Correction of Errors in Sentences

Error correction is a process by which students have to identify the

error/mistake in a sentence and convert it into a grammatically correct
sentence

Rule 1
Two or more singular subjects joined by 'and' take a plural
verb. Example:
Radha and Mira are coming.
Shimla, koshali, and my hometown are hill stations.

Rule 2
Two or more singular subjects joined by 'and' used for the
same person then take a singular verb. Example:
The designer and the producer of the project have come.
My mother and my critic are here.

Rule 3
If the singular subjects are preceded by 'each' or
'every', then the verb is singular. Example:

Each of us was afraid of being drowned.

Everyone is playing.
Rule 4
If two or more singular subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor'
or 'either or' or 'neither nor' then the verb is singular.
Example:
Either Geeta or meeta is lying.
Neither the boy nor the girl has come.
Which is your favorite sport cricket or football?

Rule 5
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. Example:

Neither the boy nor the girls have come.

Either the child or the parents have to come.

Rule 6
When the subjects joined by 'or', 'nor' are of different
persons, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.

Example:
Either they or I am mistaken.
Neither she nor they are speaking the truth.

Rule 7
A collective noun takes a singular verb when talked of as a
whole and plural verb when we talk of the individual parts
of it. Example:
The committee has chosen its president.
The cattle are grazing.

Rule 8
Some nouns which are plural in form but singular in
meaning take a singular verb. Example:

Mathematics is my favourite subject.

Statistics shows that India is still a poor country.

Rule 9
Words joined to a singular subject by 'with', 'in addiction
to', 'as well as' a supplementary and do not affect the
number of the verb. Example:

The principal along with all the teachers has come.

The pizza as well as the cake tastes good.

Rule 10
When the subject is a relative pronoun, the verb should
agree in number and person with the antecedent.
Example:

Who am your friend, am honest to you.

The books which you gave me are lying on the table.

Rule 11
When there are two subjects in a sentence and they are
not in the same number then separate auxiliary verbs
should be used. Example:
Two men were dead and one was alive.

Shirts were torn and one was burnt.

Rule 12
A single word should be made to serve two Subjects, only
when the form of the verb is the same for both the
subjects. Example:

He is 10 years old and you are 12.

I am drinking tea and he is drinking coffee.

Rule 13
If two auxiliary verbs are used with one main verb, the
form of the main verb must be appropriate to both of them.
Example:
I have eaten and will eat pizza every day.

Hot chocolate Fudge was, is, and will be liked by me.

Rule 14
If there is only one auxiliary verb to two main verbs then it
should be correctly related to both. Example:

One duck was drowned and two have been poisoned.

One tap is working and one not working.

 Rule 15

A past tense in the main clause should be followed by

a past tense in the subordinate clause. Example:

He saw that the clock had stopped.

We succeeded because we worked hard.

Rule 16
A past tense in the main clause may be followed by a
present tense in the subordinate clause for universal
truths. Example:
Our teacher said that the Earth moves around the sun.

My mother told me that the sun rises in the East.

Rule 17
In a present perfect continuous tense, action from the
past which still continues in present is talked of first of
use the adverb of time - 'since', 'for.' Example:

I have been living here since 1980, so I know everything about the
city.
I have been working here for the last 10 years.
Rule 18
In adverbs of the past like 'yesterday', and 'in 1990',
past indefinite tense is used. The present perfect
tense is not used. Example:

I brought a cycle yesterday.

I met him in 2000.

Rule 19
To modal auxiliaries in a sentence must be joined by 'and.'
Example:

We should and must go to his office.

You can and may go out.

Rule 20
Adjectives of quantity (whole, sufficient, any, half, some,
much, little, enough, all, no) are used for uncountable
nouns only. Example:

I ate some rice.

Give me enough food to eat.

Rule 21
Numeral adjectives are used for countable nouns only.
Example:

I faced many problems in my life.

I want a few utensils and some food.

Rule 22
When cardinal and ordinal numbers are used together, the
ordinal number precedes cardinal followed by
multiplicative number. Example:
The first four boys will be given a chance.

The first five single rooms are reserved for us.

