ADJECTIVE

Rule-1 Adjective of quantity like much, LITTLE, ENOUGH, SUFFICIENT,

WHOLE, etc. must be used with uncountable nouns only as they express quantity
and not number.
Ex.-Many (not much) boys are absent from the class today.
Many (not much) boys failed in the examination.
Rule-2 The use of few, a few and the few should be used with care they
denote number. Few means NOT MANY.
Few has negative meaning
A few means SOME AT LEAST
The few means WHATEVER THERE IS.

Ex. I read few books.

I Read a few books.
I Read the few books I had.
A few men are true from fault. (Incorrect)
Few men are true from fault. (Correct)
Rule-3 Use of little, a little, the little
Little means hardly any in quantity.
Ex.-He had little money
There is little water in the bottle
There is a little hope of his recovery (Incorrect)
There is little hope of his recovery (Correct)

A little means Some in quantity if not much.

Ex.-Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Incorrect)
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.(correct)
He had a little money.
There is a little water in the bottle.

The little means not much in quantity but all that is.
Ex.-I spent the little money I had.
little water that is in the bottle may be used for the patient. (Incorrect)
A little water that is in .. (Correct)
Rule-4 Adjective of number must be used only with the countable nouns and
not with uncountable as they indicate number and not quantity.
Ex-I have taken many milk today. (Incorrect)
I have taken much milk today. (Correct)

Do not drink so many water. (Incorrect)

Do not drink so much water. (Correct)
 Rule-5 Some, All, Any, No. Most etc. may be used both as adjectives of
number and Adjectives of quantity as they can express number as well as
quantity.
Ex.-There are no boys in the class (Adj. of Number)
There is no milk in the pot. (Adj. of quantity)

All big machines are imported from foreign countries. (Adj. of number)
All the sugar was thrown into the sea. (Adj. of Quantity)

Give me some water. (Adj. of Quantity)

Some of these students are excellent. (Adj. of Number)
Rule-6 the comparative adjectives, ending with like superior, inferior, senior,
junior, prior, anterior, posterior, exterior etc. Take to after them and not than.
Ex.-He is senior than me. (Incorrect)
He is senior to me. (Correct)

Health is preferable than wealth. (Incorrect)

Health is preferable to wealth. (Correct)
Rule-7 Double comparative adjectives or double superlative adjectives must
not be used.
(Incorrect) He is more senior than me.
(Correct) He is senior to me.

Milk is more preferable than tea. (Incorrect)

Milk is preferable to tea. (Correct)

Ashoka was the most strongest of the kings. (Incorrect)

Ashoka was the strongest of the kings. (Correct)
Rule-8 Comparative degree must be used when the comparison is between
two persons of things and superlative degree when the comparison is among more
than two things.
Ex.-Who is the tallest of these two brothers ? (Incorrect)
Who is taller of these two brothers ? (Correct)

He is wise of all students in the class. (Incorrect)

He is the wisest of all students in the class. (Correct)
Rule-9 The comparative ending in er is not used when we compare two
qualities in the same person or thing. In that case we use more before the
Adjective.
Ex.- Ram is braver than wise. (Incorrect)
Ram is more brave than wise (Correct)
Rule-10 Use of (Later, Latter; latest, last)
Later and Latest shows time
Latter and last shows position

Ex.-He latter refused to come (Incorrect)

He later refused to come. (Correct)

The later part of the novel is not clearly written (Incorrect)

The latter part of the novel is not clearly written . (Correct)
Rule-11 Use of (farther, further; farthest, furthest)
Farther, Farthest - denote distance
Further, Furthest - next, also (position)

Ex.-After this he made no farther statement. (Incorrect)

After this he made no further statement. (Correct)

Delhi is farther from Haridwar than Roorkee.

Dont make further delay.
Rule-12 Before superlative adjectives articles THE must (always) placed.
Ex.-He is the best boy of the class.
She is the most intelligent girl.
Rule-13 Use of (Nearest, next)
Nearest denotes distance.
Next denotes position.

Ex.-He was sitting next to me.

Patna junction is the nearest to my house.

This is the next post-office to my house. (Incorrect)

This is the nearest post-office to my house. (Correct)
Rule-14 Use of (Elder, older; Eldest, oldest)
Elder and eldest are used of members of the same family.
Older and oldest are used for persons or things.

Elder takes To after it while older takes than

Ex.-I have an older brother (Incorrect)
I have an elder brother (Correct)

Mohan is the eldest boy in the town. (Incorrect)

Mohan is the oldest boy in the town. (Correct)

Rule-15 Use of less and fewer

Less - Quantity
Fewer - Number
Ex.-There is fewer sugar in your tea than in mine. (Incorrect)
There is less sugar in your tea than in mine. (Correct)
He has less money than I.

Rule-16 Some adjectives like (Perfect, Ideal, Full, Chief, Unique, Complete,
Infinite, Extreme, Entire, Universal, Empty, Impossible, Unanimous, square, sound
etc. are not compared as they express meaning which do not admit of any
variation of degrees.
Ex.-This achievement was most unique. (Incorrect)
His achievement was unique. (Correct)

Your knowledge is most perfect. (Incorrect)

Your knowledge is perfect (Incorrect)

Rule-17 When a comparison is introduced and has ANY after it, the things
compared must always be excluded from the class of things with which it is
compared, by using OTHER
Ex.-London is larger than any city in England. (Incorrect)
London is larger than any other city in England (Correct)

Ram is cleverer than any student in his class (Incorrect)

Ram is cleverer than any other student in his class. (Correct)

The tiger is as swift as any animal.

The tiger is as swift as any other animal.

Rule-18 Each is used to indicate a limited number and EVERY to denote an

unlimited number in selection or choice.
Ex.-Everyone of the two boys was given a prize. (Incorrect)
Each one of the two boys was given a prize (Correct)

He came to see us Each day. (Incorrect)

He came to see us Every day. (Correct)

Rule-19 "Some" is used in the affirmative sentence "any" is used in negative

and interrogative sentence.
I dont want some chocolates. (Incorrect)
I dont want any chocolates (Correct)

I will have any tea. (Incorrect)

I will have some tea. (Correct)

Did you go somewhere last night ?

Did you go anywhere last night ?
 Rule-20 Whats the Correct Order for Multiple Adjectives in a sentence?
When you list several adjectives in a row, theres a specific order they need to be
written or spoken. Native speakers of English tend to put them in the correct order
naturally, but if youre learning English, youll have to memorize the order. It goes
like this:
Before the adjectives you will normally have the Determiner.

1.Determiner: The determiner tells us if the noun is singular or plural, definite or

indefinite
a, an, the, my, your, four, those, some etc

2.Quantity or number:

3.Quality or opinion: Explains what we think about something. This is usually our
opinion, attitude or observations. These adjectives almost always come before all
other adjectives.
beautiful, boring, stupid, delicious, useful, lovely, comfortable

4.Size: Tells us how big or small something is.

big, small, tall, huge, tiny

5.Shape / Weight / Length: Tells about the shape of something or how long or short it
is. It can also refer to the weight of someone or something.
round, square, circular, skinny, fat, heavy, straight, long, short,

6.Condition: Tells us the general condition or state of something

broken, cold, hot, wet, hungry, rich, easy, difficult, dirty

7.Age: Tells us how old someone or something is.

old, young, new, ancient, antique

8. Colour: The colour or approximate colour of something.

green, white, blue, reddish, purple

9.Pattern: The pattern or design of something.

striped, spotted, checked, flowery

10.Origin: Tells us where something is from.

