Red Book of Common Error 1

Question 1

1.✗He made a 360-degree turn in his plans.

Answer 1

He made a 180-degree turn in his plans.CWhen you turn 360 degrees you’ve completed a circle and are back where you started. So if you want to describe a position that’s diametrically opposed to another, the expression you want is not ‘360 degrees away’ but ‘180 degrees away.’

Question 2

2.✗The budget shortfall was able to be solved by selling brownies.

Answer 2

The minister was able to solve the budget shortfall.CPeople are able to do things, but things are not able to be done.

Question 3

3.✗I did illude to my son’s success.

Answer 3

I did allude to my son’s success.C’Allude’ means refer. There is no such word as ‘illude.’

Question 4

4.✗Anyone of the tickets may win.

Answer 4

Any one of the tickets may winCWhen it means ‘anybody,’ ‘anyone’ is spelled as a single word: ‘anyone can enter the drawing competition.’ But when it means ‘any single one,’ ‘any one’ is spelled as two words: ‘any one’ of the tickets may win.

Question 5

5.✗It was an anteclimax.

Answer 5

It was an anticlimax.CWhen an exciting build-up leads to a disappointing end, the result is an anticlimax—the opposite of a climax. The prefix ‘anti-‘ is used to indicate opposition, whereas the prefix ‘ante-‘ is used to indicate that something precedes something else; so be careful not to misspell this word as ‘anteclimax.’

Question 6

6.✗His behaviour is amoral.

Answer 6

His behaviour is immoral.C’Amoral’ is a rather technical word meaning unrelated to morality or indifferent to morality. When you mean to denounce someone’s behaviour, call it ‘immoral.’

Question 7

7.✗Enclosed is the shipment as per your order.

Answer 7

Enclosed is the shipment you ordered.CThe first sentence sounds very old-fashioned and pretentious. The meaning is ‘in accordance with,’ or ‘in response to the request made’, but it is better to avoid these substitutes altogether.

Question 8

8.✗I would like to apprise you of its value.

Answer 8

I would like to appraise you of its value.CWhen you estimate the value of something, you ‘appraise’ it. When you inform people of a situation, you ‘apprise’ them of it.

Question 9

9.✗The CEO had a high opinion of himself and as such expected everyone to obey his orders instantly.

Answer 9

The CEO was a former drill sergeant, and as such expected everyone to obey his orders instantly.CThe expression ‘as such’ has to refer to some status mentioned earlier. In this case ‘such’ refers back to ‘former drill sergeant.’ But often people only imply that which is referred to, as in ‘as such’. Here the ‘such’ cannot logically refer back to ‘opinion.’ In such a case, replace ‘as such’ with ‘therefore.’

Question 10

10.✗My job is my avocation.

Answer 10

My job is my vocation.CYour avocation is just your hobby; don’t mix it up with your job: your vocation.

Question 11

11.✗Small children should ride in the backseat.

Answer 11

Small children should ride in the back seat.CAlthough you will often see people writing about the ‘backseat’ of a car, the standard and still most common spelling of the noun form is as two words: ‘back seat.’ Small children should ride in the back seat. In a crisis, planning takes a back seat to immediate action. The one-word adjective ‘backseat’ is appropriate when it describes where something is. The backseat area is cramped in this model. Don’t be a backseat driver. Conservatives prefer the hyphenated spelling ‘back-seat’ for this sort of use: the back-seat area, a back-seat driver.

Question 12

12.✗The lady tried to barter a pair of jeans.

Answer 12

The lady tried to haggle for a pair of jeans.CWhen you offer to trade your vintage jeans for a handwoven shirt, you are engaged in ‘barter’—no money is involved. One thing (or service) is traded for another. But when you offer to buy that shirt for less money than the vendor is asking, you are engaged in ‘haggling’ or ‘bargaining’, not bartering.

Question 13

13.✗He bought a shirt from the bizarre.

Answer 13

He bought a shirt from the bazaar.CA ‘bazaar’ is a market where miscellaneous goods are sold. ‘Bizarre,’ in contrast, is an adjective meaning ‘strange,’ ‘weird.’

Question 14

14.✗I have made a new blog today.

Answer 14

I put up a new post on my blog today.CAround the turn of the millennium, keepers of journals on the World Wide Web began to shorten the term ‘Web log’ to ‘blog,’ and referred to the activity of keeping a blog as ‘blogging.’ The common term referring to a single entry in a blog is ‘post’ (short for posting). But ‘post’ is also a verb: you post an entry to your blog. Amidst all this overlapping terminology, many confused people have begun to refer to the individual entries as ‘blogs,’ writing: ‘I made a new blog today’ when they mean ‘I put up a new post on my blog today.’

Question 15

15.✗Try to boast your confidence.

Answer 15

Try to bolster/boost your confidence.CA bolster is a large pillow, and when you bolster something you support it as if you were propping it up with a pillow. Thus the expression is ‘bolster your confidence.’ People unfamiliar with the word sometimes say instead ‘boast your confidence.’ They may also be confusing this saying with ‘boost your confidence.’

Question 16

16.✗He wrote a blatantly brilliant paper.

Answer 16

He told a blatant lie.CThe classic meaning of ‘blatant’ is ‘noisily conspicuous,’ but it has long been extended to any objectionable obviousness. A person engaging in blatant behaviour is usually behaving in a highly objectionable manner, being brazen. Unfortunately, many people nowadays think that ‘blatant’ simply means ‘obvious’ and use it in a positive sense, as in ‘He wrote a blatantly brilliant paper.’ Use ‘blatant’ or ‘blatantly’ only when you think the people you are talking about should be ashamed of themselves.

Question 17

17.✗I have CD-ROM disc.

Answer 17

I have a CD-ROM.C ‘CD-ROM’ stands for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory so adding another ‘disc’ or ‘disk’ is redundant. The same goes for ‘DVD’ (from Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc—there are non-video versions). Don’t say ‘Give me that DVD disk,’ just ‘Give me that DVD.’

Question 18

18.✗We were in close proximity

Answer 18

We were in proximity.C’Close proximity’ is a redundancy. ‘In proximity to’ means ‘close to.’

Question 19

19.✗I made a concerted effort.

Answer 19

We made a concerted effort.COne cannot make a ‘concerted effort’ all by oneself. To work ‘in concert’ is to work together with others. One can, however, make a ‘concentrated’ effort. The prefix ‘con-‘ means ‘with.’

Question 20

20.✗I cut and paste the matter.

Answer 20

I copy and paste the matter.CBecause ‘cut and paste’ is a familiar phrase, many people say it when they mean ‘copy and paste’ when working on a computer. This can lead to disastrous results if followed literally by an inexpert person. If you mean to tell someone to duplicate something rather than move it, say ‘copy.’ And when you are moving bits of computer information from one place to another, the safest sequence is often to copy the original, paste the copy elsewhere, and only then delete the original.

Question 21

21.The dateline was Delhi, June 2, 2010.✗

Answer 21

The deadline was Delhi, June 2, 2010. CThe word ‘dateline’ is used today mainly to label the bit of text at the top of a printed news story that indicates where and—often, but not always—when it was written. Probably because this rather obscure word has been popularised by its use for the name of an NBC television news show, some people confuse it with ‘deadline,’ which is most often the date by which something must be accomplished. You can miss deadlines, meet deadlines, or have to deal with short deadlines—but not datelines.

Question 22

22.✗When arranging the party for the boss, be sure to be discrete.

Answer 22

When arranging the party for the boss, be sure to be discreet.CThe more common word is ‘discreet,’ meaning ‘prudent, circumspect’: ‘When arranging the party for the boss, be sure to be discreet; we want him to be surprised.’ ‘Discrete’ means ‘separate, distinct’: ‘He arranged the guest list into two discrete groups: non-vegetarians and vegetarians.’ Note how the ‘T’ separates the two ‘Es’ in ‘discrete.’

Question 23

23.✗Remember the do’s and don’t’s.

Answer 23

Remember the dos and don’ts.COne unusual use of apostrophes is to mark plurals of words when they are being treated as words, as in ‘pro’s and con’s,’ although plain old ‘pros and cons’ without apostrophes is fine. But ‘don’t’ already has one apostrophe in it, and adding another looks awkward in the phrase ‘do’s and don’t’s,’ so people wind up being inconsistent and writing ‘do’s and don’ts.’ This makes no logical sense. You can also skip the extra apostrophes and write ‘dos and don’ts,’ unless you’re afraid that ‘dos’ will remind your readers of MS-DOS.

Question 24

24.✗I will download the video of your birthday party to YouTube.

Answer 24

I will upload the video of your birthday party to YouTube.CMost people do far more downloading (transferring files to their computers) than uploading (transferring files from their computers), so it’s not surprising that they often use the first word for the second word’s meaning. You don’t download the video of your birthday party to YouTube—you upload it.

Question 25

25.✗I want to tell you about animals, i.e. zebras.

Answer 25

I want to tell you about animals, e.g. zebras.CWhen you mean 'for example,' use e.g. It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia. When you mean 'that is,' use 'i.e.' It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est. Either can be used to clarify a preceding statement, the first by example, the second by restating the idea more clearly or expanding upon it. Because these uses are so similar, the two abbreviations are easily confused. If you just stick with good old English 'for example' and 'that is', you won't give anyone a chance to sneer at you. If you insist on using the abbreviation, perhaps 'example given' will remind you to use 'e.g.,' while 'in effect' suggests 'i.e.' Since e.g. indicates a partial list, it is redundant to add 'etc.' at the end of a list introduced by this abbreviation.

Question 26

26.✗The distinguishing cuts made into an animal's ear are its hallmarks.

Answer 26

The distinguishing cuts made into an animal's ear are its earmarks.C The distinguishing cuts made into an animal's ear are its earmarks. They work like brands to mark ownership. Originally, gold and silver articles assayed at Goldsmith's Hall in London received a 'Hallmark' to certify them as genuine.

Question 27

27.✗The set didn't phase her.

Answer 27

The set didn't faze her.C'Faze' means to embarrass or disturb, but is almost always used in the negative sense. 'Phase' is a noun or verb that signifies a distinct period. 'He's just going through a difficult phase.'

Question 28

28.✗He was feint of heart.

Answer 28

He was faint of heart.CA feint, whether in chess or on the battlefield, is a manoeuvre designed to divert the opponent's attention from the real centre of attack. A feint is a daring move. Do not use this very specialized word in the expression 'faint of heart' (or 'faint at heart'), which implies timidity.

Question 29

29.✗She has a flare for writing.

Answer 29

She has a flair for writing.C'Flair' is conspicuous talent: 'She has a flair for writing.' 'Flare' is either a noun meaning 'flame' or a verb meaning to blaze with light or to burst into anger.

Question 30

30.✗She tried to flout her diamond necklace.

Answer 30

She tried to flaunt her diamond necklace.CTo flaunt is to show off: you flaunt your new necklace by wearing it to work. 'Flout' has a more negative connotation; it means to treat with contempt some rule or standard. The cliché is 'to flout convention.' Flaunting may be in bad taste because it's ostentatious, but it is not a violation of standards.

Question 31

31.✗He could forsee the future.

Answer 31

He could foresee the future.CForsee is a misspelling. The word 'foresee' means 'to see into the future.' There are lots of words with the prefix 'fore-' which are future-oriented, including 'foresight,' 'foretell,' 'forethought' and 'foreword,' all of which are often misspelled by people who omit the 'e'. Golfers shout 'fore!' when they are warning people ahead of them about shot as.

Question 32

32.✗The use of this gadget is full proof.

Answer 32

The use of this gadget is foolproof.C If you want to get credit for solving a complicated mathematical problem, you will have to provide a 'full proof.' But if you're referring to something that can't go wrong you want to make it 'foolproof.'

Question 33

33.✗He wrote in the 50's.

Answer 33

He wrote in the 50s.CThere's no requirement for the apostrophe before the 'S' in decade names like 50s and 60s, since there are no omitted letters. The term may be written ''50s' since '19' is being omitted, but '50s' is fine too.

Question 34

34.✗She is my fiancé.

Answer 34

She is my fiancée.CYour 'fiancé' is the man you plan to marry; your 'fiancée' is the woman you plan to marry.

Question 35

35.✗I am developing a feeling about you.

Answer 35

I am developing feelings for you.CWhen someone says 'I'm developing feelings for you,' the message is 'I'm falling in love with you.' Feelings for are always positive feelings. In contrast, feelings about something or someone can be either positive or negative: 'I've got a bad feeling about this.'

Question 36

36.✗He tried to garnish attention.

Answer 36

He tried to garner attention.CA garner was originally a granary, and to garner something is to gather it in. Today the word rarely has to do with agriculture: we garner attention, praise, awards, evidence, and sympathy. To garnish something is to decorate it. You can garnish a dish. Quite a few people use 'garnish' when they should be using 'garner.'

Question 37

37.✗He is hairbrained.

Answer 37

He is harebrained.CAlthough 'hairbrained' is common, the original word 'harebrained' means 'silly as a hare' (the little rabbit-like creature) and is preferred in writing.

Question 38

38.✗Poverty goes hand and hand with malnutrition.

Answer 38

Poverty goes hand in hand with malnutrition.C'Poverty goes hand in hand with malnutrition.' The image here is of the two subjects holding hands, one hand in the other. The phrase is very frequently misspelled 'hand and hand,' which is incorrect.

Question 39

39.✗Friend, Happy Belated Birthday.

