ERROR DETECTION

MODULE-1 TENSES 1. Principal clause- past tense; subordinate clause-past tense: He said that he had finished his work. I was informed that her mother was ill. This rule is not appliedIf the second clause is universal truth: My brother told me that smoking is injurious to health. If than connects two clauses (any tense can be used): He respected you more than he respects his uncle. 2. Use Past Simple/Perfect tense with expression of past time(yesterday, last night, ago): We wrote to you yesterday about his mother. I had finished my letter last night. 3. Phrases like as if or as though require past tense with plural form: He behaved as if he were a millionaire. 4. Use present indefinite tense with usually, generally, often, whenever: I usually go to play cricket 5. Use present perfect continuous tense when time of action is specified: I have been reading in this class for two months. 6. If since is used as a preposition always use present perfect/ past perfect: The college had/has been closed since Monday. 7. If since is used as a conjunction, use simple present/ present perfect before it and simple past after it: A month has passed since I came here. Two hours have passed since he fell asleep. 8. Sequential actions require same indefinite tenses: He got up, looked here and there and went away. 9. Never use future tense after until, till, when, before, after, as soon as, as: He will come here when he is ready. (not will be ready) 10.Never use perfect tense in imaginary situation: Were I in her place, I would enjoy a lot. (not would have enjoyed) Practice Set 1. When Carol (call) last night, I (watch) my favorite show on television. 2. I (work) for this company for more than thirty years, and I intend to stay here until I retire! 3. Sharon (love) to travel. She (go) abroad almost every summer. Next year, she plans to go to Peru. 4. Thomas is an author. He (write) mystery novels and travel memoirs. He (write) since he was twenty-eight. Altogether, he (write) seven novels, three collections of short stories and a book of poetry. 5. We were late because we had some car problems. By the time we (get) to the train station, Susan (wait) for us for more than two hours. 6. Sam (try) to change a light bulb when he (slip) and (fell). 7. Everyday I (wake) up at 6 o'clock, (eat) breakfast at 7 o'clock and (leave) for work at 8 o'clock. However, this morning I (get) up at 6:30, (skip) breakfast and (leave) for work late because I (forget) to set my alarm.

8. Right now, Jim (read) the newspaper and Kathy (make) dinner. Last night at this time, they (do) the same thing. She (cook) and he (read) the newspaper. Tomorrow at this time, they (do, also) the same thing. She (prepare) dinner and he (read) . They are very predictable people! 9. By this time next summer, you (complete) your studies and (find) a job. I, on the other hand, (accomplish, not) anything. I (study, still) and you (work) in some new high paying job. 10.The students (be, usually) taught by Mrs. Monty. However, this week they (be) taught by Mr. Tanzer. Answers 1. called, was watching 2. have been working 3. Loves, goes 4. Writes, has been writing, has written 5. Got, had been waiting 6. Was trying, slipped, fell 7. Wake up, eat, leave, got up, skipped, left, had forgot 8. Is reading, is making, were doing, was cooking, was reading, will also be doing, will be preparing, will be reading 9. Will have completed, will have found, will not have accomplished, will still be studying, will be working 10.Are usually taught, are being taught DEGREE OF COMPARISON (ADJECTIVES) Positive Degree - When two persons or things are said to be equal in respect of some quality, positive degree is used. e.g. This boy is as clever as that. Comparative Degree - When two persons or things are said to be unequal in respect of some quality, comparative degree is used. e.g. This boy is more clever than that. This boy is the cleverer of the two. Superlative Degree - When one person or thing is said to surpass all other persons or things of the same kind superlative degree is used. e.g. This boy is the cleverest of all. General Errors1. The adjectives ending in ior take to and not than after them: e.g. He is senior to me. 2. The adjectives like Unique, extreme, chief, complete, perfect, ideal, universal, entire etc. are not compared at all since they represent the highest degree. We never say most unique, chiefest, extremest. e.g. *It is the most unique book. 3. Use comparative degree when two things are compared with each other. e.g. * This boy is the cleverest of the two. This boy is the cleverer of the two. 4. When we compare two qualities in the same person or thing, the comparative ending er is not used. e.g. *You are wiser than old.