American, British, Italian, eastern, Australian, Chilean

11.Material: What is the thing made of or constructed of?

gold, wooden, silk, paper, synthetic, cotton, woolen

12.Purpose/Qualifier/Use: What is it for? These adjectives often end in ing.

sleeping (bag), gardening (gloves), shopping (bag), wedding (dress)
If you look at the examples above, you can ask what are the gloves used for?
(gardening) What is the bag used for? (shopping)

And after these adjectives we have the

13.Noun: The person or thing that is being described

This is the correct order for adjectives that come directly before a noun, and they are
separated by commas.

Ex- My beautiful, big, circular, antique, brown, English, wooden coffee table was
broken in the move.

If the adjectives come after the verb be as the complement, then the qualifier will
stick with the noun at the beginning of the sentence. The adjectives in the
complement are separated by commas with the final two being separated by and.
For example-
My coffee table is beautiful, big, circular, antique, brown, English and wooden.

Ex- I love that really big old green antique car that always parked at the end of the
street.
Ex- a wonderful old Italian Car.(opinion-age- origin)
A big square blue box. (size -shape- color)
A disgusting pink plastic ornament. (opinion- color- material)
I bought a pair of black leather. (color-material)

Verb
A Verb is a word that tells or asserts something about a person or thing. It tells about the person
or thing in the state of (a) doing, (b) being or (c) being acted up on. Thus a verb is a doing or
being word.

Kinds of verbs :
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
A Transitive verb is a verb that denotes an action which passes over from the doer or agent to an
object, Transitive means passing over. For example,
India won the World Cup.

An Intransitive verb is a verb that denotes an action which does not pass over to an object, or
that expresses a state of an object, or that expresses a state of being. Intransitive means not
passing over. For example,
The sun shines brightly.

Rule: When an intransitive verb is used in a causative sense, it becomes transitive.

1. He sat in a chair.
2. He sat me on chair.

Rule: Verbs like, fall, lie, rise and sit are made transitive by a slight change in their spellings.
The transitive is the causative of the corresponding intransitive verb.
Incorrect: The poachers were caught yesterday when they fell trees illegally.
Correct : The poachers were caught yesterday when they felled trees illegally.

Verbs of Incomplete Predication

The intransitive verb which requires something to make the sense complete is called a verb of
incomplete predication.
For example be, become, seem, grow, taste, appear.
That which is required to make the sense (of these verbs) complete is known as the complement
of the verb or the completion of the predicate.
For example,
The family appears.

Rule: When the subjective complement is a noun (or a pronoun), it is in the same case as the
subject, that is, in the nominative case.
For example
The lawyer called the witness a liar.

Rule: When the objective complement is a noun it is in the objective case in agreement with the
object.

Subject-Verb Agreement :
Language has its base in logic and harmony. The subject and the verb are the essential parts of a
sentence. It is imperative that the verb agree with the subject in number and person.

Rule: Two or more singular subjects connected by and usually take a verb in the plural.
Incorrect: Computer and telecommunication has metamorphosed information technology.
Correct: Computer and telecommunication have metamorphosed information technology.

Rule: If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular.
Incorrect : The poet and critic have been honoured.
Correct : The poet and critic has been honoured.

Rule: If two subjects together express one idea, the verb is in the singular.
Incorrect: Bread and butter are essential for one's life.
Correct: Bread and butter is essential for one's life.

Rule: If the singular subjects are preceded by each or every, the verb is usually singular.
Incorrect: Every man and woman in a family are responsible for the upbringing of a child.
Correct: Every man and woman in a family is responsible for the upbringing of a child.

Rule : Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor, either ... or, neither... nor take a verb
in the singular.
Incorrect: Either Manoj or Madhukar have the key to this problem.
Correct: Either Manoj or Madhukar has the key to this problem.

Rule: When the subjects, joined by or or nor are of different numbers, the verb must be plural,
and the plural subject must be placed next to the verb.
Incorrect : Neither Rekha nor her friends was present at the party.
Correct : Neither Rekha nor her friends were present at the party.

Rule: When the subjects, joined by or or nor are of different persons, the verb agrees in person
with the one nearest to it.
Incorrect : Either she or I pays the fees.
Correct : Either she or I pay the fees.

Error of Proximity: The verb is made to agree in number with a noun near it instead of with its
proper subject. This is wrong and should be avoided.
Incorrect : The behaviour of the students were not proper.
Correct: The behaviour of the students was not proper.

Rule: Words joined to a singular subject by with, as well as, etc. are parenthetical. The verb
should therefore be put in the singular.
Incorrect: The guru as well as his disciples are committed to celibacy.
Correct: The guru as well as his disciples is committed to celibacy.

Rule: Either, neither, each, everyone, many a must be followed by a singular verb.
Incorrect: Many a man have resigned in crisis.
Correct: Many a man has resigned in crisis.

Rule: When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the
verb is generally singular.
Incorrect: Five hours are too short a time to judge one's character.
Correct: Five hours is too short a time to judge one's character.

The Infinitive
Usually a verb is limited by the number and person of its subject.
For example,
He plays cricket.
They play cricket.

A verb, which is not limited by person and number as a verb that has a subject, is called the verb
infinite or the infinitive. Infinitives are of two kinds.
(1) Simple Infinitive and
(2) Gerundial or Qualifying Infinitive.

(1) Simple Infinitive - when the infinitive is used like a noun.

(i) as the subject of a verb. To name is to give an identity.
(ii) as the object of a verb. I have decided to leave the place.
(iii) as the complement of a verb. Her hobby is to dance.
(iv) as the object of a preposition. He is about to go.
(v) as the complement of the object. She heard her weep.

(2) Gerundial or Qualifying Infinitive-when the infinitive is used for the following purposes:
(i) to qualify a verb. He slept to refresh himself.
(ii) to qualify an adjective. Tea is easy to prepare.
(iii) to qualify a noun. He has a point to make.
(iv) to qualify a sentence. To be very frank, I hate your smile.

Rule: The infinitive is used without to after verbs like help, watch, bid, dare, hear, let, make,
need and see.
Incorrect : I bid him to quit the organisation.
Correct : I bid him quit the organisation.

Rule: If, however, the structure is do + dare or do + need, the infinitive is used with to.
Incorrect: You do not need worry about us.
Correct: You do not need to worry about us.

Rule: The following verbs are followed by the infinitive.

Agree, arrange, attempt, care, cease, consent, decide, determine, endeavour, fall, forget, hesitate,
hope,learn, manage, neglect, prepare, promise, propose, refuse, regret, remember, seem, swear,
undertake.
Incorrect: I agree for helping you out in trouble.
Correct: I agree to help you out in trouble.

Rule: Prepositions but and except take the infinitive without to.
Incorrect: There is no alternative but to help him out.
Correct : There is no alternative but help him out.

Rule: Expressions would rather, would sooner, rather than, sooner than, had better are followed
by infinitive without to.
Incorrect : I would rather to go for batting.
Correct : I would rather go for batting.
Participle
(1) Present Participle
(2) Past Participle
(3) Perfect Participle

Rule: Present participle is used when all the parts of a sentence have the same subject;
Incorrect: Opened the drawer, he took out his gun.
Correct: Opening the drawer, he took out his gun.

Rule: When a sentence has two different subjects, avoid using present participle. Instead a clause
should be used in such instances.
Incorrect: While going to school, a dog jumped at me.
Correct: While I was going to school, a dog jumped at me.

Rule: Some past participles are used only as adjectives and qualify a noun. They can be used as
past participles with changed spellings. For example, shrunken, drunken, sunken, graven, molten.
Incorrect: He and his brother have drunken wine last night.
Correct: He and his brother have drunk wine last night.

Rule: Perfect participle is used when one activity is completely over. Having worked hard, he
felt tired.