Answer 39

Friend, Belated Happy Birthday.CWhen someone has forgotten your birthday, they're likely to send you a card reading 'Happy Belated Birthday.' But this is a mistake. The birthday isn't belated; the wishes are. Better-phrased cards read 'Belated Happy Birthday.'

Question 40

40.✗He spoke on HIV virus.

Answer 40

He spoke on HIV.C'HIV' stands for 'human immunodeficiency virus,' so adding the word 'virus' to the acronym creates a redundancy. 'HIV' is the name of the organism that is the cause of AIDS, not a name for the disease itself. A person may be HIV-positive (a test shows the person to be infected with the virus) without having yet developed AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is the cause, AIDS the result.

Question 41

41.✗He don't have no money.

Answer 41

He doesn't have any money.CIn formal English, 'don't' is not used in the third person singular. 'I don't like avocado ice cream' is correct, and so is 'they don't have their passports yet' but 'he don't have no money,' though common in certain dialects, is non-standard on two counts: it should be 'he doesn't' and 'any money'. The same is true of other forms: 'she don't' and 'it don't' should be 'she doesn't' and 'it doesn't'.

Question 42

42.✗I am heading northbound on NH 24.

Answer 42

I am heading north.CIf you're reporting on traffic conditions, it's redundant to say 'heading northbound on I-5.' It's either 'heading north' or 'northbound.'

Question 43

43.✗He is the hero in the film.

Answer 43

He is the protagonist in the film.CIn ordinary usage, 'hero' has two meanings: 'leading character in a story' and 'brave, admirable person.' In simple tales, the two meanings may work together, but in modern literature and film the leading character or 'protagonist' (a technical term common in literary criticism) may behave in a very unheroic fashion.

Question 44

44.✗This is a highbred plant.

Answer 44

This is a hybrid plant.C'Highbred' (often spelled 'high-bred') is occasionally used to label animals with superior ancestry. Snobs used to refer to members of the nobility as 'highbred.' But this rare word is often confused with 'hybrid,' which describes plants, animals, and people that are the product of mixed heritage.

Question 45

45.✗He is highly looked upon.

Answer 45

He is highly regarded.CMany people, struggling to remember the phrase 'highly regarded', come up with the awkward 'highly looked upon' instead, which suggests that the looker is placed in a high position, looking down, when what is meant is that the looker is looking up to someone or something admirable.

Question 46

46.✗I like ice tea.

Answer 46

I like iced tea.CIced tea is not literally made of ice, it simply is 'iced'. It has ice put into it.

Question 47

47.✗His lecture was impactful.

Answer 47

His lecture made an impact.CMany people in business and education like to speak of things that have an impact as being 'impactful,' but this term does not appear in most dictionaries. Use 'influential' or 'effective' instead.

Question 48

48.✗I like this despite of its price.

Answer 48

I like this in spite of its price.CAlthough 'in spite of' is perfectly standard English, some people prefer 'despite' because it is shorter. Be careful not to mix the two together by saying 'despite of' except as part of the phrase 'in despite of' meaning 'in defiance of.' And note that unlike 'despite,' 'in spite' should always be spelled as two separate words.

Question 49

49.✗He has been indited with a crime.

Answer 49

He has been indicted with a crime.C'Indite' is a rare word meaning 'to write down'. Authorities indict a person charged with a crime. This act is called an 'indictment.' The 'C' is not pronounced in these words, so that 'indict' sounds exactly like 'indite,' but don't let that cause you to misspell them.

Question 50

50.✗He is in store for a surprise on his birthday.

Answer 50

A surprise is in store for him on his birthday.CSome people say things like 'he is in store for a surprise on his birthday' when they mean he is in line for a surprise. The metaphor is not based on the image of going shopping in a store but of encountering something awaiting you—stored up for you—so the correct form would be 'a surprise is in store for him on his birthday.'

Question 51

51.✗After the earthquake everything was in tact in his house.

Answer 51

After the earthquake everything was intact in his house.CWhen something survives undamaged, whole, it is not 'in tact' but 'intact'—one word, unbroken.

Question 52

52.✗He met him in route.

Answer 52

He met him en route.C'En route' is a French phrase meaning 'on the way.'

Question 53

53.✗My teacher tried to install courage in me.

Answer 53

My teacher tried to instill courage in me.CYou 'install' equipment, you 'instill' feelings or attitudes.

Question 54

54.✗Infact this is the truth.

Answer 54

In fact this is the truth.C 'In fact' is always two words.

Question 55

55.✗Irregardless of what you say I will help him.

Answer 55

Regardless of what you say I will help him.CRegardless of what you have heard, 'irregardless' is a redundancy. The suffix '-less' at the end of the word already makes the word negative. It doesn't need the negative prefix 'ir-' added to make it even more negative.

Question 56

56.✗My child studies in kindergarden.

Answer 56

My child studies in kindergarten.CThe original German spelling of the word 'kindergarten' is standard in English.

Question 57

57.✗I saw an LCD display presentation.

Answer 57

I saw an LCD presentation.C'LCD' stands for 'liquid crystal display', so some argue it is redundant to write 'LCD display' and say that you should use just 'LCD' or 'LCD screen' instead. But some others also say argue that 'LCD display' is the generic term for the category which comprises both LCD screens and LCD projectors. However, if you want to avoid the redundancy in wording, you can still refer more precisely to your laptop or TV as having an LCD screen. Many people confuse this abbreviation with 'LED,' which stands for 'light-emitting diode'—a much earlier technology.

Question 58

58.✗Let alone the details of the story, I can't remember the title of the book we were supposed to read.

Answer 58

I can't remember the title of the book we were supposed to read, let alone the details of the story.CIn sentences like these you give a lesser example of something first, followed by 'let alone' and then the greater example. But people often get this backwards, and put the greater example first. The same pattern is followed when the expression is 'much less': 'I can't change the oil in my car, much less tune the engine.' The speaker can much less well tune the engine than he or she can change the oil.

Question 59

59.✗Do log on to the website.

Answer 59

Please visit the websiteCYou log on to a website by entering your ID and password. If you are merely encouraging people to visit a site which has no such requirement, it is misleading to ask them to 'log on' to it. News reporters often get this wrong by reporting how many people 'logged on' to a particular site when they mean 'visited.'

Question 60

60.✗Multiply by double.

Answer 60

Multiply by 2.CIf you are talking about making a number twice as large, the expression is 'double' or 'multiply by 2': 'double your sales to multiply your income by 2.' You could properly say 'increase by 100%' to mean the same thing, but lots of people won't understand that. And definitely do not confuse people by saying 'multiply by double.'

Question 61

61.✗The horse race was a neck in neck finish.

Answer 61

The horse race was a neck and neck finish.CWhen a race is very tight, it's described not as 'neck in neck' but 'neck and neck'.

Question 62

62.✗I was nonplussed with the car diver.

Answer 62

I was nonplussed with the problem.C'Nonplussed' means to be stuck, often in a puzzling or embarrassing way, unable to go further ('non' = 'no' + 'plus' = 'further'). It does not mean, as many people seem to think, 'calm, in control.'

Question 63

63.✗He was to overlook the dinner.

Answer 63

He was to oversee the dinner.CWhen you oversee the preparation of dinner, you take control and manage the operation closely. But if you overlook the preparation of dinner, you forget to prepare the meal entirely.

Question 64

64.✗I have a PC Computer.

Answer 64

I have a PC. CThe phrase 'PC computer' is a bit awkward and redundant since 'PC' stands for 'personal computer.'

Question 65

65.✗The law perse is not clear.

Answer 65

The law per se is not clear.CThis legal term (meaning 'in, of, or by itself') is a bit pretentious, but you gain little respect if you misspell 'per se' as a single word. Worse is the mistaken 'per say.'

Question 66

66.✗The sun revolves round its axis.

Answer 66

The sun rotates round its axis.CIn ordinary speech these two words are often treated as interchangeable, though it's 'revolving credit account' and 'rotating crops.' Scientists make a sharp distinction between the two: the earth revolves (orbits) around the sun but rotates (spins) around its axis.

Question 67

67.✗Can I have some scramble egg?

Answer 67

Can I have some scrambled eggs?CWhen you scramble eggs they become scrambled eggs.

Question 68

68.✗He went scotch free.

Answer 68

He went scot free.CGetting away with something 'scot free' has nothing to do with the Scots (or Scotch). The 'scot' was a medieval tax; if you evaded paying it you got off scot free.

Question 69

69.✗I was taken back by his sudden change in behaviour.

Answer 69

I was taken aback by his sudden change in behaviour.CWhen you're startled by something, you're taken aback by it. When you're reminded of something from your past, you're taken back to that time.

Question 70

70.✗The spot was a good vintage point.

Answer 70

The spot was a good vantage point.C The spot from which you have a good view is a vantage point.

Question 71

71.✗He was wrapped in thought.

Answer 71

He was rapt in thought.CWhen you get deeply involved in a project, you may say you're wrapped up in it; but if you are entranced or enraptured by something, you are 'rapt' not 'wrapped.' The word means 'carried away' and is used in expressions, like listening with rapt attention, rapt expression, and rapt in conversation.

Question 72

72.✗He spoke on ying and yang.

Answer 72

He spoke on yin and yang.CThe pair of female and male terms in Chinese thought consists of 'yin and yang,' not 'ying and yang.

Question 73

73✗The above remarks apply to all students.

Answer 73

The preceding remarks (or the remarks given/mentioned above) apply to all students.CAbove is not an adjective.

.Above for foregoing or preceding

Question 74

74✗That aggravating boy makes me see red!

Answer 74

The hot weather aggravated his illness.CAggravate means 'make worse' and is generally used with an object.

.Aggravate for annoy

Question 75

✗He parts his hair in the centre.

Answer 75

This is the centre of the circle.CCentre is a 'definite point'; middle is the 'indefinite space' around or near the centre.

Question 76

76.Climax for crisis✗This difficult and dangerous political situation marked a climax in the nation's history.

Answer 76

He reached the climax of his acting career with a brilliant performance on television.CClimax is the 'highest point', a crisis is the 'turning point'.

Question 77

77.Consider as for consider✗Please consider me as your friend.

Answer 77

Please consider me your friend.CThis mistake is perhaps caused by the confusion with 'regard'. E.g. Please regard me as your friend.

Question 78

✗He is a coward man.

Answer 78

He is a cowardly man.CCoward is a noun, the adjective of which is cowardly.

Question 79

✗He denied my offer of help.

Answer 79

He refused my offer of help and denied that he needed it.CDeny is to answer in the negative or to say that something is not true; refuse is to not take what is offered or to not do what one is asked to do.

Question 80

80.Explain me for explain to me✗Please explain me this exercise.

Answer 80

Please explain this exercise to me.CThe syntax of the first sentence is incorrect.

Question 81

✗Shut the window; it is fairly cold.

Answer 81

Shut the window; it is rather cold.CFairly and rather both mean somewhat, but 'fairly' is used when we wish to express a pleasant or desirable idea, and 'rather' when we wish to express an unpleasant or undesirable idea. E.g. The room is fairly big and I can put all my things in it. The room is rather big and I'm sure it will be draughty and uncomfortable. Notice that 'rather' as an understatement for 'very' is used with both pleasant and unpleasant ideas. E.g. You are rather clever to do this.

Question 82

82.Far for a long way✗He lives far from the station.

Answer 82

He lives a long way from the station.CFar is used: •in interrogative and negative sentences. •in the expressions—how far, so far, too far, as far as. In other cases it is replaced by a long way.

Question 83

83.Habit for custom✗Drinking tea is an English habit.

Answer 83

Drinking tea is an English custom.C 'Habit' is for individuals, 'custom' is for a country or society; it is a widely accepted way of behaving in a society. Habit means 'regular tendency'.

Question 84

84.Invent for discover✗Columbus invented America.

Answer 84

Columbus discovered America.C'Invent' means 'to make or design something that did not exist before'. 'Discover' refers 'to the finding of a place or thing that already exists'. Therefore, the term 'discover' is used.

Question 85

✗May I lend your umbrella? Mine is at home.

Answer 85

May I borrow your umbrella? Mine is at home.CLend is to 'give temporarily to'; borrow is to 'get temporarily from', e.g. We borrow books from a lending library.

Question 86

✗•They literally flooded the place with pamphlets and papers. •His eyes literally devoured the scene.

Answer 86

He translated the poem literally and did not attempt a free rendering.C Clearly, in the first two sentences, the word literally should not be used and 'flooded' and 'devoured' must not be taken literally but metaphorically, or the results will be quite absurd.

Question 87

87.Materialize for happen✗Don't worry about another war; it may never materialize.

Answer 87

We waited for the ghost, but it failed to materialize.CMaterialize means 'take bodily shape'.

Question 88

✗He speaks with a measure of hesitation.

Answer 88

I bought a pound of bananas and the greengrocer gave me a good measure.CHesitation is a quality which cannot be quantified.

Question 89

✗At that time France and England had a mutual enemy in Germany.

Answer 89

My cousin and I enjoy the mutual benefits of a shared television set.CFowler writes, 'mutual is a well-known trap. The essence of its meaning is that it involves the relation, x is or does to y as y to x; and not the relation, x is or does to z as y to z; from which it follows that our mutual friend Jones (meaning Jones who is your friend as well as mine) and all similar phrases, are misuses.'

Question 90

✗Children should obey to their parents.

Answer 90

Children should obey their parents.CThe noun obedience is followed by 'to', but not the verb obey.

90.Obey to for obey

Question 91

✗He shut the radio, then opened the taps for his bath.