You are more wise than old. 5. When two changes happen together, comparative degree is used in both: e.g. The higher we go, the cooler we feel. 6. If comparison is made by using other, than is used instead of but: e.g. He turned out to be no other than my old friend. 7. Likely, certain and sure are followed by to: e.g. We are sure to need help. 8. Usage of other after positives and comparatives. *He is as clever as any boy in the class. He is as clever as any other boy in the class. *He is cleverer than any boy in the class. He is cleverer than any other boy in the class. 9. Do not use other with superlatives *He was the laziest of all other workmen. He was the laziest of all workmen. 10.*The population of Calcutta is greater than Delhi. The population of Calcutta is greater than that of Delhi. 11.Preferable has a force of a comparative, so followed by to not than. *Knowledge is even more preferable than riches. Knowledge is preferable even to riches. 12.* He has read the two first chapters of the book. (How can two chapters become first?) He has read the first two chapters of the book. 13.Usage of double Comparatives or Superlatives is wrong. *The road is the more shortest of all. The road is the shortest of all. This pen is much more cheaper than that. This pen is much cheaper than that. 14.If the first of the two or more adjectives is a superlative than other should also be superlative. *This is one of the best and powerful machines that have ever been made. This is one of the best and most powerful machines that have ever been made. 15.When the comparison is not complete *Rohit is not as mean. Rohit is not as mean as Rahul is. 16.When the items that are being compared are in different categories *The flowers in my garden are prettier than my friend. The flowers in my garden are prettier than the ones in my friends garden. 17.When the degrees are confused *Peter is as brighter as Susanne. Peter is as bright as Susanne. 18.Latin comparatives: interior, exterior, major, minor are always used in the positive degree: This is a fact of minor (secondary) importance. (not minorest or more minor) The interior parts of the building are beautifully decorated. (not most interior) Practice set 1. I think it is more harder to understand Freuds theory than Watson. 2. Thoreaus writing is not as easy to read.

3. Winter is the most coldest season of the year. 4. During the Civil War, the North won more battles, which eventually led to the Souths surrender. 5. Sophias resume was more organized than Nick, but Nicks resume included more information. 6. To some people, faulty comparison is more harder than faulty predication to overcome. 7. Sylvia found the most unique dress for her daughters baptism. 8. Slavery in the United States was much worse than Europe. 9. Marketing has a higher employee turnover rate than the rest of the companys population. 10. Laurel and Hardy are the most funniest slapstick comedians in film history. Answers 1. I think it is harder to understand Freuds theory than that of Watsons. 2. Thoreaus writing is not as easy to read as Hemingways. 3. Winter is the coldest season of the year. 4. During the Civil War, the North won more battles than the South did, which eventually led to the Souths surrender. 5. Sophias resume was more organized than that of Nicks, but Nicks resume included more information than Sophias. 6. To some people, faulty comparison is harder than faulty predication to overcome. 7. Sylvia found a unique dress for her daughters baptism. 8. Slavery in the United States was much worse than it was in Europe. 9. Marketing has a higher employee turnover rate than the rest of the companys departments. 10. Laurel and Hardy are the funniest slapstick comedians in film history. AFFIRMATIVE and NEGATIVE 1. Use of affirmative sentences with a phrase like any. e.g. *Rohit needs any pen and he wants to borrow it from Rahul. Rohit needs a pen and he wants to borrow it from Rahul. 2. Use of affirmative sentences when you intend to ask a question. e.g. *Student: I may borrow your book, sir. (in a rising tone) Teacher: Yes, you can. Student: May I borrow your book, sir? Teacher: Yes, you can. 3. Not using affirmative sentences with phrases like some and a lot of e.g. *Will he have to earn some money to buy a car? He will have to earn some money to buy a car. 4. Use of negation with phrases like some, a lot of etc. e.g. *I dont have some money. I dont have any money. 5. Use of negation with an already negative sentence. e.g. *We cant find no good books to read. We cant find any good books to read. 6. Use of negation with a phrase like never e.g. * I didnt have never expected such behavior from you. I didnt have ever expected such behavior from you.

I have never expected such behavior from you. Practice Set 1. I wont eat no chocolate today. 2. Johns friends ever drink alcohol. 3. I havent never seen some polar bears. 4. Arent there any children in the class? 5. Peter needs any money and he wants to borrow it from Robin. 6. I need a vacation as I am tired of work. 7. The driver hasnt never found any gold. 8. John: Which color dress do you need? Mary: Some of them will do. 9. There are not a lot of students in the class. 10. I havent read some books, but the ones that I have read are extremely good. Answers 1. I wont eat any chocolate today. 2. Johns friends never drink alcohol. 3. I havent ever seen any polar bears. 4. Arent there any children in the class? 5. Peter needs some money and he wants to borrow it from Robin. 6. I need a vacation as I am tired of work. 7. The driver has never found any gold. 8. John: Which color dress do you need? Mary: Any of them will do. 9. There are not many students in the class. 10. I havent read many books, but the ones that I have read are extremely good. MODULE-2 ARTICLES Articles are of two types: i. Indefinite (a, an) ii. Definite (the) Use of An: 1. Before words begin with vowel sounds: e.g. An apple, an egg etc. 2. Before words beginning with silent h: e.g. An hour, an honest man etc. 3. F, H, L, M, N, R, S, X are not vowels but begin with vowel sound when they are in abbreviated form: e.g. An M.L.A., an R.A.F, an N.C.C., an F.I.R. Use of A: 1. In the sense of one: e.g. He could not speak a word to save himself. 2. Before words beginning with consonant sound: e.g. A boy, a dog etc. 3. With vowel letters having consonant sounds: e.g. A university, a unique article etc. 4. With units and rate: e.g. Rice sells ten rupees a kilo. 5. When two subjects or articles are thought of as a single unit:

e.g. He was ready with a cup and saucer. 6. With certain expressions of quantity: e.g. A lot of, a dozen, a couple 7. To make a common noun of a proper noun: e.g. This man is a second Newton. 8. In exclamatory expressions before singular countable nouns: e.g. What a beautiful place! Use of The: 1. When a singular noun represents a whole class: e.g. The mango is considered the king of fruits. 2. With names of gulfs, rivers, oceans, islands, mountains: e.g. The Himalayas, the Ganges, the Red Sea, the Andaman islands 3. With names of certain books, musical instruments, religious groups: e.g. the Bible, the flute, the Hindus 4. With names of political parties, monuments, ordinals and superlative degree: e.g. The Democratic Party, the Taj Mahal, the tenth block, the saddest day NOUNS Nouns which are used in singular form: i. Scenery, information, furniture, advice, machinery, stationary, news, poetry, business, mischief, fuel, issue, repair, bedding [All * are wrong] e.g. The scenery of this place is worth watching. *The sceneries of these places are worth watching. ii. Physics, Mathematics, Economics etc. e.g. Economics is a very interesting subject. *Economics are very interesting subjects. ii. Brick, bread, fruit, word etc. e.g. He is true to his word. * He is true to his words iii. Dozen, score, hundred, thousand, million etc. when preceded by a numeral. e.g. He bought ten dozen mangoes. * He bought ten dozens mangoes. iv. A ten-rupee note, a two-hour journey, a four-mile walk, a five-year plan e.g. A ten-rupee note is lying here. * A ten-rupees note is lying here. Nouns used only in plural form: i. Cattle, police, poultry, people, gentry etc. e.g. The police have caught the thief. * The police has caught the thief. ii. Scissors, trousers, stockings, spectacles, riches, goods, measles etc. e.g. My spectacles are missing. * My spectacle is missing. Nouns used both as singular and plural in the same form: 1. Deer, sheep, fish, apparatus, wages etc. e.g. The wages of sin is death. The wages of the workers have been raised.

2. Collective nouns such as jury, public, team, audience, committee, government, orchestra etc. e.g. The jury has taken decision to organize the event the next month. The jury were divided as there was a conflict of opinion. 3. One of or any of is followed by plural words. e.g. I want one of the books kept on the table. Any of these tools may serve the purpose. PRONOUNS Subjective/Nomin ative I You He She It We They Who Objective/Accus ative Me You Him Her It Us Them Whom Possessive/Genit ive Mine/My Yours/Your His Hers/Her Its Ours/Our Theirs/Their Whose Reflexive Pronouns Myself Yourself Himself Herself Itself Ourself Themself ---

1. The pronoun one must be followed by ones e.g. One must do ones duty to ones country. 2. Everyone or Everybody must be followed by his. e.g. Everyone should love his country. 3. Let is followed by pronoun in the objective case. e.g. Let him go. 4. But and except are followed by pronoun in the objective case. e.g. Everyone attended the party except him. * Everyone attended the party except he. 5. Who denotes the subject and whom denotes the object. e.g. Who do you think did that job? Whom did you abuse? 6. Whose is used for persons and which for lifeless objects. e.g. This is the table which I was talking about. He is married to Sunita who is Raghavs daughter. 7. Each other is used for the two and one another for more than two. e.g. John and Mary love each other. They help one another. PREPOSITIONS Prepositions of Time: 1. At is used: a. With a definite point of time: e.g. I usually get up at 5 o clock. b. With festivals: e.g. He will come at Holi.

2. In is used: 1. With the parts of the days, months and years. e.g. In summer the weather is warm. 4. On is used with days and dates: e.g. My brother will arrive on Monday. My birthday is on the first of June. 5. By refers to the latest time at which an action will be over. e.g. The examination will be over by 5 pm. 6. For is used with perfect continuous tense showing the duration of action. e.g. I have been here for three years. 6. Since is used with the point of time when action begins and continues. e.g. He has been ill since yesterday. 7. From refers to the starting point of action: e.g. She came from USA. Prepositions of Position: 1. At refers to an exact point; In is used for larger area. e.g. He studied at Oxford. He lives in Bombay. 2. Between is used for two persons or things; Among is used for more than two. Can you distribute these sweets between him and me? Can you distribute these sweets among the three boys? 3. Under is used for vertically below; Below is used for lower than. e.g. It is shady under the tree. Your work is below average. Prepositions of Direction: 1. To is used to express motion from one place to another; Towards refers to direction. e.g. We walked to the river. He saw me running towards him. 2. Beside means by the side of and Besides means in addition to. e.g. I sat down beside my wife. Besides being a teacher, he is also a lawyer. ADVERBS 1. Adverbs of manner, place and time are usually placed after the verb or object: e.g. He was running slowly. Reena does her work carefully. 2. Adverbs of frequency are normally put between subject and verb: e.g. He often goes to Delhi. 3. The adverb enough is placed after the adjective: e.g. She is clever enough to understand things. 4. Ever is sometimes incorrectly used for never: e.g. *He seldom or ever tells a lie. He seldom or never tells a lie. 5. The word only should be placed immediately before the word it modifies: e.g. Hari answered only two questions.