Auxiliary Verb
Auxiliary literally means giving help, So an auxiliary verb is one that helps the main verb form
in tenses, moods, voices etc. The following verbs are auxiliaries: is, are, am, was, were, be, can,
could, dare, do, does, did, have, has, had, may, might, must, need, ought, shall, should, will,
would, used to.

1. May implies permission, doubt or possibility.

Ex. May I come in? (permission)
It may rain tonight. (possibility)

2. Might is the past form of may and it implies more doubt than may.
Ex. If the clouds are salted, the rains might come.

3. Can is used to express ability.

Ex. He can do the work.

4. Could is the past form of can but it does not necessarily represent past time. Often it implies a
more uncertain condition.
Ex. He could refuse, but she never does.

5. Should expresses the idea that something must be done or is important.

Should and ought to have similar meanings, but ought is followed by to Ought to has a
more objective force and is used when we are talking about laws, duties and regulations.
Ex. We ought to see her tomorrow.

6. Must is used to give strong advice or orders.

Ex. He really must stop drinking.

7. Do is used to make question and negative forms of ordinary verbs.

Ex. Do you know him?
I dont like swimming.
Do is always used in question-tags.
Ex. You know painting, do you?

Quiz based on above concepts:

Directions: In the following questions, some of the sentences have errors and some have
none. Find out which part of the sentence has an error. If there is no mistake, the answer is
No error.

1. Many a student (a)/ are frustrated (b)/ because of unemployment. (c)/ No error (d)
2. It is true (a)/ that the poor is unable (b)/ to get nourishing food even today. (c)/ No error (d)
3. People have a right to criticise (a)/ but at the same time each of them (b)/ have to remember
his duty also. (c)/ No error (d)
4. The child (a)/ picked up a burned paper (b)/ from the street. (c)/ No error (d)
5. Never did this exhibition of contempt and anger ceased (a)/ so long as British rule remained
(b)/ a live thing in India. (c)/ No error (d)
6. The teacher was angry (a)/ when he found that (b)/ you are not there. (c)/ No error (d)
7. I would like you to (a)/ complete this assignment (b) before you will leave for Mumbai. (c)/
No error (d)
8. Ordinarily, when in difficulty (a)/ Ruchi prefers keeping her counsel (b)/ than running about
taking advice. (c)/ No error (d)
9. One of the drawbacks (a)/ of modern education are (b)/ that it does not encourage original
thinking. (c)/ No error (d)
10. I enquired of him (a)/ why he is so negligent (b)/ in his studies. (c)/ No error (d)

Answers:

1. b; Replace are with is

Many a takes singular subject and singular verb.
2. b; Replace is with are
Here, poor stands for poor people.
3. c; Replace have with has
4. b; Replace burned with burnt
5. a; Replace ceased with cease
6. c; Replace are with were
7. c; Remove will
8. c; Replace than with to
9. b; Replace are with is
10. b; Replace is with was

Subject Verb Agreement relates to number agreement (singular or

plural) between the subject and the verb that follows it
e.g. The girl plays all day. (singular subject)
The girls play all day. (plural subject)

There are two important exceptions to subject verb agreement. Firstly,

agreement only applies when the verb is in the present tense. In the past
tense, there is no overt agreement between the subject and the verb.

e.g. The girl played all day.

The girls played all day.

And secondly, agreement applies only to third person subjects. There is no

distinction between a first person singular subject and a first person plural
subject.

e.g. I play all day.

We play all day.

The main principle is : Singular subjects need singular verbs : plural

subjects need ; plural subjects need plural verbs. Some basic rules:

1. When subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns

connected by and, we use a plural verb.
He and his friends are at the fair.
This rule is not follow when two nouns refer to the same object.
The wicket keeper and Captain was given the man of the match award.

2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, we use
a singular verb.
e.g. The paper or the pencil is in the desk.

3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun
joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer
to the verb.
e.g. Shivin or his friends run every day.
His friends or Shivin runs every day.
4. Doesnt is contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular
subject. Dont is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural
subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and
second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns the contraction dont
should be used.
e.g. She doesnt like it.
They dont like it.

5. A phrase between the subject and the verb should not be misleading, the verb
agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.
e.g. The captain, as well as his players, is anxious.
The book, in parts, is boring.
The building, with all its contents, is insured.

6. Each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, nobody,

somebody, some one and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
e.g. Each of these books is good.
Everybody knows him.
Either is correct.

7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, rupees and news require singular verbs.
e.g. The news is on at eight.
When talking about an amount of money, it requires a singular verb, but when
referring to the rupees themselves, a plural verb is required.
e.g. Five hundred rupees is a lot of money.
Rupees are often used instead or Rupiahs in Nepal.

8. Nouns such as scissors, trousers, shears and shorts require plural verbs.
e.g. These shears are dull.
These shorts are made of cotton.

9. In sentences beginning with there is, there are, the subject follows the verb.
Since there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.
e.g. There are many questions
There is a question.

10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered
singular and take a singular verb, such as : group, team, committee, class and
family.
e.g. The family has a long history of writers.
The committee has prepared the agenda.

11. With, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not
change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.
e.g. The Chairman, including his team, is travelling to China.
The boys, together with their friends, are going for a picnic.

12. The relative pronouns (who, whom, which, and that) are either singular or
plural, depending on the words they refer to.
 e.g. The sales manager is good researcher who spends a great amount of time
surfing the Web for information.
Subject : The sales manager Verbs: is, spends

13. A few nouns can be either plural or singular, depending on whether they mean
a group or Separate individuals. These words are rarely used as plurals in modern
writing.
e.g. 1. The jury has decided unanimously.
Subject: jury Verb: is
2. The jury are having an argument.
Subject: jury Verb: are having

14. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb.
The agrees with the
subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.
e.g. One of the boxes is open.
The people who listen to music are few.

15. Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular

verb as in Rule 1.
e.g. Neither John nor Abraham is available.
Either Bipasha or neelam is helping today with stage decoration.

16. When/is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it
second and follow it with the singular verb am.
e.g. Neither she nor I am going to the festival

17. With words that indicate portions-percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all,
none, remainder, and so forth look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the
preposition) to determine whether to use a singular of plural verb. If the object of
the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is
plural, use a plural verb.
e.g. 1. Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared. (Pie is the object of the preposition
of.)
2. Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.
3. One-third of the city is unemployed.
4. One-third of the people are unemployed.

NOTE: Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions.

5. All of the pie is gone.
6. All of the pies are gone.
7. Some of the pie is missing.
8. Some of the pies are missing.

18. Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.

e.g. Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Identifying the subject

Word groups often come between the subject and the verb. These word groups may
contain a noun that at first appears to be the subject. Identify the word group
between the subject and the verb in order to isolate the noun.
e.g. The girl plays all day. (singular subject)
e.g. The slaughter of pandas for their pelts have caused panda population to
decline Drastically. (Incorrect)
The slaughter of pandas for their pelts has caused the panda population to decline
drastically. (Correct)

Thus, the subject is slaughter and not pandas or pelts.

Phrases beginning with the prepositions as well as, in addition to,

accompanied by, and along with, do not make a singular subject plural.
e.g. The Chief Minister, as well as his principal secretary, was shot.
e.g. If a customer buys a burger, he or she has to pay service tax. (correct)
If a customer buys a burger, they have to buy a parking ticket. (incorrect)

Questions:
Directions: Find out the error, if any in questions given in each practice
set. If there is no error, the answer is (e), i.e No error (ignore the errors of
punctuation, if any.)

1. A few kilometers beyond (a) /that villa was seen two aliens (b )/along
with (c)/ a few Americans and Russian scientists (d)/ No error (e).

2. It is well known fact that (a)/the upper middle class have no soft (b)/
corner for the poor and the oppressed who are the (c)/real victims of this
social system (d)/ No error (e).