Answer 91

He turned off the radio, then turned on the taps for his bath.CTo open means to move something (e. g. a door, a window) so as to lower space, shut means to move something to block an upcoming.


91.Open and shut for turn on and turn off (taps, lights, gas, radio, television)

Question 92

✗They had a good play of football.

Answer 92

They had a good game of football.C Play (an uncountable noun here) is the general word for the action of sport; game (countable) is a particular spell of play. Play is also used as a verb usually with game, e.g., We played this game until the rain stopped play.

92.Play for game

Question 93

✗I'm coming; I've practically finished.

Answer 93

Theoretically it seems right, but practically it does not work.CPractically means 'in a practical manner' or 'in practice'.

93.Practically for almost or nearly

Question 94

✗His observations on space travel had a reaction on every continent. When I read the news, my reaction was hostile.

Answer 94

Last night he was excited; now, by way of reaction, he is depressed.CReaction means •responsive or reciprocal action, •return of previous condition after interval of opposite or •(chiefly political) counter-stroke or retrograde tendency.

94.Reaction for opinion, view, attitude, feeling, action, effect or influences

Question 95

✗Please remember me to bring some cakes.

Answer 95

Please remind me to bring some cakes.CRemember means 'to have in mind'; remind means 'to make one remember'. In letters, 'Remember me kindly to your parents' means 'I send greetings to your parents'.

95.Remember for remind

Question 96

✗They robbed a bicycle from him.

Answer 96

They stole a bicycle from him.CThe object of steal is the thing taken by the thief, e.g., a bicycle, jewellery, money. The object of rob is the person or place from whom or which the thing is taken, e.g., a millionaire, a house, a bank.

96.Robbed for stole

Question 97

✗He wrote shortly because he had very little paper.

Answer 97

He wrote briefly because he had very little paper.CShortly refers to time, and briefly to manner. e.g., I will write shortly (soon); and I will write not briefly but fully.

Question 98

✗He has been sick for three years now.

Answer 98

He has been ill for three years now.C'To be ill' means 'to be in bad health'. 'To be sick' means 'to vomit', or 'to be temporarily indisposed'. Sick can be used before a noun, or as a noun in the plural, e.g., We visit the sick; and they are grateful, especially the sick children. Ill cannot be used in this way. We must say 'The man who is ill', not 'The ill man'.

Question 99

99.Tell for say✗He said a lot of lies, and then went without telling me goodbye.

Answer 99

He told a lot of lies, and then went without saying goodbye to me.CTell means to give information (the truth, lies, stories, the time) or to calculate, to distinguish or to order. Say is used for actual words as they are spoken, or for their meaning in indirect speech. Notice however, that when 'say' in direct speech is followed by an object, 'tell' replaces it in indirect speech. e.g., He said to his daughter, 'You are very silly.' (Direct) He told his daughter that she was very silly. (Indirect)

Question 100

100.Thank you for no, thank you ✗More tea? Thank you. (I don't want any more.)

Answer 100

More tea? No, thank you. (I don't want any more.)CThank you alone has neither a negative nor an affirmative implication. It is therefore necessary to make your answer clear by saying 'No, thank you' or 'Yes, thank you.'

Question 101

101.Too for very✗The weather is too hot—I enjoy it like this.

Answer 101

The weather is very hot—I enjoy it like this.CToo has the meaning of excess. It means 'very' only in such hyperbolic expressions as 'too beautiful for words', 'you're too kind', etc.

Question 102

102.Transpire for happen or occur✗This transpired to be the last football game of the season.

Answer 102

If these secret conditions should transpire, your life will be in danger.CTranspire means 'to come to be known', or 'to prove to be the case', To use it in the sense of 'to happen' or 'occur' is not very appropriate.

Question 103

103.'What have you?' for 'What is the matter?'✗You are very pale; what have you this morning?

Answer 103

You are very pale; what is the matter with you this morning?C'What have you?' is used to inquire about what one has, and not in what condition one is.

Question 104

104.Win for beat✗We always win your team at cricket.

Answer 104

We always beat your team at cricket.CWin is to gain something for which you have tried (a prize, approval, a game, a battle); beat is to overcome an opponent, e.g., The girls beat the boys and won a silver cup. Notice that 'to get a win' and 'to get a beating' are opposites.

Question 105

105.✗The magistrate issued order for his arrest.

Answer 105

The magistrate issued orders for his arrest.COrders in this sense should always be used in the plural, e.g., orders for expulsion, orders for execution, orders for promotion, orders for dismissal, etc.

Question 106

2.✗My father is leaving for Delhi by the 8:30 o'clock bus.

Answer 106

My father is leaving for Delhi by the 8:30 bus.CDon't use 'o'clock' when minutes are also mentioned, e.g. 'by the 9:45 train', or 'by the 9 o'clock train'.

Question 107

3.✗He has built a new home for himself.

Answer 107

He has built a new house for himself.CWhereas a house is any building meant for residence, a home is a place of residence with long associations. A 'home' may also mean 'one's country'.

Question 108

4.✗His family members are coming by this train.

Answer 108

The members of his family are coming by this train.CThe correct usage is a member of the family, not 'a family member'.

Question 109

5.✗Goodnight, Rita; where have you been all these days?

Answer 109

Good evening, Rita; where have you been all these days?CIt is sometimes forgotten that, 'goodnight' is a parting salutation, 'good evening' is the proper salutation to be used when two people meet for the first time in the evening. One cannot make any further conversation after saying 'goodnight'.

Question 110

6.✗He has already cheated me twice or thrice.

Answer 110

He has already cheated me two or three times.CThough twice means 'two times' and thrice 'three times', they are formal and literary expressions and not for everyday use.

Question 111

7.✗A king's life is different from a prime minister.

Answer 111

A king's life is different from a prime minister's.CIn a comparative statement of this kind, if the first noun is in the possessive case, the second noun too must be in the possessive case.

Question 112

8.✗I gave him one and a half rupee.

Answer 112

I gave him one and a half rupees.CAnything greater than one, even by a narrow margin, takes the plural form.

Question 113

9.✗Has your brother bought a new dress?

Answer 113

Has your brother bought a new suit?CA common error. Remember that whereas men and boys wear 'suits', only women and girls wear 'dresses'; though 'evening dress' is the general word for both sexes.

Question 114

10.✗When I entered the compartment there was no place for me.

Answer 114

When I entered the compartment there was no room for me.CIn this sense, the proper word is room, which means an unoccupied seat or berth.

Question 115

11.✗When I entered the bedroom, I saw a snake crawling on the ground.

Answer 115

When I entered the bedroom, I saw a snake crawling on the floor.CThe ground is part of the house, whereas the floor constitutes a part of the room.

Question 116

12.✗I get a monthly allowance of hundred rupees.

Answer 116

I get a monthly allowance of a hundred rupees.CThe word 'hundred' must always be preceded by the indefinite article 'a'.

Question 117

13.✗Summarize the two first chapters of this book.

Answer 117

Summarize the first two chapters of this book.CObviously there cannot be two first chapters, just as there cannot be two last chapters.

Question 118

14.✗He sold three dozens mangoes.

Answer 118

He sold three dozen mangoes.CIf 'dozen' is preceded by a numeral (say, three, four, five, etc.) or by 'a', use the singular form. The plural form is used in such sentences as 'We saw dozens of elephants, and hundreds of pigeons'.

Question 119

15.✗I have just taken my meals.

Answer 119

I have just had my food (or lunch, dinner).CSince we never have more than one meal at a time, why use the plural form? Besides, use the verb 'have', not 'take'.

Question 120

16.✗I have finished three-fourth of this book.

Answer 120

I have finished three-fourths of this book.C'Three-fourths' implies three parts out of four parts; therefore use the plural form.

Question 121

1.✗He bought a radio for ₹250 and sold the same at a handsome profit.

Answer 121

He bought a radio for ₹250 and sold it at a handsome profit.CThere is a common tendency to use this superfluous expression, 'the same', where the pronoun 'it' would be more suitable. Avoid writing 'I enclose a cheque for ₹175, please acknowledge receipt of the same'.

Question 122

2.✗My sister and myself are pleased to accept your invitation to dinner.

Answer 122

My sister and I are pleased to accept your invitation to dinner.CWhere no particular emphasis is intended, use the simple pronouns 'he, you, I'. Note, for instance, 'I myself was to blame for the accident', or, reflexively, as 'The child hurt itself'.

Question 123

3.✗The visitors enjoyed during their brief stay in Hyderabad.

Answer 123

The visitors enjoyed themselves during their brief stay in Hyderabad.C'Enjoy' is a transitive verb, it must therefore be accompanied by an object, which may be a noun or a reflexive pronoun.

Question 124

4.✗I shall avail of this opportunity to meet you there.

Answer 124

I shall avail myself of this opportunity to meet you there.CThe verb 'avail' must here be followed by a reflexive pronoun.

Question 125

5.✗My children cannot endure my separation.

Answer 125

My children cannot endure separation from me.CIt is not 'someone's separation', but 'separation from someone'.

Question 126

6.✗May I now take your leave?

Answer 126

May I now take leave of you?CTo ask to be away from someone is not to take something which is in his possession.

Question 127

7.✗Can you see me at mine house tomorrow afternoon?

Answer 127

Can you see me at my house tomorrow afternoon?CWe can use 'mine', 'yours', etc. only when the word 'house' has already appeared in this context. For instance, 'If you can't come to my house, I can meet you at yours'.

Question 128

8.✗Will you lend me your pencil, please?—Take.

Answer 128

Will you lend me your pencil, please?—Take it.CIn correct English usage, the verb 'take' must be followed by a suitable noun or pronoun.

Question 129

9.✗Whom do you think will be dismissed first?

Answer 129

Who, do you think, will be dismissed first?CIf you ignore the parenthesis 'do you think', it should be easier to know why 'whom' is wrong. 'Who will be dismissed first', not 'Whom.'

Question 130

10.✗One should always remain loyal to his country.

Answer 130

One should always remain loyal to one's country.CThe indefinite pronoun 'one' must always agree with one of its parts: 'oneself', 'one's', 'one', etc. But this may sometimes be overdone, as in this excerpt from A Winter's Notebook by Somerset Maugham: 'As one grows older one becomes more silent. In one's youth one is ready to pour oneself out to the world; one feels an intense fellowship with other people, one wants to throw oneself in their arms and one feels that they will receive one; one wants to open oneself to them so that they may take one, one wants to penetrate into them; one's life seems to overflow into the lives of others and become one with theirs as the waters of rivers become one in the sea.'

Question 131

11.✗I request your favour of considering me for a transfer.

Answer 131

I request the favour of your considering me for a transfer.CAnother typical error—not 'your state of mind', but 'the state of your mind'.

Question 132

12.✗You are fairer than me.

Answer 132

You are fairer than I.CThe complete sentence would read 'You are fairer than I am'.

Question 133

13.✗He is twenty years old, isn't it?

Answer 133

He is twenty years old, isn't he?CIn the second part of the sentence, the object of the verb 'is' is 'he', not 'it'.

Question 134

14.✗Rita, having finished her paper, she left the examination hail.

Answer 134

Rita, having finished her paper, left the examination hall.CThis is an example of a pronoun used where it is not required.

Question 135

15.✗He has read almost each book of the college library.

Answer 135

He has read almost every book of the college library.CEach is a determiner which is used to refer to every one of the two or more things and cannot be used with almost.

Question 136

2.✗Every one of the two pencils is missing.

Answer 136

Each one of the two pencils is missing.C'Each' is used when each one (of two or more) is taken separately one by one. 'Every' is always used for more than two things, in a group or set. But both 'each' and 'every' are invariably singular. e.g. 'Every (each) one of the nine apples was rotten.'

Question 137

3.✗He is suffering from a strong cold.

Answer 137

He is suffering from a bad cold.CAlso a 'bad headache', a 'bad stomach'.

Question 138

4.✗You must secure at least passable marks.

Answer 138

You must secure at least pass marks.CThe word 'passable' has different meaning altogether—it means 'tolerably good'. For marks sufficient to pass an examination, we must say 'pass marks', not 'passing marks', which is however, another common error.

Question 139

5.✗I am forty years.

Answer 139

I am forty years old.CEither drop the word 'years' and simply say 'I am forty', or use the complete expression, '1 am forty years old', or 'I am forty years of age'.

Question 140

6.✗He brought me milk, butter and honey, the latter being Indian.

Answer 140

He brought me milk, butter and honey, the last being Indian.C'Latter' is used only where two things are mentioned.

Question 141

7.✗This feat was marvellous well performed.

Answer 141

This feat was marvellously well performed.CDo not use an adjective to qualify an adverb.

Question 142

8.✗This car is superior than that.

Answer 142

This car is superior to that.CAlways use the preposition 'to' after 'superior' or 'inferior'. Similarly say 'preferable to', not 'preferable than'.

Question 143

✗I am living in Bangalore.

Answer 143

I live in Bangalore.CThis is a typical Indianism. Why unnecessarily use the present participle, when a simple present tense can be more direct?

Question 144

2.✗She sang very well, isn't it?

Answer 144

She sang very well, didn't she?CThe expression 'isn't it?' is often used indiscriminately. In all such sentences, the tense and person used in the main statement must be retained in the auxiliary as well. The auxiliary in this case 'didn't she' implies 'didn't she sing very well?'

Question 145

3.✗I have read an interesting book yesterday.

