Students make some common errors while writing and speaking English. In spite of learning grammar, students commit mistakes. There are questions like spot the error and correct the sentence or editing errors in the exam of CBSE, ICSE, State Board and various competitive exams. Knowing common errors will be useful for this.
Common Errors
Common errors are made in the use of following 7 topics of English Grammar. Learning these topics and using them in day to day life will be beneficial.
- Use of preposition – Verify that prepositions are used correctly in relation to verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- Use of articles – Verify articles (a, an, the) are used appropriately before nouns.
- Use of verbs – Verify verb forms are correctly used.
- Use of tenses – Maintain consistency in the use of tenses throughout the sentence
- Use of comparatives
- Use of singular and plural noun
- Subject verb agreement – Ensure that the subject and verb agree in number (singular or plural).
Spot the error and correct the sentence.
- The number of people do not matter.
2. I am liking to see movies at the theatre.
3. I never forgets the given responsibility.
4. He has often ask me to think before I speak.
5. No sooner did I challenged the man than he accepted it.
6. We are the more strongest community in the world.
7. I entered the room for search the documents.
8. We can plant the trees in order saving the earth.
9. I usually asks my employees to be punctual in their tasks.
10. The training came to an end before you left the city.
11. If you challenge me, I had accept it.
12. The manager was looking into the missing file.
13. She is more taller than all her brothers in the family.
14. He said he did not wanted to go to bazaar yesterday.
15. Mango is the bestest among all the Indian fruits.
Answer Key for Spot the error
1.The number of people does not matter. ( Keyword in subject part is number which is singular. So it takes ‘does’.)
2. I like to see movies at the theatre. ( Stative verb ‘like’ does not progressive tense.)
3. I never forget the given responsibility. (When subject is first person, second person and third person plural, Verb does not take suffix like ‘s’ or ‘es’ in simple present tense.)
4. He often asks me to think before I speak. ( Simple Present Tense is used for the actions that happen often.)
5. No sooner did I challenge the man than he accepted it. ( Base form of verb is used with did, do, does.)
6. We are the strongest community in the world. ( With superlative adjective ‘most’ is not used.)
7. I entered the room for searching the documents. (Gerund is used with ‘for’.)
8. We can plant the trees in order to save the earth. ( ‘in order to’ is a suitable phrase.)
9. I usually ask my employees to be punctual in their tasks. ( Simple Present Tense is used for the actions that happen often.)
10. The training had come to an end before you left the city. (Past Perfect Tense is for the action that takes place before another action.)
11. If you challenge me, I will accept it. ( In conditional clause, simple future tense goes with simple present tense.)
12. The manager was looking for the missing file. (‘looking for’ is a phrase )
13. She is taller than all her brothers in the family. (‘taller’ is comparative adjective, more is not added to it. )
14. He said he did not want to go to bazaar the day before. ( Base form of verb is used with did, do, does. In indirect speech instead of yesterday ‘the day before or the previous day’ is used.)
15. Mango is the best among all the Indian fruits. (‘best’ is the superlative form of good and ‘ ‘better’ comparative form of good Remember bad-worse-worst.)
Q. Spot the error and correct the sentences. Tenses
Following is an exercise in common errors in tense along with correct answers for the study of the students.
1. He is working in this office for four years now.
Ans. He has been working in this office for four years now.
2. He has returned from Nagpur last week.
Ans. He returned from Nagpur last week.
3. We will come if you will invite us.
Ans. We will come if you invite us.
4. She had written a letter to him last week.
Ans. : She wrote a letter to him last week.
5. The man complained that his bike was stolen.
Ans.: The man complained that his bike had been stolen.
6. Take care that you will not be cheated.
Ans.: Take care that you are not cheated.
7. I am working in the school for the last five years.
Ans. I have been working in the school for the last five years.
8. Her mother has died three years ago.
Ans. Her mother died three years ago.
9. We must see that the amount shall be paid soon.
Ans. We must see that the amount is paid soon.
10. I shall tell them about it when I will know the truth.
Ans. I shall tell them about it when I know the truth.