Rule 23

Later, latest denotes time latter, last denotes the position

Example:
Give me the last book kept on the shelf.

Rule 24
Farther denotes distant, further denotes additional.

Example:

He insisted on further improvement.

His home is at the fartherst end of the Woods.

Rule 25
If there is a comparison between two nominative cases,
the pronoun of the nominative case is used after ‘than’.
Example:
 Though he studies hard, he is not quite as smart as her (incorrect)
 Though he studies hard, he is not quite as smart as she (correct)

Rule 26
A pronoun should be in the nominative case, if a Pronoun
is used as the complement of the Verb ‘to be’. Example:
 If I were her, I’d sign up for that class. (incorrect)

If I were she, I’d sign up for that class. (correct

Rule 27
” Many a/an” should be followed by a singular noun and
singular verb. Example:
 Many a politicians have promised to make changes. (incorrect)
 Many a politician has promised to make changes. (correct)
Rule 28
Inversion should be done in the statement if the sentence
is introduced by an adverb. Example:

 Hardly I had reached the station when the train arrived. (incorrect)
Hardly had I reached the station when the train arrived. (correct)

Rule 29
‘A large number of’/ “A number of” should be followed by
a plural verb. Example:
 A large number of students was absent. (incorrect)
 A large number of students were absent. (correct)
Rule 30
“The large number of”/ “The large number of” should be
followed by a singular verb. Example:
 The number of aspirants have not appeared in the examination.(incorrect)
 The number of aspirants has not appeared in the examination.(correct)
Rule 31

If ‘it’s high time / it’s about time / it’s time is used in a

sentence, v2 comes in the sentence. Example:
 It’s high time you start preparing for exams. (incorrect)
 It’s high time you started preparing for exams. (correct)
Rule 32
When a subject becomes the receiver of an action, the
following verbs take reflexive pronoun: Acquit, Absent,
Avail, Reconcile, Amuse, Resign, Adapt, Adjust, Pride,
Enjoy. Introduce, hurt, cheat, apply Etc. Example:

 I enjoyed at the party. (incorrect)

 I enjoyed myself at the party. (correct)
Rule 33
Every Participle must have a suitable Subject of
Reference. Example:
 Being a rainy day, Vijay decided to stay at home. (incorrect)
 It being a rainy day, Vijay decided to stay at home. (correct)
Rule 34
Two auxiliaries can be used with one principal Verb, only
when the form of the principal Verb is appropriate to both
the auxiliaries.
Example:
 Rahul never has, and never will opt for job over business. (Incorrect)
 Rahul never has opted, and never will opt for job over business (correct)
Rule 35
A Past Tense in the main clause should be followed by a
Past Tense in the subordinate clause. Example:

 He succeeded because he studies regularly. (Incorrect)

 He succeeded because he studied regularly. (correct)
Rule 36
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.
Example:
Note: “Lest” is followed by should
 We start early lest we shall miss the bus. (Incorrect)
 We start early lest we should miss the bus. (correct)
Rule 37
When a 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.
(be + Comparative degree+ than+ any other + singular noun)

Example:
 Akhil is stronger than any boy in the class. (Incorrect)
 Akhil is stronger than any other boy in the class (correct)
Rule 38
When two qualities of the same person or thing are
compared, the Comparative form ‘er’ is not used. (More +
Positive degree+ than+ positive degree) is used for this
purpose.
Example:
 Sheetal is wiser than beautiful. (Incorrect)
 Sheetal is more wise than beautiful (correct)
Rule 39
If the pronouns of three persons are written as the subject
of the sentence, then the verb should be plural as the
subject is more than one, and the order of pronoun should
be 123 (in contexts of guilt, sin, crime). Example:
 You, he and I have committed the Sin. (Incorrect)
 I, You and He have committed the Sin. (correct)
Rule 40
When two persons or things are compared, the same
parts must be compared. Example:

The population of Mumbai is greater than that of Delhi.

Radha's dress is prettier than your dress.

Rule 41

We must not use double comparatives or superlatives in a

sentence. Example:

He is the most clever boy in the class.

He is the cleverest boy in the class.