3. Sheetal as well as (a)/ some of her friends (b)/have fallen in love with a
hunky fellow, who (c)/ is the eldest son of an I.A.S. officer (d)/ No error (e).

4. More than one successful candidate of this institute (a)/have taken the
interview for one (b)/of the most popular dailies (c)/being published from
Los Angels (d)/ No error (e).

5. More than one book on life style (a)/ and motivation by this writer
(b)/have been published so far and (c)/all are selling like a hot cake (d)/ No
error (e).

6. Many a man along with (a)/a few friends of mine are going (b)/to
DevGhar to offer flowers and (c)/milk to Lord Shiva (d)/ No error (e).

7. Many an employee of this company (a)/ are supposed to be transferred

(b)/ to some other company (c)/ of the same category because of recession
(d)/ No error (e).

8. The political leader as well as (a)/ his retinues are going on a hunger
(b)/ Strike to protest this (c)/ unnecessary price hike (d)/ No error (e).
9. Although this book as well as those (a)/ books of yours are similar (b)/
in many ways, mine has (c)/ an edge over many a book of yours (d)/ No
error (e).

10. The prime minister along with his (a)/ attendants are coming tomorrow
(b)/ to address the sensational (c)/ and controversial issues of terrorism
(d)/ No error (e).

Answers..
1. b
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. c
6. b
7. a
8. b
9. b
10. B

Adverb:
An adverb is a word which modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective or an
adverb. For example

Rama runs quickly.

Govinda reads quite clearly.

Kinds of Adverb
(a) According to meaning
1) Adverbs of Time : They are the adverbs which tell us when an action takes place.
For example,
I shall meet you tomorrow.

Rule : Time adverbs cannot be used in the present perfect, instead the past
indefinite is used for them.
Incorrect : I have seen a 3D movie last night.
Correct : I saw a 3D movie last night.

2) Adverbs of Place : They are the adverbs which tell us where an action takes
place. For example,
He left his bag there.

3) Adverbs of Manner : They are the adverbs which tell us how an action takes
place or in what manner. For example, Gautam Buddha left his family stealthily.

4) Adverbs of Frequency : They are the adverbs which tell us how often an action
takes place. For example, The Delhi Police is always with you .
5) Adverbs of Degree or Quantity : They are the adverbs which tell us how
much or in what degree or to what extent. For example,
I have pleaded enough and now I give up.

Rule : The adverb so as an adverb of degree must not be used absolutely.

Incorrect : He is so rich.
Correct : He is very rich.

Rule : That should not be used instead of so as an adverb.

Incorrect : He went only that far.

Correct : He went only so far.

Rule : The adverb too should not be used instead of very or much and vice
versa.
Incorrect : She is too intelligent.
Correct : she is very intelligent.

Rule : Much is used with past participles used as adjectives not with present
participles.
Incorrect : The match became much interesting.
Correct : The match became very interesting.

Rule : Adverb of degree comes just before the adjective it qualifies.

Incorrect : He too is weak to run.
Correct : He is too weak to run.
They are so honest that they cannot tell a lie.

6) Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation : They are the adverbs which tell us
whether an action is done or not. For example,
He has not left the place.

7) Adverbs of Reason : They are the adverbs which tell us why an action takes
place. For example,
She therefore decided to be a rich woman.

(b) According to use

1) Simple Adverb : It only modifies some words (verb, adjective or an adverb). All
the above examples belong to this category.

2) Interrogative Adverb : It not only modifies some words but also introduces a
question. For example, How did you come here?

3) Relative Adverb : It not only modifies some words but also refers back to some
antecedent. For example,
How can I forget the day when happiness was
showered on me from all sides?
Forms of adverb :

Rule : Adjective should not be used for adverb.

Incorrect: The moon shone bright in the sky.
Correct: The moon shone brightly in the sky.

Rule : Some adverbs have two forms, the form ending in-ly and the form which is
the same as adjective. For example, loud, quick, high, hard, near, late, pretty.
Incorrect: He fought hardly for the No. 1 spot.
Correct: He fought hard for the No. 1 spot.
Similarly, Incorrect: It would hard rain today.
Correct : It would hardly rain today.

Comparison of adverbs :

Rule : If the adverb is of one syllable, the comparative is formed by adding-er and
the superlative by addingest to the positive.
Incorrect : The hare ran more fast than the dog.
Correct : The hare ran faster than the dog.

Rule : Adverbs ending in -ly form the comparative by adding more and the
superlative by adding most.
Incorrect : The petrol price hike issue has been debated hotlier than the urea scam.
Correct : The petrol price hike issue has been debated more hotly than the urea
scam.

Position of adverbs :

Rule : Adverbs of manner, place and time are generally placed after the verb or
after the object if there is one.
Incorrect: He wrote last year a book.
Correct: He wrote a book last year.

Rule : When there are two or more adverbs after a verb (and its object), the normal
order is; adverb of manner, adverb of place, adverb of time.
Incorrect: I read the proof yesterday meticulously at home.
Correct: I read the proof meticulously at home yesterday.

Rule : Adverbs of frequency and most of the adverbs of quantity are

i) normally put between the subject and the verb if the verb consists of only one
word;
ii) put after the first word if there is more than one word in the verb;
iii) put after the verb if the verb is am/are/is/was/were;

Some more rules :

Rule : Two negatives should not be used in the same sentence unless we wish to
make an affirmation.
Incorrect: she did not despise none of her lovers.
Correct: She did not despise any of her lovers.
Rule : Ever should not be used for never.
Incorrect: She seldom or ever has sweet talks with her son.
Correct: She seldom or never has sweet talks with her son.

Rule : Else should be followed by but.

Incorrect: It is nothing else than fatigue.
Correct: It is nothing else but fatigue.

Rule : Never should not be used for not.

Incorrect: She met her friend after a long time and her friend never recognised her.
Correct: She met her friend after a long time and her friend did not recognise her.

Exercise :

Directions: Find out the error in each of the following sentences, if any. If
there is no error, the answer is d.

1. She behaved in a cowardly manner (a)/ before the headmaster (b)/ and
hesitated to do the work. (c)/ No error (d)
2. The girl refused (a)/ not to (b)/ return the articles. (c)/ No error (d)
3. The real important thing (a)/ of our life is our livelihood (b)/ which discriminates
us from animals. (c)/ No error (d)
4. She is too much beautiful (a)/ so most of the boys (b)/ run after her and want to
influence her. (c)/ No error (d)
5. The taxi driver who had come (a)/ to receive us at (b)/ the airport was speaking
fluently French. (c)/ No error (d)
6. The observers feel that (a)/ the stronger team has to face defeat (b)/ because
the players dont play whole hearted. (c)/ No error (d)
7. Although he is usually (a)/ rude with everyone, (b)/ he behaved nice with all of
us today. (c)/ No error (d)
8. He ran so fastly (a)/ that he reached first and (b)/ realised that he had (c)/ not
earned anything substantial. (d)/ No error (e)
9. In spite of toiling (a)/ very hardly he (b)/ realised that he had not earned
anything substantial. (c)/ No error (d)
10. We were very much (a)/ carefully in our approach (b)/ and hence we would
complete the complicated task. (c) No error (d)

Answers..

1. d; No error
2. b; Omit the word not
3. a; Replace real with really
4. a; Replace too much with very
5. c; Replace fluently French with French fluently
6. c; Replace whole-hearted with whole-heartedly
7. c; Replace nice with nicely
8. a; Replace fastly with fast
9. b; Replace hardly with hard
10. b; Replace carefully with careful

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Noun
Words are divided into different kinds or classes according to the work they do in a
sentence. These kinds or classes are known as Parts of Speech. They are eight in
number:
1. Noun
2. Pronoun
3. Verb
4. Adjective
5. Adverb
6. Preposition
7. Conjunction
8. Interjection.
What is noun?
Noun is a word used to name a person, place or thing.
For example:
Rama was an epic king.