Answer 145

I read an interesting book yesterday.CIf the action was completed in the past at a particular time ('yesterday'), we should use the simple past tense, not the present perfect.

Question 146

4.✗He saw the Taj at Agra.

Answer 146

He has seen the Taj at Agra.CWhen the accent is more on the result of a past action than on the action itself, use the present perfect tense.

Question 147

5.✗Ansuya told me that she may proceed on leave.

Answer 147

Ansuya told me that she might proceed on leave. CA typical example of the wrong use of sequence of tenses. Verbs in the subordinate clauses must always agree with the verb in the principal clause. Similarly, say 'I thought I could help him', not 'I thought I can help him'.

Question 148

6.✗He walks as if the earth belongs to him.

Answer 148

He walks as if the earth belonged to him.CExpressions like 'as if', 'as though', are always followed by the past tense.

Question 149

7.✗Kindly see my testimonials.

Answer 149

Kindly look at (or examine) my testimonials.C'Seeing' merely implies a simple faculty of vision, devoid of any critical attention. Isn't it possible to 'see' a thing, without 'looking at' it? Similarly, it is wrong to say 'I am seeing this great painting' (Right: 'I am looking at this great painting').

Question 150

8.✗My sister always puts on a white saree.

Answer 150

My sister always wears a white saree.CWhereas 'to put on' implies a simple act, 'to wear' denotes 'putting on' something more habitually.

Question 151

9.✗He avenged himself for the injustice done to his father.

Answer 151

He revenged himself for the injustice done to his father.C The verbs 'avenged' and 'revenged' are often confused and misused. Whereas 'to revenge oneself' should be used for any wrong done to oneself, 'to avenge' means to inflict retribution (punishment) on behalf of somebody else.

Question 152

10.✗She revenged her father's murder.

Answer 152

She avenged her father's murder.CAs explained in 9 (C).

Question 153

11.✗I slept rather late last night.

Answer 153

I went to bed rather late last night.C'Going to bed' implies a simple act of getting into bed, for sleeping. But it is possible that one may go to bed at ten, and not go to sleep until twelve o'clock.

Question 154

12.✗He has left painting.

Answer 154

He has given up painting.CIt is wrong to use the verb 'to leave' in the sense of 'giving up' something. 'Leave off' may be used, however.

Question 155

13.✗Leave my arm, please.

Answer 155

Let go my arm, please.CThe verb 'leave' cannot be used in sense of 'giving up one's hold'.

Question 156

14.✗He asked me where was I going.

Answer 156

He asked me where I was going. COnce a statement is made in the reported speech ('he asked where..'), it is wrong to retain the question form ('where was I going?').

Question 157

15.✗I should feel happy if you will come to tea tomorrow.

Answer 157

I should feel happy if you would come to tea tomorrow.CVerbs in both these clauses should agree with each other, e.g., should, would, not should, will. Even if the first sentence is permissible, it is still a less polite form of saying the same thing.

Question 158

16.✗I should like to forward myself as a candidate for this post.

Answer 158

I should like to offer myself as a candidate for this post.CForward means to send on or 'to dispatch' an object. How can, therefore, one 'forward' oneself?

Question 159

17.✗Hundreds of people died by the earthquake.

Answer 159

Hundreds of people were killed by the earthquake.C We 'die' of natural causes ('illness', 'heart failure', etc.), but in the case of unexpected calamities ('fire', 'war', etc.) we must use the verb 'kill'.

Question 160

18.✗Will you kindly open this knot?

Answer 160

Will you kindly untie this knot?CA very common error. One 'opens' a door or a window, but not a 'knot'.

Question 161

19.✗I have to give another examination next year.

Answer 161

I have to take another examination next year.CAn examiner gives an examination or a test, a candidate takes an examination or a test.

Question 162

20.✗Where have you kept the pencil I gave you a few minutes ago?

Answer 162

Where have you put (placed) the pencil I gave you a few minutes ago?CThe verb 'to keep' implies a certain duration, e.g., 'He always keeps his diaries under lock and key'. But 'putting' something implies 'placing' it temporarily somewhere.

Question 163

21.✗Better revise this essay.

Answer 163

You had better revise this essay.C The correct structural pattern is 'You had better do this first', 'You had better sleep now', etc.

Question 164

22.✗Don't hold this dirty insect in your hand; throw it.

Answer 164

Don't hold this dirty insect in your hand; throw it away.C'To throw something away' is the correct (and complete) expression. 'To throw' means 'to throw a ball', etc. 'To throw something away' means 'to throw it aside'.

Question 165

23.✗It is better to keep one's head in the face of danger than losing one's courage and getting panicky.

Answer 165

It is better to keep one's head in the face of danger than to lose one's courage and get panicky. CA case of confusion of verbs; one form of verb should not be mixed with another form of verb in this way—if the first verb is in the infinitive mood, the second verb should also be in the infinitive mood.

Question 166

24.✗Are you a vegetarian? Yes, I am not.

Answer 166

Are you a vegetarian? No, I am not. (Or, Yes, I am.)C When the answer is in the affirmative, say 'Yes' and drop the negative form 'not'. If the answer is in the negative, say 'No', and you may also retain the negative 'not'.

Question 167

25.✗When he lost my book I became very angry.

Answer 167

When he lost my book I felt very angry.CIt is better to use 'feel' or 'get' with adjectives such as 'angry', 'hungry', 'thirsty', 'tired', etc.

Question 168

26.✗I went to London with a view to investigate the matter.

Answer 168

I went to London with a view to investigating the matter.C'With a view to' is always followed by a gerund and not an infinitive.

Question 169

27.✗I did nothing but cried.

Answer 169

I did nothing but cry.CUse the infinitive after 'but'.

Question 170

28.✗Will you kindly mend this pencil?

Answer 170

Will you kindly sharpen this pencil?COne 'sharpens' a pencil, but 'mends' a pen.

Question 171

29.✗I want you to fully realize the consequences of this.

Answer 171

I want you to realize fully the consequences of this.CAvoid the use of split infinitive. Don't insert anything between the words 'to feel', 'to remember', etc.

Question 172

30.✗The thief escaped before I opened the door.

Answer 172

The thief had escaped before I opened the door.CThe earlier action should always take the past perfect verb.

Question 173

31.✗Rita and I was walking in the garden.

Answer 173

Rita and I were walking in the garden.CThe verb has to be in plural when the subject of the sentence Rita and I is plural.

Question 174

32.✗The whole class were playing.

Answer 174

The whole class was playing.C'The whole class' indicates a single entity.

Question 175

33.✗Both of us was present at the bus stop.

Answer 175

Both of us were present at the bus stop.CThe verb has to be in plural because both of us is a plural expression.

Question 176

34.✗All my books is with her.

Answer 176

All my books are with her.C'All my books', the subject of the sentence, is plural.

Question 177

35.✗Each one of these apples are red.

Answer 177

Each one of these apples is red.CEach one suggests that the subject is singular; it does not refer to all members of the set.

Question 178

36.✗A grey and a white dog is barking.

Answer 178

A grey and a white dog are barking.CThere are two entities as the subject (i.e. a grey dog and a white dog), so the verb is plural.

Question 179

37.✗My brother and my sister is at the party.

Answer 179

My brother and my sister are at the party.CThe verb is plural because the subject (i.e. my brother and my sister) is plural.

Question 180

38.✗She and I was drinking milk.

Answer 180

She and I were drinking milk.CThe verb is plural because the subject (i.e. she and I) is plural.

Question 181

39.✗Slow and steady win the race.

Answer 181

Slow and steady wins the race.CThe understood subject (person) is singular, so the verb is singular.

Question 182

40.✗Tomorrow never come.

Answer 182

Tomorrow never comes.C'Tomorrow', the subject of the sentence, is singular.

Question 183

42.✗Either Rita or Natasha have eaten the ice cream.

Answer 183

Either Rita or Natasha has eaten the ice cream.CWhen an exclusive coordinator (e.g. either or) is used, the verb agrees with its nearest subject (i.e. Natasha).

Question 184

43.✗Neither my father nor my mother are going to the party.

Answer 184

Neither my father nor my mother is going to the party.CThe exclusive coordinator makes the verb agree with its nearest subject (i.e. my mother) which is singular.

Question 185

44.✗The president as well as the prime minister is in the plane.

Answer 185

The president as well as the prime minister are in the plane.C'As well as' is like 'and'; because of it, the subject of the sentence is plural and needs a plural verb.

Question 186

45.✗Either the whole class or I are in the wrong.

Answer 186

Either the whole class or I am in the wrong.CIn sentences with exclusive coordinators (i.e. either/or), the verb agrees with its nearest subject.

Question 187

46.✗The news, which you have given me, are excellent.

Answer 187

The news, which you have given me, is excellent.CNews is an uncountable noun and is singular.

Question 188

47.✗Alms were asked by the poor.

Answer 188

Alms was asked by the poor.CAlms, the subject of the sentence, is a singular noun and needs a singular verb.

Question 189

48.✗My friend and guide, my teacher were alive, when I decided to join the army.

Answer 189

My friend and guide, my teacher was alive, when I decided to join the army.CThe subject of this sentence (i.e. my teacher) is singular. My friend and guide are attributes of the subject.

Question 190

49.✗None of the boys were wearing a cap.

Answer 190

None of the boys was wearing a cap.CThe subject of the sentence (i.e. none of the boys) is singular. None means not any (one).

Question 191

50.✗Neither Mr Robin nor his colleagues is going for the vacation.

Answer 191

Neither Mr Robin nor his colleagues are going for the vacation.CBecause of the exclusive coordinator, neither/nor, the verb agrees with its nearest subject (i.e. his colleagues).

Question 192

51.✗My spectacles has been stolen.

Answer 192

My spectacles have been stolen.CSpectacles is a plural noun and needs a plural verb.

Question 193

52.✗My trousers was black in colour.

Answer 193

My trousers were black in colour.CTrousers is a plural subject and needs a plural verb.

Question 194

53.✗Was there many girls present for the meeting?

Answer 194

Were there many girls present for the meeting?C'Many girls', the plural subject, needs a plural verb.

Question 195

54.✗Each of these umbrellas are defective.

Answer 195

Each of these umbrellas is defective.CThe subject of the sentence 'each' needs a singular verb.

Question 196

55.✗The teachers as well as the students was surprised.

Answer 196

The teachers as well as the students were surprised.CAs well as is like and the verb agrees with the whole expression that is the subject of the sentence (i.e. the teacher as well as the students).

Question 197

56.✗'Isn't he the best player in the Hockey Eleven?'—'Of course, he is'.

Answer 197

Isn't he the best player in the Hockey Eleven?'— 'Certainly, he is'.C'Of course' should be used only in the context of an inevitable consequence.

Question 198

2.✗He bore cheerfully his miseries.

Answer 198

He bore his miseries cheerfully.CIn the case of a transitive verb, use the adverb after the object.

Question 199

3.✗He is too polite.

Answer 199

He is too polite to be unkind to anyone.C'He is too polite' is incomplete. 'Too polite' for what? Too means 'excessively', 'to a higher degree than is desirable'.

Question 200

4.✗The spectators left the theatre by and by.

Answer 200

The spectators left the theatre one by one.C'By and by' means 'eventually', and not 'one by one'.

Question 201

5.✗I shall be back just now.

Answer 201

I shall be back presently.CJust now means 'at the present time' whereas 'presently' means 'after a short time' or 'soon'.

Question 202

6.✗This morning I got up lately.

Answer 202

This morning I got up late.C'Lately' is not the opposite of 'early' ('early' has the opposite 'late'). 'Lately' means 'not long ago', 'recently'.

Question 203

7.✗I never met him today.

Answer 203

I did not meet him today.C'Never' means 'not ever', except when used for very strong emphasis.

Question 204

8.✗Please write your names with ink.

Answer 204

Please write your names in ink.CAlways say 'write in chalk', 'write in pencil', etc., but 'write with a pen'.

Question 205

2.✗He caught the thief from the hand.

Answer 205

He caught the thief by the hand.CSimilarly, say 'seize, hold, or take by the hand'.

Question 206

3.✗He is sitting on his table.

Answer 206

He is sitting at his table.CAlso, 'sit at a piano', 'sit at one's desk', but 'sit on a bench', 'sit on a sofa'.

Question 207

4.✗Why do you now repent from your misdeeds?

Answer 207

Why do you now repent of your misdeeds?CRepent of (something) is an idiomatic expression; i.e. only 'of' is used in this context.

Question 208

5.✗The principal disposed the application in no time.

Answer 208

The principal disposed of the application in no time.CDon't forget to say 'dispose of', 'accuse of', 'distrust of', 'dislike of', 'repent of' etc.

Question 209

6.✗You are preventing me to leave the room.

Answer 209

You are preventing me from leaving the room.COther words followed by 'from' are 'release', 'prohibit', 'exempt.'

Question 210

7.✗I live at Delhi.

Answer 210

I live in Delhi.CUse 'at' for small places and 'in' for large cities.

Question 211

8.✗I went to Madras for attending a meeting.

Answer 211

I went to Madras to attend a meeting. Or, I went to Madras for a meeting.CAfter verbs of motion, purpose can be shown by •'to' and an infinitive, or •'for' and a noun or pronoun.

Question 212

9.✗He was debarred to sit for the I.A.S. examination.

Answer 212

He was debarred from sitting for the I.A.S. examination.COne is always debarred from doing something.

Question 213

10.✗He went with the bus.