Pizza is tastier than burgers.

Rule 42
Some comparative adjectives (like superior, junior, prior,
anterior, posterior, prefer) should be followed by 'to'
instead of 'than.' Example:
I prefer coffee to tea.

Rule 43

(Like unique, ideal ,perfect, complete, universal, chief,

square, round, entire, extreme, full) Do not admit degrees
of comparison. Example:
It is a unique idea.

He took the extreme step of attempting suicide.

Rule 44
If 2 or more adjectives are used for the same person or
thing, their Degree of comparison must be the same.

Example:
This is the tastiest and healthy food.
You are more intelligent and wiser than him.

Rule 45
The adjectives' elder' 'eldest' are used for persons of the
same family for other people or things 'older' 'oldest' are
used. Example:
Yudhis was the eldest among his siblings.

Rule 46
Do not use two conjunctions in a sentence. Example:
Although she was tried she went to school.

He does not come to the office as/because he has been ill.

Rule 47
' neither nor', 'either or, 'both and, 'not only but also must
be followed by the same parts of speech. Example:

He lost not only his family but also his friends.

He read neither the storybook nor the textbook.

Rule 48
'That' is not used in direct speech and in interrogative
sentences. Example:
He asked me who I was.

Rule 49
The objective case of noun/pronoun is used after a
preposition. Example:

We went and spoke to them.

Rule 50
The prepositions used after two words must be
disconnected if the words are joined by 'and' or 'or'.
Example:

He is careful in and particular about his work.

Rule 51
If a principal verb is used after about /after/ at / before/ for/
from/ in/to ,that were must be in 'ing' form. Example:

You prevented me from eating it.

We went back home after playing in the garden.

Rule 52

'on', 'in', 'at' are not used before 'today', 'tomorrow',

'yesterday', 'following day', 'next day.' Example:

We will do homework tomorrow.

Rule 53
Transitive verbs Like discuss, describe, reach, order, Tell
demand, attack, resemble, ridicule, etc. are not followed
by a preposition.
Example

Please discuss the matter.

Describe your friend.

Rule 54

Verbs like say, suggest, propose, speak, reply, explain,

talk, listen, write is followed by the preposition 'to'
if there is a person in form of an object. Example:

One independence day, we listened to the prime minister's speech.

Rule 55
When the pronoun is used as the object of a verb or
preposition, it should be in the objective case. Example:

Let you and me do it.

They came for her and me.

Rule 56
Emphatic pronouns cannot stand alone in a sentence.
They need another pronoun. Example:
We ourselves dug our grave.
Rule 57
The indefinite pronoun 'one' if used in a sentence, must
be used throughout the sentence. Example:

One must not think highly of oneself.

Rule 58
'Either', and 'neither' is used for two persons or things.
'Any', 'none', and 'no one' is used for more than two.
Example:

None of the three boys did the work.

Rule 59

'Each other' is used for two persons. "One another" is

used for more than two. Example:

All the children love one another.

Rule 60

A noun or pronoun governing a gerund must be in

possessive case. Example:

Please pardon his being abusive.

Rule 61

Are pronoun must agree with the antecedent in person

number and gender. Example:
Each of these boys has done his work.

Rule 62
If plural pronouns of different persons is there, first person,
second person, and then a third person. Example:

We, you, and they are playing.

Rule 63
The pronoun used after 'let' must be in the objective case.
Example:

Let him go out.

Rule 64
Indefinite articles - 'a', 'an' are not used with uncountable
nouns like information, baggage, luggage, scenery,
drapery
Example:

I felt nervous because a friend of mine had given me very bad news.

Rule 65

The definite article 'the' is used in expressions to show

propose other than implied by them. Example:

My brother told me that we must go to school.

My brother is going to the school for his son's admission.
We go to church every Sunday.
We went to the church for carols wedding.
Exercise 1 – Identify the Errors
Read the following sentences and identify and correct the errors.

1. Many peoples attended the funeral of the great man.

Ans.:Many people attended the funeral of the great man.

2. The shepherd took the cattles to the field.

Ans.: The shepherd took the cattle to the field.