Kinds of Noun
1. Common Noun
A common noun is a name given in common to every person or thing of the same
class or kind. For example;
I write with a pen.
The student asked me a few questions.

2. Proper Noun
A proper noun is the name of a particular person or place.
For example:
Ramu is a wise fellow.
Patna lacks basic civic amenities.

Rule: Proper nouns are always written with a capital letter at the beginning.
Incorrect: Earlier the capital of india was in calcutta.
Correct: Earlier the capital of India was in Calcutta.

Rule: Proper nouns are sometimes used as common nouns.

Incorrect: LK Advani is today regarded as Sardar
Patel of India.
Correct: LK Advani is today regarded as the Sardar Patel of India.
Rule: In this case proper nouns are always preceded by articles.
She is a Lata Mangeshkar.
Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India.

3. Collective Noun
A Collective noun is the name of a group of persons or things. For example army,
committee, crowd, fleet, flock, herd, jury, mob, parliament, team.

Rule: A collective noun usually takes a singular verb and is substituted by a singular
pronoun.
Incorrect: The jury were unanimous in their opinion.
Correct: The jury was unanimous in its opinion.

Rule: A collective noun takes a plural verb and is substituted by a plural pronoun
when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of net behaving as a single
unit
Incorrect: The jury was divided in its opinions.
Correct: The jury were divided in their opinions.

4. Abstract Noun
An abstract noun is usually the name of a quality, action or state considered apart
from the object ( which is usually a common noun and often qualified by an
adjective) to which it belongs. For example:
Innocence is integral to a child.
Love knows no bound.

5. Material Noun
A material noun is the name of a material ( matter from which a thing is made). For
example:
Cotton is the source of natural fibre.
Milk constitutes a nutritious food.

Rule: A material noun does not take an article (a, an, the) before it.
Incorrect: The tobacco is a cash crop.
Correct: Tobacco is a cash crop.

Rule: It takes articles when treated as common nouns.

Incorrect: They offered me glass of water.
Correct: They offered me a glass of water.
Numbers
Numbers are of two kinds-
(1) Singular Number
(2) Plural Number
Generally while changing singular noun to plural we add s, es in the end.
For example
cow-cows
chair-chairs
school-schools
Mango-Mangoes
On the surface some nouns appear to be singular but in meaning they are treated
as plural.
For example,
cattle, clergy, people, children, police, poultry
Incorrect: The peasantry has always stood as rockstars for the development of a
country.
Correct: The peasantry have always stood as rockstars for the development of a
country.
Some nouns look like plural but are always used as singular. For example,
Subjects - Mathematics, economics, physics, ethics, politics, classics.

Rule: When these subjects denote qualities or property, they are used in plural
sense. For example,
Incorrect: His mathematics is weak.
Correct: His mathematics are weak.
Diseases - Rickets, AIDS, diabetes, mumps, measles. Some other nouns - News,
gallows, summons, innings.
Some nouns are plural in form and in meaning, normally they are instruments or
dress articles which have two parts and make a kind of pair. Do not use a/an before
these nouns.
For example,
Spectacles, tongs, scissors, pincers, bellows, trousers, drawers, breaches, pants,
knickers, pantaloons.
Certain other nouns - caves, riches (valuables), alms, funds, proceeds (profit),
annals (record).
Incorrect : I bought a trousers yesterday.
Correct :I bought a pair of trousers yesterday.
Some nouns are always singular and used as singular only. For example Poetry,
information, machinery, dust, furniture, dirt, traffic, money, music. Some nouns
have one meaning in singular form and another in plural.

Quiz based on above concepts :

1. When he returned (a)/ from America, he informed me (b)/ that he had come here
(c)/ to do urgent work. (d)/ No error (e)
2. I do my best (a)/ but I dont understand (b)/ why I do not get expected (c)/
marks in the examination. (d)/ No error (e)
3. The pretty woman (a)/ sitting in the car (b)/ is the daughter of one of (c)/ the
headman of the village. (d)/ No error (e)
4. You will not be (a)/ allowed to go (b)/ anywhere else to (c)/ play outdoor games.
(d)/ No error (e)
5. The beautiful surrounding (a)/ of the palace (b)/ attracted a large number of (c)/
tourists coming from abroad. (d)/ No error (e)
6. He did not know (a)/ that the headquarter (b)/ of the army (c)/ was in Delhi. (d)/
No error (e)
7. Liberalisation of economy (a)/ has given birth to (b)/ many uncommon (c)/
phenomenon in the society.(d)/ No error (e)
8. Thousand of young (a)/ protesters were standing (b)/ at Jantar Mantar and (c)/
supporting Anna Hazare. (d)/ No error (e)
9. It is very difficult (a)/ to chase (b)/ a huge score in the (c)/ fourth inning. (d)/ No
error (e)
 10. He gave me (a)/ a five-rupees note (b)/ and asked me to get (c)/ him a few
cigarettes. (d)/ No error (e)

1. e; No error
2. e; No error
3. d; Replace headman with headmen
4. e; No error
5. a; Replace surrounding with surroundings
6. b; Replace headquarter with headquarters
7. d; Replace phenomenon with phenomena
8. a; Replace thousand with thousands
9. d; Replace inning with innings
10. b; Replace rupees with rupee

PRONOUNS
Personal Pronoun
A pronoun is a word used instead of a Noun.
(I, we, you, he, she, it, they) are called personal pronouns because they stand for the three
persons.

(i) The person speaking

(ii) The person spoken to, and
(iii) The person spoken of.

You is both singular and Plural.

Nominative case Objective case Possessive case

(Subjective) (Accusative) (Genitive)

First Person I me my, mine,

we us our, ours
Second Person you you your, yours

Third person he him his

she her her, hers
it it its
they them their, theirs

Pronouns are used so that our language is not cumbersome with the same nouns being repeated
over and over in a paragraph.

Subject Pronoun: (Subjective case)

(I, we, you, he, she, it, they)

Example: She is at work.

She is main subject of the sentence, hence in the sentence, She is the subjective personal
pronoun.
 Objective pronoun (objective case)
Example: He will meet us later.
Us is the objective personal pronoun, as it is the object of the verb meet.

Possessive pronoun (possessive case)

Example: That is our clubhouse.

Our shows the possession of the object clubhouse.

Gender

Example: He went to the market.

He is used for male gender.
Other examples (his, him, he etc.)

Example: She is doing the laundry.

she is used for female gender.
(Her, hers, etc.)

Example: It is important to them.

It is gender neutral as it shows an object,

Them is also gender neutral as Them can consists of both genders.

Others gender neutral pronouns are - (Their, they, its.)

Number
Singular Pronoun where the pronoun is only referring to one specific Noun.
Example: That book belongs to me.

Plural Pronoun where the pronoun is used to refer to a number of nouns.

Example: That is Their book, not yours.

REFLEXIVE PRONOUN

They are object pronouns that we use when the subject and the object are the same Noun.

Example: I told myself not to bet all my money on one horse.

Example: The robber hurt himself chasing me through the alley.

Reflexive pronouns are those which are used to indicate a noun which has been used in an earlier
part of the same sentence.
(myself, themselves, yourself, ourselves, herself, himself, itself.)

Example: She blamed herself for the accident.

He is himself today.
 EMPHATIC/INTENSIVE PRONOUN

These pronouns are used to emphasize a Noun or pronoun.

(myself, himself, herself, themselves, itself, yourself, yourselves and ourselves.)