Answer 213

He went by bus.CAlways say 'by taxi', 'by air', 'by land', 'by train',' by boat', 'by tonga', but 'on foot', 'on horseback'.

Question 214

11.✗This book comprises of five sections.

Answer 214

This book comprises five sections.CA very common mistake. Don't use any preposition after 'comprise'. You may say 'This book consists of five sections'.

Question 215

12.✗Let me congratulate you for your son's marriage.

Answer 215

Let me congratulate you on your son's marriage. CWe always congratulate someone on something—it is a fixed collocation.

Question 216

13.✗He died from cholera.

Answer 216

He died of cholera.CA person, animal or plant always dies of something—it is a fixed collocation.

Question 217

14.✗Ram's pen is different than his brother's.

Answer 217

Ram's pen is different from his brother's.CWith different we always use the preposition from.

Question 218

15.✗He is good in English.

Answer 218

He is good at English.CSimilarly, 'clever at', 'poor at', 'quick at', 'slow at' etc.

Question 219

16.✗Natasha is married with a rich banker.

Answer 219

Natasha is married to a rich banker.CA person is married to another person; it is a fixed collocation.

Question 220

17.✗I have been searching my pen since morning.

Answer 220

I have been searching for my pen since morning.CWithout the preposition 'for', 'to search' will mean 'to look into', 'to examine'. For instance, 'The customs officer searched his suitcases', 'The police inspector searched his house'.

Question 221

18.✗I don't wish any compensation.

Answer 221

I don't wish for any compensation.COne always wishes for something.

Question 222

19.✗Who will buy this car for such a price?

Answer 222

Who will buy this car at such a price?CUse 'for' only where a specific amount is mentioned. e.g., 'He sold his horse for ₹500'.

Question 223

20.✗I shall return this book after a week.

Answer 223

I shall return this book in a week (Or, in a week's time).CIn this sense 'in' means 'at the end of'.

Question 224

21.✗He took out his shoes before entering the mosque.

Answer 224

He took off his shoes before entering the mosque.C To take something out means 'to destroy, or disable something', whereas to take something off means 'to remove from one's body'. These plural verbs have other meanings as well.

Question 225

22.✗The train is running in time.

Answer 225

The train is running on time.C'On time' means 'punctual' whereas in time means 'eventually' or 'not late'.

Question 226

23.✗He has lost the match from his rival.

Answer 226

He has lost the match to his rival.COne always loses something to someone.

Question 227

24.✗Where have you been to?

Answer 227

Where have you been?CThe question is about one's location and not movement which 'to' suggests.

Question 228

25.✗Open the seventh page of this book.

Answer 228

Open this book at page seven.C'At' suggests the exact location rather than space which 'open' suggests.

Question 229

✗Kiran, as well as Kamal, are leaving for England.

Answer 229

Kiran, as well as Kamal, is leaving for England.CWhen two singular nouns are linked by 'as well as', they take a singular verb.

Question 230

2.✗Unless you do not work hard, you will not succeed.

Answer 230

Unless you work hard, you will not succeed.CNote that 'unless' means 'if not', therefore you cannot use a double negative.

Question 231

3.✗Until you remain restless you cannot concentrate.

Answer 231

So long as you remain restless you cannot concentrate.CYou cannot use a double negative.

Question 232

4.✗The book contains five hundred fifty pages.

Answer 232

The book contains five hundred and fifty pages.CIt is a convention in English to add and between hundred and the last digit(s).

Question 233

5.✗An old teacher is as if the father of his pupils.

Answer 233

An old teacher is, as it were, the father of his pupils.CAs if means 'as would be the case if' whereas as it were means 'in a way'.

Question 234

6.✗I am going to Delhi because I may see my aunt.

Answer 234

I am going to Delhi in order that I may see my aunt. Or, I am going to Delhi to see my aunt.C'Because' implies some reason or cause; it should not, therefore, be used to express purpose.

Question 235

7.✗He asked that where I lived.

Answer 235

He asked where I lived.C'That' is not needed if a clause that begins with a wh-word is added to the main clause as its complement.

Question 236

8.✗We shall see him after the dinner.

Answer 236

We shall see him after dinner.CThere is often a tendency to use the definite article 'the' where it is not required. Remember that the definite article is not used before the names of the meals 'supper', 'dinner', 'lunch', 'breakfast'.

Question 237

2.✗Does your sister go to the school?

Answer 237

Does your sister go to school?C'Goes to the school' means to visit a particular school, whereas 'to go to school' means to go to school customarily as a teacher or a pupil. Similarly, it would be wrong to say 'I go to the church every Friday', when the correct expression is 'I go to church every Friday'. The latter sentence means 'to go and pray', while the former sentence means 'to go and visit the church'.

Question 238

3.✗What kind of a friend are you?

Answer 238

What kind of friend are you?CDon't use 'a' or 'an' (the indefinite article) after the phrase 'sort of' or 'kind of'.

Question 239

4.✗Cholera has broken out in the whole Nagpur.

Answer 239

Cholera has broken out in the whole of Nagpur.CDon't use 'the whole' with proper nouns; say 'the whole of India', not 'the whole India'.

Question 240

5.✗I have headache.

Answer 240

I have a headache.CNote the following phrases which involve the use of the indefinite article, 'a sore throat', 'a bad cold', 'a severe pain', 'on a large scale', 'on an average', 'at a loss', 'as a rule', etc.

Question 241

6.✗There are many a books you can choose from.

Answer 241

There is many a book you can choose from.C'Many a book' takes a singular verb, although it is equivalent in sense to 'many books'. This phrase is now rather old- fashioned.

Question 242

7.✗Every Sunday evening we go to theatre.

Answer 242

Every Sunday evening we go to the theatre.COne must use the definite article before 'concert', 'cinema', circus', 'show' etc.

Question 243

8.✗Aeroplane has conquered time and space.

Answer 243

The aeroplane has conquered time and space.CHere 'the aeroplane' stands for the aeroplane as a category; it is a generic use. Similarly, the owl, the dog, the radio, the tape recorder, etc. stand for different groups of entities.

Question 244

9.✗One must learn to distinguish good from bad.

Answer 244

One must learn to distinguish the good from the bad.CWhen adjectives are used as nouns to mean a whole class of things or persons, we must use the definite article.

Question 245

10.✗Don't make noise.

Answer 245

Don't make a noise.CSimilarly, say 'make an effort', 'make a mistake.

Question 246

11.✗I am certain that he is in right.

Answer 246

I am certain that he is in the right.CThe correct phrases are 'in the wrong', 'in the right', 'in the negative', 'in the positive'.

Question 247

12.✗Is this an Oxford or Cambridge publication?

Answer 247

Is this an Oxford or a Cambridge publication? This refers to two entities, one of them (Oxford) begins with a vowel and the other a consonant sound.

Question 248

13.✗What to speak of English, he cannot even talk in Hindustani.

Answer 248

He cannot even talk in Hindustani, not to speak of English.

Question 249

2.✗What to do?

Answer 249

What can be done? Or, What's to be done? Or, What shall we do? What are we to do?CBetween what and the infinite to do we need a finite verb (e.g. is).

Question 250

3.✗The old widower could not make his both ends meet.

Answer 250

The old widower could not make both ends meet.CNo insertion is permitted in a frozen idiom.

Question 251

4.✗I enquired of his health.

Answer 251

I enquired about (or after) his health.CWe enquire about something or of someone. To enquire after means to ask about someone's health or wellbeing.

Question 252

5.✗I spoke to him with a lower tone.

Answer 252

I spoke to him in a lower tone.CIn a lower tone means in a tone containing a lower pitch.

Question 253

6.✗This custom has come down since times immemorial.

Answer 253

This custom has come down since time immemorial.CWe use since when we have one stretch of time.

Question 254

7.✗To laugh or weep is entirely our own choice.

Answer 254

To laugh or to weep is entirely our own choice. CWhen 'and' or 'or' link two dissimilar notions, 'to' must be inserted.

Question 255

8.✗I don't remember him ever helping me.

Answer 255

I don't remember his ever helping me.CWhen the verb is the participate form, the subject assumes a possessive form.

Question 256

9.✗I can't allow you to cut jokes in the class.

Answer 256

I can't allow you to make jokes in the class.CWe 'make' jokes, not 'cut' them. 'To make means to cause something to come about' the idiom crack a joke refers to a critical joke.

Question 257

10.✗He never has, and never will permit such practices in his office.

Answer 257

He never has permitted nor ever will permit such practices in his office.CBoth verbs 'has permitted' and 'will permit' must be used in their complete forms.

Question 258

11.✗He has no issues.

Answer 258

He has no issue.CIn the sense of 'offspring' the word 'issue' should not be used in the plural form.

Question 259

12.✗His both hands have been injured.

Answer 259

Both of his hands have been injured.CIn both of his hands both is like a pronoun. In both his parents both is a predetermined which precedes that determines his.

Question 260

13.✗Why not we send words to him immediately?

Answer 260

Why don't we send word to him immediately?CWe cannot use not without its being preceded by an auxiliary verb. If no such verb exists, an appropriate form of do is used.

Question 261

14.✗There are many worth seeing places in Agra.

Answer 261

There are many places worth seeing in Agra.CIn English the relative clause e.g. which is worth-seeing or its reduced form is put after that noun to which it is attached.

Question 262

15.✗He said to me if you like you may go.

Answer 262

He told me that if I liked I might go.CIn a hypothetical situation in the past, both the conditional clause and the consequent clause will have the past tense form.

Question 263

16.✗I don't know who I can trust.

Answer 263

I don't know whom I can trust.CAs who is the object to the verb trust, its usual form is whom. However, in modern English, who is also used.

Question 264

17.✗We have received no informations.

Answer 264

We have received no information.CInformation is never used in plural.

Question 265

2.✗He told these news to his mother.

Answer 265

He told his mother this news, or He told this news to his mother.CSince news is singular, it cannot have a plural determines (i.e. these).

Question 266

3.✗I packed my luggages.

Answer 266

I packed my luggage.CThe noun luggage does not have a plural form.

Question 267

4.✗The sceneries here are not good.

Answer 267

The scenery here is not good.CThe word scenery is an uncountable noun and has no plural.

Question 268

5.✗I have lost my furniture's.

Answer 268

I have lost my furniture.CFurniture is a uncountable (mass) noun and has no plural.

Question 269

6.✗There are no breads in this shop.

Answer 269

There is no bread in this shop. There are no loaves in this shop.CBread is an uncountable noun and has no plural form.

Question 270

7.✗Please excuse the troubles.

Answer 270

Please excuse me for the trouble (I have caused).CTrouble is an uncountable (mass) noun and has no plural.

Question 271

8.✗He took troubles to do his work.

Answer 271

He took pains over his work. He took trouble over his work.CTrouble is a mass noun.

Question 272

9.✗In some parts of the world many poors.

Answer 272

In some parts of the world many poor people.CPoor as a noun is a collective noun and means the poor people.

Question 273

10.✗Scouts wear half pants.✗Students should wear white pants.

Answer 273

Scouts wear shorts. Students should wear white trousers.CIn British English, pants means 'underpants' or 'knickers' in American English. They mean trouser. Half pants is an Indian English expression for shorts in British English. In American English, shorts are 'underpants'.

Question 274

11.✗I spent the holidays with my family members.

Answer 274

I spent the holidays with the members of my family. I spent the holidays with my family.CSince family means 'a group of people related by blood or marriage' family member is a redundant expression.

Question 275

12.✗There is no place in this compartment.

Answer 275

There is no room in this compartment.CPlace refers to a location whereas room refers to a space that can be occupied.

Question 276

13.✗Write this in your copy.

Answer 276

Write this in your notebook.CAs a noun, copy means a single specimen of a particular book or document whereas a copybook means a book containing models of handwriting to be learnt.

Question 277

14.✗I am learning a new poetry.

Answer 277

I am learning a new poem.CWhen we refer to poetry, we refer to the entire genre and not to a particular work of a poet.

Question 278

15.✗We saw a joker at the circus.

Answer 278

We saw a clown at the circus.CClown is a comic entertain, especially one in a circus, whereas a 'joker' is a person who is foolish or inept. Therefore, it is appropriate to use clown in this context.

Question 279

16.✗We had a good play of football.

Answer 279

We had a good game of football.C'Play' is generally used as a verb and game is used as a noun. It means 'sport played' according to rules.

Question 280

17.✗We saw a theatre.

Answer 280

We saw a play.CA theatre is a building in which plays are enacted, not the play itself.

Question 281

18.✗The boy was wearing a new dress.

Answer 281

The boy was wearing a new suit (some new clothes).CDress is generally used with reference to a woman's attire, but we do say 'a man in full dress' or 'evening dress'.

Question 282

19.✗Please put your sign here.

Answer 282

Please put your signature here.CIn a sentence where the term 'sign' means 'to write one's name', it is a verb. 'Signature' on the other hand is a noun, which means 'the act of writing'. 'Sign', when used as a noun, means 'a symbol'.

Question 283

20.✗He is my cousin brother.

Answer 283

He is my cousin. CThe English language uses much more loosely terms expressing relationship than the Indian languages. 'Aunt' means the sister of either father or mother. 'Uncle' means the brother of either father or mother. 'Cousin' means any child of any aunt or uncle.

Question 284

21.✗He had a large number of money.

Answer 284

He had a large amount of money.CMoney is an uncountable (mass) noun.

Question 285

22.✗Some of my servant tells me.

Answer 285

Some of my servants tell me.CSome means at least more than one and needs a plural verb.

Question 286

23.✗The front/back side of the house.