3. Sita could not understands what the teacher was saying.

Ans.: Sita could not understand what the teacher was saying.

4. Do you know the importance for clean water?

Ans.: Do you know the importance of clean water?

5. Laugh is the best medicines.

Ans.: Laughter is the best medicine.

6. The flock of sheeps blocked the road.

Ans.: The flock of sheep blocked the road.

7. The children was playing in the Giant’s garden.

Ans.: The children were playing in the Giant’s garden.

8. The children decided to surprise Miss Holmes on teacher’s day.

Ans.: The children decided to surprise Miss Holmes on teachers’ day.

9. I saw Richard when I’m on the flight.

Ans.: I saw Richard when I was on the flight.

10. Man have depended on nature for a long time.

Ans.: Man has depended on nature for a long time.

11. Ramu is a honest man.

Ans.: Ramu is an honest man.

 12. Bread and butter are Sheldon’s favourite breakfast.

Ans.: Bread and butter is Sheldon’s favourite breakfast.

13. Birds of feathers flock together.

Ans.: Birds of a feather flock together.

14. The teacher called me on 12 o’clock.

Ans. The teacher called me at 12 o’clock.

15. The sweets was distributed between all the children.

Ans.: The sweets were distributed among all the children.

Exercise 2 – Correct the Errors

Read the following passage, identify the errors and correct them.

My little sister Lisa was practising how to riding a bicycle yesterday. Suddenly I hear a
loud crash and ran to see what had happened. I saw that she was lying in the ground. I
quickly pulled her up and bought her home. She was crying out loud. I quickly go inside
the house and brought the first aid box. After cleaning the wound, I apply antiseptic to
the wound. Lisa has scratches on her hand and knee. To calm her down, I took her to
the nearby shop and brought her a big chocolate. Seeing her favourite chocolate, she
immediately stop crying. Within two day, her wounds healed, and she went to play
again.

Rule 66

In a comparison of two things comparative degree is used

and not superlative. Example:

Which is more beautiful of the two?

Rule 67
 'Each other' is used for two persons. "One another" is
used for more than two. Example:

All the children love one another.

Rule 67

A noun or pronoun governing a gerund must be in

possessive case. Example:

Please pardon his being abusive.

Rule 68

In a sentence, if pronouns of different persons is there,

second person, third person, and then a first person.
Example:
You, he and I must work together.

Rule 69

If plural pronouns of different persons is there, first

person, second person, and then a third person.
Example:

We, you, and they are playing.

Rule 70
The pronoun used after 'let' must be in the objective
case. Example:
Let him go out.
Rule 71
'a' is used before a singular countable noun. Example:

I got a mathematics book for you.

Rule 72

'a' is used in idioms and expressions.

( A great deal, a lot, a large quantity, of,a great many, a
large number). Example:

Your habit of delaying the work puts me in a lot of

trouble.
Rule 73
Articles are not used in some phrases. ( By post, by
mail, by chance, by air, by mistake, in fact, in detail, in
danger, in hast, on duty, on strike, on foot). Example:

When the house was set on fire, the girl started

screaming.
Rule 74

Indefinite articles - 'a', 'an' are not used with

uncountable nouns like information, baggage, luggage,
scenery, drapery. Example:

I felt nervous because a friend of mine had given me

very bad news.

Rule 75
The definite article 'the' is used in expressions to show
purpose other than implied by them. Example:

My brother told me that we must go to school.

My brother is going to the school for his son's
admission.
We go to church every Sunday.
We went to the church for carols wedding.

Rule 76
Two consecutive nouns do not take apostrophe marks.

Example:

The career of Ram's wife is at stake.

Rule 77
In sentences beginning with seldom, never, rarely,
inversion is used. Example:

Never does she come here.

Seldom have I seen such beautiful work.

Rule 78
In passive voice, Verb + preposition is used. Known
to, surprised at, amazed at, astonished at, startled at,
vexed at, annoyed with (you), annoyed at( this),
contained in, decorated with, filled with, thronged with.
Example:
 The matter was inquired into by the police.
I was laughed at by him.