Example: He himself is his worst critic.

These pronouns act as appositives of nouns or pronouns for the sake of emphasis,

Example: You yourself wrote those words.

This request came from the employee themselves.

They themselves know that the Prank was in bad taste.

Avoid reporting things that you yourself havent witnessed.

DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN

Demonstrative pronouns are used to show or identify one or a number of nouns that may be far
or near in distance or time.

They are only four in number (This, that, these, those)

This, that Singular demonstrative pronoun
These, those Plural demonstrative pronouns.

Example: That is a beautiful house.

They can also be used to show an unspecified quantity in a sentence.

Example: These were made by me.

(These is showing an unspecified quantity of something that was made by a person.)

Example: Everyone remembers those days.

(Those is showing a particular time or period of days in the past, it is being used in place of a noun
that could be school, summer, college etc.)

Example: This is what he is charging.

This is used as pronoun in place of a number.

These pronouns point out someone or something.

They are identical in form to demonstrative adjective/determiners.

The difference is that

A demonstrative pronoun stands alone (because it is a substitute for a noun or noun phrase)

But a demonstrative adjective is accompanied by the noun it modifies.

Example: She gave me this gift.

(This demonstrative adjective)

I like this.
(This demonstrative pronoun)

(More example of demonstrative pronoun)

These are my children.
That is a good idea.
The streets of Delhi are more crowded than those of Mumbai.

INDEFINITE PRONOUN

These pronouns do stand for some person or thing, but we dont know for exactly whom.

When we say, somebody stole my watch.

(We dont know to whom the word somebody refers to. The word somebody is an indefinite
pronoun.

Example: One should speak the truth.

Somebody immediately called the doctor.
Anybody can solve this problem.
Nobody was present.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Do good to others.

(Few, all, some, none, everything- indefinite pronouns)

DISTRIBUTIVE PRONOUN

These Pronouns refer to individual elements in a group or a pair, one individual at a time.

Example: Each of the boys gets a prize.

Either of these roads leads to the railway station.
Either of you can go.
Neither of the accusations is true.
You may bring any of your friends
None of our students failed last year.

Each, either, neither are called distributive pronouns because they refer to persons or things, one
at a time.

Each used to denote every one of a number of persons or things taken singly.

Either means the one or the other of two.

Neither means not the one nor the other of two.
It is negative of either.

Either and Neither should be used only in speaking of two persons or things.

When more than two are spoken of (Any, No one, and none) should be used.
 RECIPROCAL PRONOUN

Each and one really belong to the subject, Other and another are objects, but Each other and one
another have become compound pronouns, (and are called reciprocal pronouns) and are rarely
separated even by a preposition)

Example: The brothers quarreled with each other.

They all gave evidence against one another.
Jamie and Jack always sit beside each other in break.

They havent seen one another since last year.

RELATIVE PRONOUN

These pronouns are used to connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun.

These are: who, whom, which, whoever, whomever, whose, whichever and that.

Example: The driver who Ran the stop sign was careless.

Which and that are generally used for objects.

Who and whom are used for people and whose is used to show possession.

Example: she will choose the color which looks good on everyone

She is complaining to whoever she comes across nowadays.

There is a car in the parking lot that someone has painted a bright pink.

Is there anyone here whose mobile phone has a signal?

I met Hari who had just returned.
I have found the pen which I lost.
There is the book That you lent me.

INTERROGATIVE

Who, whom, which and what are interrogative pronouns as they are used to ask questions about a
person or object that we do not know about.

Compounds of these words are made by attaching (ever) to the words to strengthen the emphasis
on the word.

Example: which one would you like?

What is your Name?
Who will be managing the bullet?
Whom did you tell about this?
Whoever could have done this?
Whichever one will you choose?
Who is always the subject of the verb.
Whom is never the subject of the verb.
It is object of the verb.
It is used to show the person to or for whom the action is being done.

Example: whom were you meeting with?

Article :

The words "A" or "An" and "The" are called Articles. They come before nouns.
There are two Articles - "A (or An)" and "The".
"A" or "An" is called the Indefinite Article, because it usually leaves indefinite the
person or thing spoken of; as, A Ground, A Cow
Indefinite (Not Sure) : If you are talking about some random thing or person, then
you use Indefinite Article. In the above example, 'A Cow' means a random cow.
Similarly 'A Ground' means any random ground and no one can be sure which we
are talking about.

"The" is called the Definite Article, because it normally points out some particular
person or thing.
For example, The Cow, The Ground.
Definite Article (a particular thing or person) : If we say 'The' before any noun, it
means we are talking about a prticular thing or person. In the above example 'The
Cow' means a particular cow. Similarly 'The Ground' means a particular ground.

Use of the indefinite article

Incorrect : There are 365 days in the year.

Every year has 365 days and it is not about the particular year.
Correct : There are 365 days in an year.

Indefinite articles can also be used in a sense of each, every or per.

The doctor said Take the pill twice a day.

Use of the definite article

Incorrect : He has been causing trouble since a day he came.

In the above example, the statement is about a particular day therefore 'the' will be
used
Correct : He has been causing trouble since the day he came.

When a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class.

The Elephant is a huge animal.

So based on above concept, below is the quiz : In the below quiz, try to
find the errors related to Articles.

1. As soon as the teacher (a)/ entered everyone (b)/ in the class fell (c)/ in a silence.
(d)/ No error (e)

2. On my request (a)/ Lalit introduced me (b)/ to his friend who (c)/ is singer and a
scientist.(d)/ No error(e)

3. To perform this (a)/ experiment drop (b)/ little sugar into a glass of water (c)/ and
see the change.(d)/ No error (e)

4. Even now when I (a)/ see the spot (b)/ I am reminded of an unique accident (c)/
that took place several years ago.(d)/ No error (e)

5. With little (a)/ imagination and enterprise the tournament (b)/ could have been
transformed (c)/ into a major attraction.(d)/ No error(e)

6. Page after page (a)/ of Gita were read (b)/ and it gave great (c)/ consolation to his
mind.(d) No error (e)

7. One should (a)/ be true to ones promises (b)/ in order to earn (c)/ name & fame
in the life.(d) No error (e)

8. The robbers were (a)/ caught just as they (b)/ were about to escape (c)/ from the
jail.(d)/ No error(e)

9. The man is mortal (a)/ and ultimately he has to leave (b)/ everything here yet
how irrationally (c)/ he remains attached to his worldly possessions.(d)/ No error(e)

10. In a mountaineering (a)/ expedition higher you (b)/ go from the base (c)/ camp
the colder you feel.(d)/ No error (e)

Answers

1. (d)
Omit 'a' before "silence" as it is uncountable noun.
2. (d)
It should be "A singer and scientist"
3. (c)
Put 'a" before "little".
4. (c)
Replace "an" with "a".
5. (a)
Put "a" before "little"
6. (b)
Put "the" before "Gita" as it is the name of a religious text.
7. (d)
Omit "the" before "Life"
8. (d)
Omit "the" before "jail" as it has been used for primary purpose.
9. (a)
Omit "the" before "man".
10. (b)
Put "the" before "higher" as it is a comparative.

Conjunctions

errors, sentence improvements, and cloze test.

Conjunction

A conjunction is a word which merely joins together sentences or clauses, and sometimes words.
1. That is a beautiful place and I have been there.
2. That is the beautiful place where I have been to.

Classes of Conjunctions
Conjunctions are divided into two classes: 1) Co-ordinating and 2) Sub-ordinating.
1. Co-ordinating conjunction :
It joins together clauses of equal ranks. For eg. He is slow, but he is sure.
2. Sub-ordinating conjunction :
It joins together clauses in which one is dependent on the other. For eg. Since you wish to excel
in life, you must learn English.