Answer 286

The front/back of the house.CThe terms 'front' and 'back' refer to different sides; noun, the word side is redundant here.

Question 287

24.✗I have hurt a foot-finger.

Answer 287

I have hurt a toe.CThe five digits at the end of the human foot are called toes, and not foot fingers.

Question 288

25.✗He is a tall gentleman.

Answer 288

He is a tall man.C'Gentleman' is a difficult word to use correctly in colloquial English. It seems to me best to teach students to use 'gentleman' when they are referring to a man's character (e.g. he is a real gentleman, while praising him; he is not a gentleman, while criticizing him), and to use 'man' to denote an adult of the male sex.

Question 289

26.✗I saw two females.

Answer 289

I saw two women.CSimilarly, don't be self-conscious over the use of 'lady' and 'woman'. The latter is the usual word and is quite polite. 'She is a lady' means that she is a woman of particularly good birth, breeding and taste.

Question 290

27.✗He took insult at this.

Answer 290

He took offence at this.COffence means 'annoyance' or resentment brought about by a perceived insult. Hence is the expression 'take offence.'

Question 291

28.✗The box contains pens, papers and others.

Answer 291

The box contains pens, papers and such things.C Other as a pronoun is used to refer to things different from which is already mentioned. Such things refer to similar things.

Question 292

29.✗In India there are many poors.

Answer 292

In India there are many poor (people). CWhen the adjective poor is used in place of a noun, it has no plural form.

Question 293

30.✗He provided the blinds with food.

Answer 293

He provided the blind with food.CWhe the adjective blind is used as a noun, it does not have a plural form.

Question 294

31.✗He bought a pair of half hose.

Answer 294

He bought a pair of socks.CThe term 'half hose' is not used in modern English.

Question 295

32.✗Give him some blotting.

Answer 295

Give him some blotting paper.CBlotting is the present participle of the verb blot which means to dry (a wet surface) using an absorbent material, e.g., a blotting paper.

Question 296

33.✗Our boarding is full.

Answer 296

Our boarding-house is full. Our hostel is full.CBoarding refers to an arrangement according to which pupils live in school during the term whereas a boarding house refers to a private house providing food and lodging to its paying guests.

Question 297

34.✗Give my B.C.s to all.

Answer 297

Give my kind(est) regards to all.CAvoid using short terms not in use.

Question 298

35.✗He hit an over boundary.

Answer 298

He hit a six (Or, a sixer).CIf a batsman hits for six runs, it is called a sixer, and not over boundary.

Question 299

36.✗There are two waiting members in our party.

Answer 299

There are two reserves on our side. There are two reserves in our team.CSince we have a specific term 'reserve' to refer to the waiting members of a team we call them by it.

Question 300

37.✗We like taking part in drama.

Answer 300

We like acting (plays).C 'Drama' is rarely used nowadays in the sense in which an Indian schoolboy is likely to use it, that is to say to mean a play, whether acted by professionals or amateurs.

Question 301

38.✗We are all fellow brothers.

Answer 301

We are all brothers.CAs an adject, the term fellow is redundant here because it refers to the sharing of a quality or relationship, which brothers indicates.

Question 302

39.✗I passed the noon in study.

Answer 302

I spent the middle of the day working.C'Noon' means exactly twelve o'clock in the middle of the day and not a period of time round about that hour.

Question 303

40.✗He got a bad companionship.

Answer 303

He got into bad company.CNote the difference between companionship and company.

Question 304

41.✗One of my servant tells me.

Answer 304

One of my servants tells me.CThe noun following 'one of', 'none of', 'some of' and similar expressions must be plural in number, but the verb should agree in number with the subject of the sentence, which is singular.

Question 305

42.✗I took a bath in the sea.

Answer 305

I had a bathe in the sea.CUse 'bath' when the object of entering the water is to clean yourself; use 'bathe' when the object is to swim or to enjoy yourself.

Question 306

43.✗Both did not go.

Answer 306

Neither went.CIf both are excluded from an action, we use neither.

Question 307

2.✗Each of these boys play games.

Answer 307

Each of these boys plays games.CThe subject of the sentence 'each' is singular.

Question 308

3.✗We all did not go.

Answer 308

None of us went.CIf all are excluded from art action, we use none.

Question 309

4.✗One should not waste his time.

Answer 309

A man/boy should not waste his time. One should not waste one's time.CIf one is the subject of the sentence the genitive for it is one's.

Question 310

5.✗'Have you a pen?'—'I have not got.'

Answer 310

Have you a pen?'—'I have not got one' Or, 'I don't have one'.C'Have' is a transitive verb and needs an object to complete this sentence. The referential expression for an object is it or one.

Question 311

6.✗'Is he coming?'—'Yes, I think.'

Answer 311

Is he coming?'—'Yes, I think so.'CThe pronominal expression for a statement is so; and not it. Think needs a sentence as its complement; so does the job.

Question 312

7.✗He enjoyed during the holidays.

Answer 312

He enjoyed himself during the holidays.CEnjoy means 'to take pleasure in an activity' whereas enjoy oneself means 'to have a pleasant time.'

Question 313

8.✗The boy who does best he will get a prize.✗Whoever does best he will get a prize.

Answer 313

The boy who does best will get a prize. Whoever does best will get a prize.CAs the verb-phrase 'will get a prize' has already got a subject, e.g. the boy who does best or whoever does best, it does not need another subject.

Question 314

9.✗'Who did this?'—'Myself.'

Answer 314

Who did this?'—'I (myself).'CIn response to the question, we have to use the subject of the sentence, i.e., I, in this context. 'Myself' can follow it for emphasis.

Question 315

10.✗I and he are brothers.

Answer 315

He and I are brothers.CIt is considered conceited to put 'I' first when there are two subjects.

Question 316

11.✗Jack with some friends went for a walk.

Answer 316

Jack went for a walk with some friends. Jack, along with his friends, went for a walk.CThe subject of the sentence is Jack. The companions can be mentioned at the end of the sentence by using with, or with the subject by using along with, separating it from the subject by commas.

Question 317

12.✗She is wiser than me.

Answer 317

She is wiser than I.CIn traditional grammar 'I' is preferred because the comparison is with 'than I am'. However, in spoken English, 'I' is rarely used in British or American English.

Question 318

13.✗Everyone is frightened when they see a tiger.

Answer 318

Everyone is frightened when he sees a tiger.C'Every' is a singular word, which when attached to a singular man like 'one' refers to all individual members of a group. So, it will take a singular pronoun.

Question 319

14.✗None of us have seen him.

Answer 319

None of us has seen him.C'None' is a singular word, therefore it will take a singular verb.

Question 320

15.✗My books are better than my friend.

Answer 320

My books are better than those of my friend. CWhen comparing two things in a sentence, use 'that of', 'these of', 'those of'.

Question 321

16.✗One should work hard.

Answer 321

A man/boy should work hard.C One is used to refer to the speaker or any person in general and should be avoided in specific contexts.

Question 322

17.✗Here is my cup; please fill.

Answer 322

Here is my cup; please fill it.CAll transitive verbs, including 'fill', must have an object.

Question 323

18.✗I asked for my pencil, but he did not give me.

Answer 323

I asked for my pencil, but he did not give it to me.CSome transitive verbs, e.g., 'give' and 'lend', must have two objects to have a complete sentence.

Question 324

19.✗The master tested the boy if he could read English.

Answer 324

The master tested whether the boy could read English.CThe object of 'tested' is not 'boy' but the whole beginning with whether clause.

Question 325

20.✗I shall see the brakes whether they work well.

Answer 325

I shall see whether the brakes work well.CThe object of 'see' is not 'brakes' but the whole clause.

Question 326

21.✗People starves when he has no money.

Answer 326

People starve when they have no money.CNote that 'every', 'none', 'much', 'person' are singular words; 'all', 'some', 'most', 'many' and 'people' are plural. It is a very common mistake to use pronouns and possessive adjectives in the wrong number referring to any of the above-mentioned words.

Question 327

22.✗The size of the shoe should be the same as this shoe.

Answer 327

The size of the shoe should be the same as that of this shoe.CIn such comparative sentences we must be careful to compare the same part of two things. 'That of', 'these of 'and' those of' are necessary words often omitted. 'His teaching was like Buddha' is a very common mistake; 'that of Buddha' must be written.

Question 328

23.✗These all mangoes are ripe.

Answer 328

All these mangoes are ripe.CA predetermines, e.g. all, precedes a determines, e.g. these, in English.

Question 329

2.✗I have no any friends.

Answer 329

I have no friends.CAs 'no' means 'not any', we cannot use 'no any'.

Question 330

3.✗Both men have not come.

Answer 330

Neither man has come.CWhen both is negated, it becomes neither.

Question 331

4.✗Open your book at six page.

Answer 331

Open your book at page six.CA cardinal number (e.g. six) will always follow the noun (e.g. page) whereas an ordinal number (e.g. sixth) will always precede it (e.g. sixth page).

Question 332

5.✗He is elder than I.

Answer 332

He is older than I.CThough elder means older, it is used only when comparing two related people.

Question 333

6.✗He is more better than I.

Answer 333

He is better than I.CBetter itself in the comparative form for good.

Question 334

7.✗He is worst than I.

Answer 334

He is worse than I.C'Worst' is a superlative adjective for 'bad'. It cannot be used in a sentence where comparison is made between two people.

Question 335

8.✗He gets a less salary.

Answer 335

He gets a small salary.CLess is a comparative form of little; it cannot be used when no comparison is made.

Question 336

9.✗In our library the number of books is less.

Answer 336

In our library the number of books is small.CNo comparison is involved here.

Question 337

10.✗Of the two plans this is the best.

Answer 337

Of the two plans this is the better.CBest is the superlative form of good. While comparing two entities, we use better.

Question 338

11.✗He is becoming strong.

Answer 338

He is becoming stronger.C'He is becoming strong' is correct English. However the comparative form can be used, when growth or change is implied in a sentence, or when the words 'than before' can be understood, e.g., talking of a boy's progress in class you can say, 'he is working well now', but in English we often say, 'he is working better now', thinking of a time past when he worked less well. It is for this reason that the sentence, 'He is becoming strong every day', is clearly wrong, when 'every day' is added, 'stronger' must be used.

Question 339

12.✗There is a best teacher in that class.

Answer 339

There is a very good teacher in that class.CBest is used when we compare one with many; not in a non-comparative statement.

Question 340

13.✗He will spend his future life here.

Answer 340

He will spend his remaining life here. He will spend the rest of his life here.CFor the rest of his life we may use his remaining life. As an adjective future means 'at a later time.'

Question 341

14.✗This is a worth seeing sight.

Answer 341

This is a sight worth seeing.CWhen we use worth to suggest that a specified course of action is advisable, we use it after worth, and not before it.

Question 342

15.✗We have never seen a so good boy.

Answer 342

We have never seen so good a boy.CWhen so is used in the sense of 'to such a great extent', it modifies the whole noun phrase and comes before it.

Question 343

16.✗He got nearly cent per cent marks.

Answer 343

He got nearly full marks.C'Cent per cent' is non-gradable and cannot be modified by nearly or almost. 'Full' means containing as much or as many as possible.

Question 344

17.✗He is best player.

Answer 344

He is the best player.CA superlative adjective, e.g. best, is always preceded by the.

Question 345

18.✗The New York is big city.

Answer 345

New York is a big city.CNames of most cities are not preceded by a definite article in English. I live in the Delhi. We do not use definite article 'the' with proper nouns. Delhi is the name of a place, therefore it is a proper noun.

Question 346

19.✗The man is a member of the society.

Answer 346

Man is a member of society.C Man and society are used in a generic sense and do not need an article.

Question 347

20.✗We should love the god.

Answer 347

We should love God.CWhen the term 'God' refers to the supreme being who is believed to have created this universe, we do not use 'the' before it.

Question 348

21.✗She got an employment there.

Answer 348

She got employment there.CAs an abstract noun, employment does not need an indefinite article.

Question 349

22.✗We should not make noise.

Answer 349

We should not make a noise.CNoise can be used as a mass noun as well as a countable noun. As a countable noun it means 'a loud or unpleasant sound' and is preceded by a.

Question 350

23.✗I have an urgent business.

Answer 350

I have urgent business or some urgent business.CBusiness is not a countable noun and cannot be preceded by an indefinite article.

Question 351

24.✗What a fun!

Answer 351

What fun!CAs a mass noun, fun does need an indefinite article.

Question 352

25.✗We had picnic.

Answer 352

We had a picnic.CAs a countable noun, picnic needs an article before it.

Question 353

26.✗Every people know this.

Answer 353

Every man or person knows this. Everyone knows this.CPeople is a collective noun and refers to human beings in general. It cannot be quantified by every.

Question 354

27.✗He held the book in the both hands.

Answer 354

He held the book in both hands/both his hands.CBoth is all inclusive and therefore definite. It does not need a definite article.

Question 355

28.✗An idle man should do some or other work.

Answer 355

An idle man should do some work or another.C Some work or another is a fixed expression and can not be changed.

Question 356

29.✗Shakespeare is greater than any other poets.

Answer 356

Shakespeare is greater than any other poet.CAny, when used with a countable noun, means 'a single' and cannot co-occur with a plural noun in a noun phrase.

Question 357

30.✗He is in class ninth.

Answer 357

He is in class nine/the ninth class.CWhen used to qualify a noun, an ordinal number (e.g. ninth) precedes it and a cardinal number (e.g. nine) follows it.