11. I had been to Delhi recently.
Ans. I went to Canada recently.
12. Hemlata said that she was working in the office for five years.
Ans.: Hemlata said that she had been working in the office for five years.
13. Sheetal had been married in 1995.
Ans.: Sheetal was married in 1995.
14. She home when I went there.
Ans. She left home when I had gone there.
15. I had gone to Mumbai last years.
Ans. I went to Mumbai last year.
16. Kiran had entered the room when I was writing,
Ans. Kiran entered the room when I was writing.
17. The storm had ended last month.
Ans. The storm ended last month.
18. Sangita had applied for civil service last year.
Ans. Sangita applied for civil service last year.
19. I am teaching Economics since 1994.
Ans. I have been teaching Economics 1994.
20. Leena works in a bank now.
Ans.: Leena is working in a bank now.
21. Teachers must see that all students will bring their textbooks to the class.
Ans.: Teachers must see that all students bring their textbooks to the class.
22. I have returned all the goods to the store.
Ans. I returned all the goods to the store.
23. I shall call on her when she will come.
Ans. I shall call on her when she comes.
24. I had visited Kashmir last summer.
Ans. I visited Kashmir last summer.
25. We are waiting for him for an hour.
Ans.: We have been waiting for him for an hour.
26. She is suffering from a cold since yesterday.
Ans.: She has been suffering from a cold since yesterday.
27. We had been to Shirdi during the Diwali Holidays.
Ans: We went to Shirdi during the Diwali Holidays.
28. Rakesh is working here since 1984.
Ans.: Rakesh has been working here since 1984.
29. When I reached home, I found I lost my phone.
Ans.: When I reached home, I found I had lost my phone.
30. I am hearing a sound . (Wrong)
Ans. : I hear a sound. (Right)
Errors in Subject Verb Agreement
Rewrite the following sentences correcting the errors.
i. Athletics are Bannister’s favourite sport.
ii. When did the meeting begins?
iii. Amala is senior than me.
iv. He sings good.
v. He boasts about his will power.
vi. Though he is fat, still he runs fast. vii. She is more shorter than her brother.
Answers
i. Athletics is Bannister’s favourite sport.
ii. When did the meeting begin?
iii. Amala is senior to me.
iv. He sings better.
v. He boasts of his will power.
vi. Though he is fat, he runs fast. Vii. She is shorter than her brother.
Incorrect: The dogs barks loudly.
Correct: The dogs bark loudly.
Incorrect: The team of players are ready to start.
Correct: The team of players is ready to start.
Incorrect: The books on the shelf was dusty.
Correct: The books on the shelf were dusty.
Incorrect: The class of students enjoys the lesson.
Correct: The class of students enjoy the lesson.
Incorrect: The family of birds fly south for the winter.
Correct: The family of birds flies south for the winter
Certainly! Here are some common rules to keep in mind while spotting errors in sentences:
1. **Subject-Verb Agreement:**
– Ensure that the subject and verb agree in number (singular or plural).
2. **Tense Consistency:**
– Maintain consistency in the use of tenses throughout the sentence or paragraph.
3. **Pronoun Agreement:**
– Check that pronouns agree in number and gender with their antecedents.
4. **Modifiers:**
– Ensure that modifiers (adjectives or adverbs) are correctly placed and modify the intended word.
5. **Parallelism:**
– Maintain parallel structure in lists and series.
6. **Articles:**
– Use articles (a, an, the) appropriately before nouns.
8. **Sentence Fragments and Run-On Sentences:**
– Look for complete sentences and avoid fragments or run-on sentences.
9. **Double Negatives:**
– Avoid using double negatives, as they can create confusion.
10. **Word Choice:**
– Choose words carefully to convey the intended meaning.
11. **Spelling and Punctuation:**
– Check for proper spelling and punctuation, including commas, semicolons, and apostrophes.
12. **Idioms:**
– Be aware of common idiomatic expressions to use them correctly.
Remember that context plays a crucial role in error spotting. It’s essential to consider the overall meaning of the sentence to identify errors accurately. Practice and familiarity with these rules will improve your ability to spot errors in written text.