Some rules

Rule: Scarcely should be followed by when, not by than.

Incorrect: Scarcely had he arrived than he had to leave again.
Correct: Scarcely had he arrived when he had to leave again.

Rule : No sooner is followed by than, not by but.

Incorrect: No sooner had we reached the station but the train left.
correct: No sooner had we reached the station than the train left.
Note : "No sooner A ... than B" is very similar to "Scarcely A... when B" and has almost the
same meaning.

Rule : Do not use seldom or ever in place of seldom or never.

Incorrect: The national network seldom or ever telecasts good programmes.
Correct: The national network seldom or never telecasts good programmes.

Rule : Correlative conjunctions should be followed by the same part of speech.

Incorrect: He neither agreed to my proposal nor to his.
Correct: He agreed neither to my proposal nor to his.

Rule : Neither is followed by nor, not by or.

Incorrect: The phone neither went dead or worked properly.
Correct: The phone neither went dead nor worked properly.

Rule : The conjunction that is not used before

i) a sentence in direct narration.
ii) an interrogative adverb or interrogative pronoun in the indirect narration.
Incorrect: He said that, "it is none of my business".
Correct: He said, "It is none of my business."
Incorrect: He asked me that which was the way to the station.
Correct: He asked me which was the way to the station.

Rule : Although goes with yet or a comma (,) in the other clause.
Incorrect: Although Manohar is hardworking, but he does not get a job.
Correct: Although Manohar is hardworking, yet he does not get a job.
Note : Though/Although is used with contradictory sentences (sentences expressing opposite
views).
Incorrect: Since she was sick, she attended the party.
Correct: Though she was sick, she attended the party.

Rule : Nothing else should be followed by but, not by than.

Incorrect: Mr Bureaucrat! This is nothing else than red-tapism.
Correct: Mr Bureaucrat! This is nothing else but red-tapism.

Rule : The correlative conjunctions indeed... but are used to emphasis the contrast between the
first and the second parts of the statement.
Incorrect: I am indeed happy with my school but it produces famous men.
Correct: I am indeed happy with my school that it produces famous men.

Rule : In a "not only ... but also ... "sentence, the verb should agree with the noun or pronoun
mentioned second, that is, the one after but also because this is the part being emphasised.
Incorrect: Not only the students but also the teacher were responsible for what happened in the
class.
Correct: Not only the students but also the teacher was responsible for what happened in the
class.

Rule : Not only ... but also always comes before the same part of speech.
Incorrect: They not only gave me standing ovation but also a cash prize of `1000.
Correct: They gave me not only standing ovation but also a cash prize of `1000.
Rule : Such...as is used to denote a category whereas such...that emphasises the degree of
something by mentioning its consequence.
Incorrect: Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action as it deems necessary.
Correct: Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action that it deems necessary.

Rule : The conjunction lest is followed by should.

Incorrect: Work hard lest you would fail.
Correct: Work hard lest you should fail.
Note: Lest is a negative word. There should be no use of not, nothing, never, no with
lest.
Incorrect: Word hard lest you should not fail.
Correct: Word hard lest you should fail.

Rule : The conjunction soas is used for comparison in a negative sentence whereasas is
used in a positive or affirmative sentence.
Incorrect: He is not as tall as his brother.
Correct: He is not so tall as his brother.

Rule : The conjunction, both is followed by and and not by as well as or along with.
Incorrect: Both the boys as well as the girls were asbent.
Correct: Both the boys and the girls were absent.

Rule : The conjunction unless denotes condition whereas until denotes time.
Incorrect: Until you work hard, you will not succeed.
Correct: Unless you work hard, you will not succeed.
Note : Unless and Until are negative words. There should be no use of not nothing,
never with unless and until.

Questions based on above concepts.

Directions: In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an
error. The error may be grammatical or idiomatic. If there is no mistake, the answer is No
error.

1. The managing director well as (a)/ the Board members was in (b)/ favour of taking strict
action (c)/ against the striking workers. (d)/ No error (e)

2. Unless he does not return (a)/ all the library books (b)/ he will not be relieved (c)/ from the
service.(d)/ No error (e)

3. You must either tell me (a)/ the whole story or (b)/, at least, the (c)/ first half of it. (d)/ No
error (e)
4. The old woman has had the (a)/ best medical facilities available (b)/ but she will not be cured
unless she does not have (c)/ a strong desire to live.(d)/ No error (e)

5. Hardly had I reached (a)/ the airport where (b)/ I learnt about the powerful (c)/ bomb
explosion.(d)/ No error (e)

6. The manager of the bank (a)/ was busy; so he asked them (b)/ to come and see him between
two to (c)/ three in the afternoon.(d)/ No error (e)

7. Because he is physically (a)/ strong, therefore he was (b)/ selected for the school (c)/ boxing
team.(d)/ No error (e)

8. Being a strict (a)/ vegetarian he depended (b)/ on milk and fruit and (c)/ had to cook for
himself.(d)/ No error (e)

9. Even though the shirt (a)/ is rather expensive but (b)/ I wish to purchase (c)/ it with my own
money.(d)/ No error (e)

10. Unless Ashish does not (a)/ return all the library books, (b)/ he will not be awarded (c)/ the
pass certificate. (d)/ No error (e)

Answers will be provided soon

1. a; Add as before well

2. a; Replace does not return with returns
3. e; No error
4. c; Replace does not have with has
5. b; Replace where with when
6. c; Replace to with and
7. b; Remove therefore
8. c; Replace and with or
9. b; Remove but
10. a; Replace unless with if

Prepositions:
A preposition is a word placed before a noun (or a pronoun) to show in what
relation the person or thing denoted by it stands to something else.

Kinds of Preposition
1) Simple Prepositions : They are the simple words used as prepositions.
For example, at, by, for, from, in, of, off,on, out, over, through, till, to, under,
up, with.
2) Compound Prepositions : They are generally formed by prefixing a
preposition (usually a = on or be = by) to a
noun, an adjective or an adverb.
For example,about, above, across, along, amidst, among, around, before,
behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside,
underneath, within, without.

3) Phrase Prepositions : When a group of words is used with the force of a

single preposition, it is known as a phrase preposition.
For example, He succeeded in spite of obstacles.
4) Participial Prepositions: When the present participle of a verb acts as a
preposition, it is known as a participle preposition.
For example, There have not been too many celebrations in recent times
barring those happened after Diwali.

Rules based on frequent asked questions

Rule : In is used with names of countries and large towns; at is more often
used when speaking of small towns and villages.
Incorrect: He lives at Germany.
Correct: He lives in Germany.

Rule : In and at are used in speaking of things at rest; to and into are used in
speaking of things in motion.
Incorrect : This week the song jumped at the top of the charts.
Correct: This week the song jumped to the top of the charts.

Rule : Till is used of time and to is used of place.

Incorrect: The office will remain open to six in the evening.
Correct: The office will remain open till six in the evening.

Rule : With often denotes the instrument used by the agent.

Incorrect: The ball was hit by the bat.
Correct: The ball was hit with the bat.

Rule : Both since and from are used before a noun denoting some point of
time. However, while since is preceded by a verb in the perfect tense, from is
used with the
non-perfect tense.
Incorrect: India has been playing Test cricket from 1932.
Correct: India has been playing Test cricket since 1932.

Rule : While since or from is used with a point of time, for is used with a
period of time.
Incorrect: The parcel has been lying here since 10 days.
Correct: The parcel has been lying here for 10 days.

Rule : Beside means by the side of while besides means in additions to.
Incorrect: He sat besides the chair.
Correct: He sat beside the chair.

Rule : Between is used for only two things or persons while among is used
for more than two.
Incorrect: You have to choose among tea and coffee.
Correct: You have to choose between tea and coffee.