Question 358

31.✗This article costs rupees ten.

Answer 358

This article costs ten rupees.CThough a cardinal number, ten cannot follow rupee because we are talking about the whole amount, and not the last rupee (i.e. the tenth rupee).

Question 359

32.✗He came a 2nd time.

Answer 359

He came a second time.CThe rules given below will help in understanding when to write numbers in words and when in figures:(a)Write the numbers of kings and queens in roman characters thus—Elizabeth II.(b)Write ordinal numbers to 'twelfth' in words, except in dates.(c)Write dates thus, July 7 or 7th July, and not the 7th of July or the seventh of July.(d)Write cardinal numbers up to ten in words, except when telling the time, e.g. 11 p.m.(e)Write cardinal and ordinal numbers above ten and ten in either words or figures as seems in each case the more convenient.

Question 360

33.✗King George the tenth.

Answer 360

King George X.CSee (a) in 32.

Question 361

34.✗Raipur is hot than Simla.

Answer 361

Raipur is hotter than Simla.CIn comparison, use the comparative degree of the adjective in use.

Question 362

35.✗Horse is use fuller than car.

Answer 362

A horse is more useful than a car.CWhen an adjective is a compound word (e.g. use full), we use more in the comparative and most in the superlative degree.

Question 363

36.✗From the two he is clever.✗He is the more clever of the two.

Answer 363

He is the cleverer of the two.CWhen we compare two persons, the adjective cannot be in the positive form, it must be comparative.

Question 364

37.✗From the three he is more clever.

Answer 364

He is the cleverest of the three.CWhen more than two persons are compared, the relevant adjective is in the superlative form.

Question 365

38.✗He had leave of four days.

Answer 365

He had four days' leave. He had leave for four days.CFour days' leave restricts the nature of leave, and must be either in the genitive form or a prepositional complement.

Question 366

39.✗I am hopeless to pass.

Answer 366

I have no hope of passing.CI am hopeless means I feel despair which is a complete sentence and does not need a complement.

Question 367

40.✗He was a so big man that he could not sit in this chair.

Answer 367

He was so big a man that he could not sit in this chair.CThe sentence requires the article.

Question 368

41.✗Yours affectionate friend.

Answer 368

Your affectionate friend. Yours affectionately.CIf affectionate qualifies friend, to form a noun phrase, we will use your (and not yours). If affectionately is used, yours (rather than your) is used. Yours affectionately is a formal ending of a letter.

Question 369

42.✗The country is plain.

Answer 369

The country is flat (or level).CPlain means 'simple' or 'base' where as flat means 'having a level surface'

Question 370

43.✗Your lovely friend.

Answer 370

Your loving friend.C'Lovely' means attractive and 'loving' means affectionate; in this context, lovely is absolutely inappropriate. However, if the reference is to a friend who is lovely one can say, 'I met your lovely friend'.

Question 371

44.✗We live in tribal area.

Answer 371

We live in a (or the) tribal area.CGiven below are examples of the innumerable mistakes made by misuse of 'the' and 'a'. Any good English grammar gives the rules for the use and omission of the articles.(a)Is the noun used a proper or a common noun?(b)Remember that a noun can be proper in one sentence and common in another; so it is useless to label a particular noun as proper or common.(c)If the noun used is proper, it will take no article.(d)If it is common, it must have an article, except in the use of (e) below.(e)If the common noun is not the name of one particular person or thing, it requires the indefinite article 'a' when the noun is singular; when plural, 'a' is never used and usually no article is required, though 'some' sometimes takes its place.(f)There are several phrases, most of them prepositional (e.g., 'in knew of', 'on condition that') or verbal (e.g., 'to put heart into', 'to keep house for'), in which nouns, usually common, must be used without articles. The reason is that these are frozen expressions which do not permit any internal change. For all practical purposes they may be treated as one word of special meaning.

Question 372

45.✗I mean London in USA.

Answer 372

I mean the London in the USA.CLondon, a proper name will not need an article. However, if we have to specify one place out of many bearing the same name, it is preceded by the.

Question 373

46.✗I live in the Bengal.

Answer 373

I live in Bengal.CBengal a proper name, needs no article.

Question 374

47.✗The gold is yellow.

Answer 374

Gold is yellow.CNames of metal do not need an article.

Question 375

48.✗Himalayas are mountains.

Answer 375

The Himalayas are mountains.CThe Himalayas represent a range of mountains, and not a single mountain.

Question 376

49.✗The mankind should love the nature.

Answer 376

Mankind should love nature.CGeneric expressions such as man or mankind don't need articles.

Question 377

50.✗Many are Gods of Hinduism.

Answer 377

Many are the gods of Hinduism.CGod (with a capital G) is a unique concept in Christianity and other monotheistic religions whereas god (with small g) is a deity.

Question 378

51.✗He found hundred rupees.

Answer 378

He found a hundred rupees.COne hundred is expressed as a hundred (and not just hundred).

Question 379

52.✗Ganges is a river.

Answer 379

The Ganges is a river.CSince Ganges is a river in the Himalayas out of several streams, in English it is called 'the Ganges', in Hindi it is called Ganga.

Question 380

53.✗We had a picnics nearly every day.

Answer 380

We had picnics nearly every day.CPicnics, a plural noun, cannot be preceded by a.

Question 381

54.✗He won a running cup.

Answer 381

He won a challenge cup.C This is a common misuse of the word 'running'. A running cup means a cup given for running. A cup held only until the date of the next tournament is a challenge cup.

Question 382

55.✗Each of us loves our or their home.

Answer 382

Each of us loves his home.C'Each' is singular in number. The phrase 'each of us' refers to every single member of a big group or section. Therefore, 'each of us' will have a singular verb and pronoun.

Question 383

56.✗None of the boys had learnt their lesson.

Answer 383

None of the boys had learnt his lesson.CSince, none means not any one, it refers to a single entity and needs a singular possession referring to it.

Question 384

57.✗People often spend his leisure in cinemas.

Answer 384

People often spend their leisure in cinemas.C'The word' people is collective noun and will always take plural pronouns such as, 'they', 'their', 'them', etc.

Question 385

58.✗Much efforts bring their reward.

Answer 385

Much effort brings its reward.CMuch indicates quantity and cannot be used with a plural noun. Efforts can be used as a countable as well as mass noun (e.g., many efforts were made.

Question 386

59.✗Many villagers cannot write his own name.

Answer 386

Many villagers cannot write their own name.C'Many' is a plural word and can occur with a countable noun (e.g villagers). The plural, noun phrase will take pronouns such as 'their', 'them', 'these' etc.

Question 387

60.✗Each and every person wore a hat.

Answer 387

Each person wore a hat. Everybody wore a hat.C'Each and every' can be used together correctly only to convey very strong emphasis. Indian students are too fond of using both together even when only one of the two adjectives is required.

Question 388

61.✗We want a sifting inquiry.

Answer 388

We want a thorough inquiry.CSift as a verb means 'to examine thoroughly.' Sifting is a noun, it is not used as an adjective. 'Exhaustive' is an alternative to 'thorough'.

Question 389

62.✗The horse is laming.

Answer 389

The horse is lame.C'Limping' is correct but 'laming' is not an English adjective.

Question 390

63.✗He asked that what are you doing.

Answer 390

He asked what we were doing.CIn the reported (or indirect) speech the verb changes to the past tense. If the verb of the main clause is in the past tense and if the embedded clause begins with a wh word, that is obligatorily deleted. The verb 'are' which is the present tense changes to 'were' denoting past tense.

Question 391

2.✗She asked had we taken our food.

Answer 391

She asked if we had taken our food. She asked whether we had taken our food.CIn the reported speech, the word order of an interrogative sentence is changed into that of an assertive sentence. If it was a yes or no question, the embedded clause would begin with if or whether.

Question 392

3.✗Rita said can she go home.

Answer 392

Rita asked if she could go home.CAs the main verb is in the past tense, the reported speech has to have the verb in the past tense. The word order is changed because it is a yes/no

Question 393

4.✗He does not care for my words.

Answer 393

He pays no attention to what I say.CTo care for means 'to look after' or 'to provide for the needs of someone' whereas to pay attention to means 'to notice someone or something.' In the given context, care for is inappropriate.

Question 394

5.✗Jack does not care for money.

Answer 394

Jack does not take care of his money.CThe word 'care' is different and general.

Question 395

6.✗He said that he saw him last year.

Answer 395

He said that he had seen him the previous year.CThese are examples of the common failure to use the past perfect tense form in the reported speech if the main verb of the main clause is in the past tense.

Question 396

7.✗He got angry before I said a word.

Answer 396

He got angry before I had said a word.C If an event occurred or was to occur before another event in the past and was mentioned earlier, the other event will be mentioned in the past perfect.

Question 397

8.✗This was going on since a long time.

Answer 397

This was going on for a long time.CIf a period of time is mentioned without a starting point, it is indicated by for (and not since).

Question 398

9.✗I had been for walking yesterday.

Answer 398

I went for a walk yesterday.CWe go for a walk rather than for walking. Secondly, the main verb should be in the past tense and not in past perfect.

Question 399

10.✗If I did this I shall be wrong.

Answer 399

If I shall do this I shall be wrong. If I do this I shall be wrong.CIn the conditional sentences, if the verb of the conditional clause is in the past, the verb of the consequent clause should have the past tense form. If the consequent clause is in the future tense, the conditional clause must be in the present tense.

Question 400

11.✗When I shall go to Baghdad, I shall see him.

Answer 400

When I go to Baghdad, I shall see him.CFor the reasons given above, the conditional clause must be in the present tense.

Question 401

12.✗I have left smoking.

Answer 401

I have given up smoking. CTo give up means to stop doing or consuming something whereas to leave means 'to go away from'.

Question 402

13.✗I left playing.

Answer 402

I stopped playing.CWe can stop (i.e. cause something to come to an end) playing but we cannot go away from it.

Question 403

14.✗I take my food.

Answer 403

I have my food.CWe can use have in the sense of to have but not take, which basically means to gain possession of.

Question 404

15.✗He went to school to know English.

Answer 404

He went to school to learn English.CTo learn means 'to gain knowledge of whereas to know means 'to have knowledge of'.

Question 405

16.✗She knows to swim.

Answer 405

She knows how to swim.CShe has the knowledge of how to swim rather than of the concept of swimming.

Question 406

17.✗We should not cut jokes in class.

Answer 406

We should not make jokes in class.C'To make jokes' is an idiomatic expression; 'to cut jokes' is not.

Question 407

18.✗I said to him to go.

Answer 407

I told him to go.CTo say is 'to utter something' whereas to tell is to communicate something to someone'.

Question 408

19.✗He said to go.

Answer 408

He told me to go.CIf he uttered 'to go', he spoke that to someone. Hence, tell is the correct word.

Question 409

20.✗I told the teacher to excuse me.

Answer 409

I asked the teacher to excuse me.CWe ask a question and not a request.

Question 410

21.✗I wanted that he should get leave.✗I want that I should get leave.

Answer 410

I wanted him to get leave. I want to get leave.CThe correct form depends on who is to get leave. If it is him, I wanted him to get leave. If it is me, I wanted to get leave.

Question 411

22.✗I like to play cricket.

Answer 411

I want to play cricket.C'Like' in this sentence should be used only to mean 'am fond of' and not to mean 'wish'.

Question 412

23.✗My tooth is paining.

Answer 412

My tooth is aching.CPain is a general form for disturbing sensation, physical or mental, whereas ache is a severe, lingering pain.

Question 413

24.✗I have got a hurt on my leg.

Answer 413

I have hurt my leg.CHave can be used as a noun for mental pain. It is a mass noun. However, to get hurt is permissible.

Question 414

25.✗Rita gave a speech.

Answer 414

Rita made a speech.COne makes a speech but gives a verdict.

Question 415

26.✗John has given his examination.

Answer 415

John has taken his examination.CThe teacher or the examiner 'gives' the test and the student 'takes' the test.

Question 416

27.✗The teacher made a lecture.

Answer 416

The teacher gave a lecture.CTo give a lecture means to put forward information, or argument, in a lecture. We can make mistakes but not lectures.

Question 417

28.✗Rita can now sit on a bicycle.

Answer 417

Rita can now ride a bicycle.CRide means to sit on and contract the movement of something, e.g. a horse, a bike.

Question 418

29.✗He got down from his bicycle.

Answer 418

He got off his bicycle.CTo get down means 'to descent'. We can say 'he got down the ladder.' 'To get off' is 'to dismount' which is the more appropriate expression here.

Question 419

30.✗He took out his shoes.

Answer 419

He took off his shoes.C'To take off' means 'to remove from one's body' whereas 'to take out' means 'to take something away.'

Question 420

31.✗Please see my book.

Answer 420

Please look at my book.C'To look at means to direct one's gaze in a specific direction' whereas to see means 'to perceive with the eyes'. The former is a conscious effort.

Question 421

32.✗Keep this on the table.

Answer 421

Put this on the table.CTo put means to place something in a position whereas to keep means to cause to continue in a particular position.

Question 422

33.✗My mother always put my money in this box.

Answer 422

My mother always keeps my money in this box.CAs mentioned in (32).

Question 423

34.✗He struck a blow on his face.

Answer 423

He struck him in the face. He hit him in the face.C'To strike' means to inflict a blow with one's hand or weapon and so does hit. Hence 'a blow' is redundant. The use of preposition is rather fixed; one hits in the face but on the leg.

Question 424

35.✗I went for swimming and enjoyed.

