.Whendenotes a general sense and while implies a time duration of doing

something.

Thus,

When learning how to sing, technique is of utmost importance. (Incorrect)

While learning how to sing, technique is of utmost importance. (Correct)

RULES AND EXAMPLES OF SPOTTING ERRORS - PART - I

1. 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.

Example :

1. The cattle is grazing in the ground ( Incorrect )

2. The cattle are grazing in the ground ( correct )

2. 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.

Example:

1. Where is my trousers? ( Incorrect)

2. Where are my trousers? ( Correct)

3. There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money , 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

1. It is a three years degree course ( Incorrect)

2. It is a three year degree course ( Correct )

4. Collective nouns such as jury, public, team, committee, government, audience, orchestra, company, etc.
are used both as singular and plural depending on the meaning. When these words indicate a unit, the
verb is singular, otherwise the verb will be plural.
For example:

1. The jury was divided in this case. ( Incorrect)

2. The jury were divided in this case. ( Correct)

5. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gender.
Example :

Every man must being his luggage.

All students must do their home work.

Each of the girls must carry her own bag

6. The pronoun one must be followed by ones.

Example :

One must finish his task in time ( Incorrect)

One must finish ones task in time ( Correct)

7. Whose is used for living persons and which for lifeless objects.
Example:

Which photograph is lying here? ( Incorrect)

Whose photograph is living there? ( Correct)

8. Use of less and fewer

Example:

Less denotes quantity and fewer denotes number.

No less than fifty persons were killed. ( In correct)

No fewer than fifty person were killed. ( Correct)

9. One of always takes a plural noun after it.

Example:

It is one of the important day in my life. ( In Correct)

It is one of the important days in my life. ( Correct )

10. Use of not only and but also Examine the sentences given below.
Example:

He not only comes for swimming but also for coaching the learners. ( In correct )

He comes not only for swimming but also for coaching the learners. ( correct )

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