Rule 79
Use simple present tense to refer to the future after conjunctions like
when, after, if, as soon as. Example:

I will talk to him when I see him in the next two days.

I will call you as soon as I arrive at the airport.

If the plan succeeds, I will come.
Rule 80 Married with/married to
To is a correct preposition to use with married.
Example:
Incorrect: She is married with an engineer
Correct: She is married to an engineer.

Rule 81

Every with (singular noun)/ Every with (plural noun)

Incorrect: Every students is intelligent in the class.
Correct: Every student is intelligent in the class.
Rule
A Singular noun is used with every.

Rule 82
Incorrect: Although it was raining, but we went to market.
Correct: Although it was raining, we went to market.
Rule
If the sentence starts with although, don't use but with that.
Examples
Although cell phones have many merits, demerits cannot be overlooked.
Although he was not well, he attended the function.

Rule 83
Your/you’re
Incorrect: What were your answer?
Correct: What was your answer?
Rule
Your indicates possession that is something belonging to you while “You’re” is
a contraction for “you are”.
Examples
Where is your cell phone?
You're responsible for this project.

Rule 84
Its/it’s
Incorrect: Its Sunday morning.
Correct: It's Sunday morning.
Rule
“It's” is a contraction for it is.
“Its” is a possessive pronoun for things.
Examples
The floor looks great with its new mat.
It's raining outside.
Rule 85
There/their/they’re
Incorrect: Parents work for there children.
Correct: Parents work for their children.
Rule
There is generally used for a place.
Rule 86
Me/ I
Incorrect: Smith and me went to the mall.
Correct: Smith and I went to the mall.
Rule
When talking about doing some activity with someone else, use his/her name
followed by I.
Examples
My brother and I love ice cream.
John and I are planning a trip.
Rule 87
Then/than
Incorrect: She is beautiful then her.
Correct: She is beautiful than her.
Rule
Than is used for a comparison.
Then is used for planning a schedule or to indicate instructions.
Examples
He is clever than her.
First I will go to Amritsar then Delhi.
Rule 88
Amount/number
Incorrect: A greater amount of people are visiting the stadium.
Correct: A greater number of people are visiting the stadium.
Rule
The amount is used for uncountable commodities.
The number is used for countable things.
Examples
A large amount of sand is needed for the project.
We can watch a number of TV shows.

Rule 89

Fewer/less
Incorrect: There are less dresses.
Correct: There are fewer dresses.
Rule
Fewer is used for countable items.
Less is used for uncountable commodities.
Examples
There was a less rainfall last year.
There are fewer students in the class.

Rule 90
Too/enough
Incorrect: This shirt is too enough for me.
Correct: This shirt is too big for me.
Rule
Too is used before adjectives and adverbs. So,, in the above sentence use
too with the adjective big.
Enough is used before nouns.
Examples
I don't have enough time.
The ring was too small.

Rule 91
Incorrect: We enjoy to go for walk after dinner.
Correct: We enjoy going for walk after dinner.
Rule
A gerund is a verb form which functions as a noun. In other words, a gerund is
a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." There are some verbs like dislike,
which are always followed by a gerund.
Examples
We, enjoy going for a walk. (The gerund always follows the verb ‘enjoy'.)
I love eating ice cream.

Rule 92

Possession shared by two persons

Incorrect: It is Smith’s and Peter’s car.
Correct: It is Smith and Peter’s car.
Rule
Use apostrophe only, after the name of the second person
Example
This is Mark and Smith's house
Rule 93
His/hers/its
Incorrect: The dog lost his bone. (The gender is unknown.)
Correct: The dog lost its bone.
Rule
Use “it” if you don’t know the gender of an animal.
Example
His dog participates in many dog shows. It has won many prizes.
Rule 94
Well/good (happiness)
Incorrect: He feels well.
Correct: He feels good.
Rule
Use good when expressing happiness.
Examples
She feels good after attending a concert.
He feels good by working for the company.
Rule 95

Well/good (quality)
Incorrect: She cooks good.
Correct: She cooks well.
Rule
Use well when expressing a quality of someone or something.
Examples
The machine works well.
She sings well.