Answer 424

I went out swimming and enjoyed myself.CTo go out means to leave a building and go into the open air (for a ride, swimming, etc.).

Question 425

36.✗She lived there for a day.

Answer 425

She stayed there for a day.CTo stay means 'to remain in a place' whereas to live means 'to make one's home in a particular place'.

Question 426

37.✗He made a goal.

Answer 426

He scored a goal.CTo score means 'to gain a point' (e.g. a goal) in a competition. To make is inappropriate in such a context.

Question 427

38.✗We ought to make exercise.

Answer 427

We ought to take exercise.CAn exercise is an activity carried out (i.e. taken) for a specific purpose; it cannot be made.

Question 428

39.✗I hope he must come.

Answer 428

I hope he will come. I am sure he will come.CMust is used to show mistake and cannot occur with hope. This error is caused by two alternative idioms being combined.

Question 429

40.✗Iron finds in many countries.

Answer 429

Iron is found in many countries.CIron is the object to the verb find and the verb must be in passive voice if it is used as a subject.

Question 430

41.✗Always fair out a written exercise.

Answer 430

Always make a fair copy of a written exercise.CFair out is not a verb. We make or prepare a rough or fair copy of something written.

Question 431

42.✗I filled water in the bucket.

Answer 431

I filled the bucket with water.CFill is used to cause a container to become full (with water or something else).

Question 432

43.✗He thought how is it made.

Answer 432

He wondered how it was made.CIf one desires to know something, the appropriate verb is wonder, and not think. If the reporting is in the past tense, the verb of the reported speech will also be in the past tense.

Question 433

44.✗I must revenge my enemy.

Answer 433

I must take revenge on my enemy.CRevenge is rarely used as a verb, the proper expression is to take (or inflict) revenge on.

Question 434

45.✗Harry chooséd a book.

Answer 434

Harry chose a book.CThe past tense of choose is chose; it is an irregular verb.

Question 435

46.✗The teacher marked what he was doing.

Answer 435

The teacher noticed what he was doing.CTo mark means to make a visible impression on; to notice means to take note of.

Question 436

47.✗He asked to Rama why your father is angry.

Answer 436

He asked Rama why his father was angry.CIf a clause is in the reported speech, we have to use a third person possession for a second person possessive. Besides we ask (not ask to) someone.

Question 437

48.✗I do not care for you (spoken angrily).

Answer 437

I do not care what you do.C'I do not care for you', properly used, means 'I do not like you as a friend'. 'I do not care for hockey' means 'I do not enjoy playing hockey'.

Question 438

49.✗He does not care for his work.

Answer 438

He takes no care of his work.CTo care for means 'to look after' or 'provide' which is not meant here.

Question 439

50.✗No one cared for him after his wife died.

Answer 439

No one took care of him after his wife had died.CThe misuse of 'care for' is very common and the above mentioned sentences need much practice.

Question 440

51.✗When I went there I found that the lion was disappeared.

Answer 440

When I went there I found that the lion had disappeared.CThe second clause needs past perfect tense, and not the passive voice.

Question 441

52.✗I did not stop because he went out before I arrived.

Answer 441

I did not stop because he had gone out before I arrived.CIf the past action occurred prior to another past action and is mentioned, it must be in the past perfect tense.

Question 442

53.✗I met a man who was my tutor 20 years ago.

Answer 442

I met a man who was my tutor twenty years ago.CCardinal numbers from 1-9 are written in numerical forms, whereas, ordinal numbers are written in words.

Question 443

54.✗If I would have done this, I would have done wrong.

Answer 443

If I had done this, I should have done wrong.CThe conditional clause cannot be in the future (or the past form of the future) tense.

Question 444

55.✗Leave the horse's reins.

Answer 444

Let go the horse's reins.CLeave means 'go away from' and let go means allow someone to escape or go free.

Question 445

56.✗He had to leave his rights.

Answer 445

He had to abandon (or relinquish) his rights.CTo leave means 'to go away from'. One cannot go away from one's rights but one can abandon (i.e. give up) one's rights. 'To leave' is a verb often misused. Correct uses are: (a) to leave a place, (b) to leave something at some place, (c) to leave someone to do something.

Question 446

57.✗I take my food.

Answer 446

I have my food.C'Take my food' is not wrong, but an Englishman rarely uses this expression.

Question 447

58.✗I take your leave.

Answer 447

I must say goodbye.C'I take your leave' is not wrong, but is suitable only for a formal occasion.

Question 448

59.✗In the noon I took rest.

Answer 448

I had a rest in the middle of the day.CTo have a rest is more colloquial than to take rest. Noon refers to twelve o'clock in the day, it is a point (rather than period of time).

Question 449

60.✗I came to know as to how he did this.

Answer 449

I learnt how he did this.C The use of as to is superfluous. To learn (to gain knowledge of) is a conscious process, to come to know is accidental.

Question 450

61.✗I came to know why he was sad.

Answer 450

I found out why he was sad.C'Came to know' is a difficult phrase to use correctly and is better avoided.

Question 451

62.✗He went to school to know arithmetic.

Answer 451

He went to school to learn arithmetic.CWe 'learn' before we 'know'. 'Know' is used when learning is finished.

Question 452

63.✗He knows to swim.

Answer 452

He knows how to swim.CHe knows the technique or art of swimming rather than what the verb indicates.

Question 453

64.✗Later on he knew his mistake.

Answer 453

Later on he realized his mistake.CTo realize means 'to' become fully aware of whereas to know means 'to have knowledge or information'.

Question 454

65.✗He cut his pencil.

Answer 454

He sharpened his pencil.CSharpen means 'to make something sharp' whereas to cut means, 'to make an opening' or 'to remove'.

Question 455

66.✗Shall I cut this word?

Answer 455

Shall I scratch out this word?CTo cut means 'to abridge' or 'remove' whereas to scratch means 'to strike out'.

Question 456

67.✗They cut Charles I's head.

Answer 456

They cut off Charles I's head.CCut means 'to make an opening' or 'to remove' but cut off means 'to remove completely by cutting'.

Question 457

68.✗I asked my servant to bring water.

Answer 457

I told my servant to bring water.CIt is advisable to use 'I told him to...' only towards a person to whom you have a right to give an order, and 'I asked him to...' towards a person of whom you can or want to make a request only.

Question 458

69.✗He is troubling his subjects.

Answer 458

He is oppressing his subjects. He is ill-treating his subjects.C To trouble means 'to cause distress or anxiety'. It is not an appropriate word in this context.

Question 459

70.✗He is troubling me.

Answer 459

He is giving me trouble. He is treating me badly. He is bullying me. CTo use trouble as a verb is not wrong but to give trouble is more idiomatic. To bully is a stranger term, it means 'to use strength to intimidate someone'.

Question 460

71.✗My foot is paining.

Answer 460

I have a pain in my foot. My foot is hurting.C'To pain' (verb) should be used transitively only.

Question 461

72.✗All day I was putting on a sweater.✗He came putting on a smart turban.

Answer 461

All day I was wearing a sweater. He was wearing a smart turban.C'To put on clothes' refers to the act of dressing, e.g. 'he is in his room putting on his shoes'. Once the act of dressing is over, 'to wear' is used to express the act of carrying clothes on the body.

Question 462

73.✗I cannot put on with my work.

Answer 462

I cannot manage my work.CPut on (add to existing service) cannot be used in the sense of manage.

Question 463

74.✗I have ordered for a new racquet.

Answer 463

I have ordered a new racquet.CWhen used with an object, order does not need a preposition.

Question 464

75.✗I have disposed off my car.

Answer 464

I have disposed of my car.CDispose of means 'to get rid of'. There is no phrasal verb 'dispose off'.

Question 465

76.✗I put up with him (meaning stayed).

Answer 465

He put me up.C'To put up with' should be used only to mean to tolerate an annoying person or thing.

Question 466

77.✗People respected him at the station.

Answer 466

People treated him with respect at the station. People showed respect for him at the station.C'To respect someone' properly means to have a high opinion of someone's character.

Question 467

78.✗I had a mind to play.

Answer 467

I intended to play.CTo have a mind is not an acceptable expression.

Question 468

79.✗It goes hard with him to do this.

Answer 468

He finds it hard to do this.CTo go hard is not an acceptable expression.

Question 469

80.✗We cannot maintain our livelihood.

Answer 469

We cannot earn a living. We cannot get a living.CTo maintain means 'to keep something at the same level'.

Question 470

81.✗I persuaded him to stop but he would not.

Answer 470

I tried to persuade him to stop.CPersuade means to induce someone to do something by reasoning. It is used only if the effort is successful.

Question 471

82.✗I shot the tiger but missed.

Answer 471

I missed the tiger. I shot at the tiger but missed.CIf you say 'I shot the tiger', you mean you hit and probably killed it.

Question 472

83.✗I went for shooting and enjoyed.

Answer 472

I went out shooting and enjoyed myself.CTo enjoy oneself means 'to have a pleasant time.'

Question 473

84.✗Do not play mischiefs.

Answer 473

Do not get up to mischief.CTo play means 'to take part in something'. To get up to means 'to be occupied in.'

Question 474

85.✗I stood second in my class.

Answer 474

I was second in my class.C'Stand second' is not wrong but I think an Englishman would rarely use it.

Question 475

86.✗I am reading at the high school.

Answer 475

I am at the high school.C'To read' should be used to mean 'to peruse or to study books'.

Question 476

87.✗He did no fault.

Answer 476

He committed no fault.C To commit means 'to carry out'. We commit a mistake, fault or crime. The use of 'do' is inappropriate.

Question 477

88.✗We make drill.

Answer 477

We do drill.CDrill refers to military training exercises. We cannot 'make drill'.

Question 478

89.✗The council is consisted of ten members.

Answer 478

The council consists of ten members.CCouncil of (to be composed of) cannot be passivised.

Question 479

90.✗Romulus found Rome.

Answer 479

Romulus founded Rome.CThe past tense of found (establish) is founded.

Question 480

91.✗'Where is the book?'—'It is not found'.

Answer 480

Where is the book?'—'It is lost.'CThe opposite of 'to find' is 'to lose'.

Question 481

92.✗He prevented him from harm.

Answer 481

He protected him from harm.C'Prevent' and 'protect' are often confused. 'Prevent' is used to stop someone from beginning to do harm; 'protect' means to save someone from harm.

Question 482

93.✗My leg has been operated.

Answer 482

I have had an operation on my leg. Or, my leg has been operated on.C'To operate' (verb) used in the sense of to perform a surgical must be followed by 'on'.

Question 483

94.✗It is written in this letter that...

Answer 483

This letter says that...C'It is written' is not wrong, but is usually clumsy English.

Question 484

95.✗He losed a rupee.

Answer 484

He lost a rupee.CThere are verbs that do not take 'ed' for the past tense. The past tense of lose is 'lost'.

Question 485

96.✗When he comes you must wish him.

Answer 485

When he comes you must greet (or welcome) him.CAs a verb, wish needs two objects (e.g. I wished him a good day).

Question 486

97.✗This boy always needs poking.

Answer 486

This boy always needs pushing along.CTo poke means 'to prod' and is not appropriate here.

Question 487

98.✗I gave him a love-set.

Answer 487

I took a love-set off him. I beat him in a love-set.CYou can 'beat' or 'defeat', not take a love-set.

Question 488

99.✗You can avail of this.✗This can be availed of.

Answer 488

You can avail yourself of this.COne can avail oneself of something; that is the idiom.

Question 489

100.✗Rita is very much sorry.

Answer 489

Rita is very sorry.CBoth 'very' and 'much' are intensified of the same type. Hence, much is redundant.

Question 490

101.✗We scarcely see a lion.

Answer 490

We rarely see a lion.CScarcely means 'almost not' whereas rarely means 'not often'.

Question 491

102.✗I did it anyhow.

Answer 491

I managed to do it somehow.C'Anyhow' means 'anyway'. It is used to indicate that something happened or will happen in spite of something else.

Question 492

103.✗Harry told the story in details.

Answer 492

Harry told the story in detail.CIn detail refers to 'in regard to every feature or aspect'. It is an adverbial expression.

Question 493

104.✗Aeroplanes reach Europe soon.

Answer 493

Aeroplanes reach Europe quickly.CQuickly means 'at a fast speed' taking short time whereas soon means in a short time.

Question 494

105.✗Yesterday in the night Harry came to dinner.

Answer 494

Yesterday evening Harry came to dinner.CEvening refers to the period of time at the end of the day, usually up to bedtime.

Question 495

106.✗Before long there was no one there.

Answer 495

Long ago there was no one there.C'Ago' means 'counting from now'; 'before long' means 'soon'.

Question 496

107.✗What for do you go to school?

Answer 496

What do you go to school for? Why do you go to school?C'For what' (reasons) means why. As the question word moves to the beginning of a sentence, the preposition may be left behind.

Question 497

108.✗This book is too interesting.

Answer 497

This book is very interesting.C'Very' is a neutral intensifier whereas 'too' suggests something excessive.

Question 498

109.✗He behaved cowardly.

Answer 498

He behaved in a cowardly manner.C'Cowardly' is an adjective and cannot be used as an adverb.

Question 499

110.✗Silas lives miserly.

Answer 499

Silas lives in a miserly way.C'Miserly' is an adjective, the adverbial form is 'in a miserly manner'.

Question 500

111.✗He plays good.

Answer 500

He plays well.C'Good' is not used as an adverb just as 'well' is not used as an adjective.