Rule 96
One of the ...
Incorrect: One of the train is late.
Correct: One of the trains is late.
Rule
In the above sentence, the singular countable noun train follows the quantifier
one, which requires a plural noun.
Examples
Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world.
He is one of my best friends.
Rule 97
Police is / police are
Incorrect: The police is coming.
Correct: The police are coming.
Rule
Use plural form 'are' when referring to police in general. The word police is an
aggregate noun, a word representing an indefinite number of parts; aggregate
nouns have a plural form. When referring to a single person or a specific
department, use singular 'is'.
Examples
The police are blocking off the street where the robbery occurred.
The police department is at the corner of the Main street.

Rule 98
Alternative/alternate
Incorrect: The salad is a healthier alternate.
Correct: The salad is a healthier alternative.
Rule
Alternate: Occur in turn repeatedly.
Alternative: Available as another possibility or choice.
Examples
The government alternate between the two parties.
The various alternative methods for resolving disputes.

Rule 99
Amicable / Amiable
Incorrect: The teams were amicable.
Correct: The teams were amiable.
Rule
Amicable: Used for arrangements or settlements agreed peacefully by parties.
Amiable: used to describe kind, gentle and friendly people.
Examples
The amiable young man greeted me.
The meeting was amicable.
Rule 100
Beside /besides
Incorrect: Ask him to sit besides me.
Correct: Ask him to sit beside me.
Rule
Beside means next to
Besides means in addition to
Examples
The bride was sitting beside the groom at the reception.
Besides her famous cupcakes, she will donate cookies and a pie to the bake
sale.
Rule 101
Among/between
Incorrect: She could not decide among the two shirts.
Correct: She could not decide between the two shirts.
Rule
Use ‘between’ when the comparison involves only 2 choices. ‘Among’ is used
when there are 3 or more choices.
Examples
They had to choose the winner between the red and the blue teams.
They had to choose the winner among the 5 competing teams.
Rule 102
Bring /take
Incorrect: He will bring the book from his friend.
Correct: He will take the book from his friend.
Rule
Bring: Take or go with (someone or something) to a place.
Take: Lay hold of (something) with one's hands; reach for and hold.
Examples
In an emergency, my son could drive up and bring us home.
He leaned forward to take her hand.
Rule 103

Very/really
Incorrect: I felt very fantastic.
Correct: I felt really fantastic
Rule
In many sentences both really and very can be used but there are some
exceptions like
Really is Used to emphasize a statement or opinion.
Examples
I really want to go.
I really think she is beautiful.
Very cannot be used in these sentences.

Rule 104
In my point of view/From my point of view
Incorrect: In my point of view, the coaching class really helps.
Correct: From my point of view, the coaching class really helps.
Rule
Use either from my point of view or In my view. In my point of view is
incorrect.
Examples
From my point of view, she has taken a good decision.
In my view, Robbert is the right person for the job.
Rule 105
During/for
Incorrect: She studied for the football game.
Correct: She studied during the football game.
Rule
During: Throughout the course or duration of a period of time.
For: Indicating the length of a period of time.
Examples
The restaurant is open during the day.
My sister studied for five hours.
He was jailed for 12 years.
Rule 106
Awhile /a while
INCORRECT: I'll stay in Mumbai for awhile.
CORRECT: I'll stay in Mumbai for a while.
Rule
Awhile: Adverb that means "for a while." That is for a short time.
While: means “a period of time."
So in the above sentence, we cannot use awhile with for as there will be a
repetition of "for".
Examples
We chatted for a while.
Stand here awhile.

Rule 107

Loose/lose
Incorrect: I don't want to loose the job.
Correct: I don't want to lose the job.
Rule
Loose: Not firmly or tightly fixed in place.
Lose: Be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something)
Examples
The lid of the container is loose.
I don't want to lose her.

Rule 108

Before/ago
INCORRECT: He went five minutes before.
CORRECT: He went five minutes ago.
Rule
Ago: Before the present; earlier.
For ago, a specific time must be mentioned.
Examples
I met my wife twenty years ago.
Your boss phoned five minutes ago.
Before: During the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
They lived rough for four days before they were arrested