Rule : Above and below merely denote position while over and under also
carry a sense of covering or movement.
Incorrect: The bird flew above the lake.
Correct: The bird flew over the lake.

Rule : During is used when we are talking about the time within which
something happens. For is used when we are talking about how long
something lasts.
Incorrect: There were few incidents of irregularity for the Emergency years.
Correct: There were few incidents of irregularity during the Emergency years.

Rule: The preposition off denotes separation, at a distance from or far

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

Rule : The word compare is followed by to when it shows that two things are
alike. It is followed by with when we look at the ways in which two things are
like and unlike each other.
Incorrect: Sanath Jayasuriya's batting may be compared with the sales of a
useful book: they score fast right from the beginning.
Correct: Sanath Jayasuriya's batting may be compared to the sales of a
useful book: they score fast right from the beginning.

Rule : When we simply speak of a thing having got better, we talk of an

improvement in it. When we compare two things, the second of which is
better than the first, we talk of an improvement on the first thing.
Incorrect: There has been an improvement on the weather.
Correct: There has been an improvement in the weather.

Rule : In means at the end of, while within means before the end of, the said
time duration.
Incorrect: We left at 5 o'clock expecting to come back in an hour and watch
the 6 o'clock movie.
Incorrect: We left at 5 o'clock expecting to come back within an hour and
watch the 6 o'clock movie.

Some important points about prepositions

1. The words superior, inferior, senior, junior etc. take the
preposition to with them.
Incorrect: Ram is senior than Mohan.
Correct: Ram is senior to Mohan.

2. The words prefer, preferrable, preferred also take the

preposition to with them.
Incorrect: I prefer tea than coffee.
Correct: I prefer tea to coffee.

3. The words inspite of and despite share the same meaning.

The only difference is that inspite takes the preposition of
whereas despite does not take any preposition.
Incorrect: Despite of bad weather, he went to school.
Correct: Despite bad weather, he went to school.
In the same way, the word consist takes the preposition of whereas
comprise does not take any preposition.
Incorrect: The classroom comprises of twenty students.
Correct: The classroom comprises twenty students.

Following questions are based on the above concepts

Directions: Choose the most appropriate preposition in each of the
following sentences.
1. The peasant refused to grovel _______ the feet of his master.
a) on
b) about
c) upon
d) at
e) None of these

2. He was killed _______ a highway man ______ a dagger.

a) by; for
b) by; with
c) in; for
d) with; for
e) None of these

3. Give an example pertinent ________ the case.

a) with
b) for
c) on
d) to
e) None of these

4. Are not these slums a disgrace ______ the civic authorities.

a) for
b) to
c) towards
d) on
e) None of these

5. Take this medicine and you will get rid _______ the bad cold.
a) from
b) over
c) at
d) of
e) None of these]

6. President Saddam Hussain has lived _______ the gun all his life.
a) with
b) for
c) by
d) on
e) None of these

7. He had to repent _______ what he had done.

a) at
b) of
c) over
d) for
e) None of these

8. The commentator seems to be enamoured _______ it.

a) with
b) over
c) for
d) on
e) None of these

9. The man died _______ fever last week.

a) with
b) from
c) of
d) by
e) None of these

10. He has not been cured _______ his disease.

a) of
b) from
c) by
d) through
e) None of these

Directions (Q.11-20). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical
error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will he in one part of the sentence. The
number of that part is the answer. If there is 'No error', the answer is 'e'.

11. I have been teaching a)/ in this school since b)/ several years but have
c)/ never met such a hopless class as this. d)/ No error e)
12. I have an a)/ appointment on the b)/ 9th of September on c)/ five
Oclock.d)/ No error e)
13. Despite of a good a)/ monsoon this year, the b)/ production of food
grains in the country c)/ did not go up.d)/ No error e)
14. Ordinarily, when in a)/ difficulty Renu prefers b)/ keeping her counsel
than c)/ running about taking advice.d)/ No error e)
15. The invitation card a)/ says that Satish b)/ marries with c)/ Sunita next
month.d)/ No error e)
16. She looked very a)/ different from the b)/ photograph I c)/ had of her.
d)/ No error e)
17. The bride said a)/ that she would not b)/ marry the man c)/ over thirty
five.d)/ No error e)
18. The reason a)/ of his failure b)/ is due to c)/ his negligence.d)/ No error
e)
19. The captain and his a)/ wife were invited b)/ for the cultural c)/ function
at my home.d)/ No error e)
20. Yesterday, while a)/ crossing the b)/ road he was run out c)/ by a
truck. d) No error e)

Answers :

1. d
2. b
3. d
4. b
5. d
6. c
7. d
8. a
9. c
10. a
11. b; Replace since with for.
12. c; Replace on with at.
13. a; Omit of
14. c; Replace than with to
15. c; Replace with with to
16. e; No error.
17. d; Replace over with above
18. b; Replace of with for
19. c; Replace for with at
20. c; Replace run out with run over

Important Rules of Prepositions

Accustomed of

He was accustomed of working hard in his youth. (used to)

Accused of

The man accused of stealing was sent to jail. (blamed of)

Acquainted with

Please introduce him to me if you are acquainted with him. (know)

Afraid of

Dont get afraid of that dog. It wont bite. (fear from)

Agree to (idea)

The president agreed to the resolution and passed it. (accept)

Agree with (person)

If you agree with me please support me. (have same opinion)

According to

He was acquitted as he was innocent according to the jury. (in the

opinion of)

Adapted to

Man easily gets adapted to new environments. (change)

Along with

The Prime Minister along with his retinue entered the hall. (together
with)

Associated with

He had long been associated with the organization before he retired.

(worked with)

Averse to

Initially people are averse to accepting their weakness, but with the
passage of time they start realizing and correcting themselves.
(unwilling to)

Believe in (faith)

I believe in God. (have faith in)

Belong to
 As this country belongs to us, we belong to this country. (have a
right over)

Clever at

She is clever at painting and playing mu sic, but I am at mu sic.

(skilled at)

Congratulate on

I congratulated her on her great success. (greeted)

Cure for

As man conquers a disease and find a cure for it, another pops up.
(remedy for)

Depend on

High rate of employment depends on growth of economy. (is related

with)

Derived from

Many English words are derived from Greek and Latin.

(came/originate from)

Details of

This new book contains de tails of her extensive journey. (description

of)

Different from

Village life is quite different from city life. (not same)

Divide into
 The property was divided into two parts and given to the two sons.
(break into)

Dream of

The henpeck husband could never dream of op pos ing his wife. (think
of) Frightened of Those frightened of obstacles never proceed ahead
for success. (having fear of)

Famous for

The city of Benaras is famous for its teeming ghats. (known for)

Good at

He is quite good at convincing people in his favour. (skilled at)

Ignorant of

Being ignorant of the consequences, thenaives easily fall into bad

habits. (not knowing)

Increase in

There has been a tremendous increase in the multi-nationals in our

country. (rise in)

Insist on

The shopkeeper could not deny when she insisted on paying later.
(said forcefully)

Interested in

Work hard if you are interested in your progress. (want to)

Lack of

Lack of money brings poverty and lack of knowledge ignorance.

(devoid of, not having)

Fond of

The mother was very fond of her youngest child. (loved/liked very
much)

Aim at

The shooter aimed at the tar get and shot accurately. (fix at the tar
get)

Laugh at

Dont laugh at those who are deprived of Gods blessings. (ridicule,

make fun of)

Listen to

Hello! Please listen to me. (lend your ear, heed, pay attention to)

Look at

What are you looking at? (see)

Look after

The nurse looked after the child better than the mother. (to take care
of, to rear)

Look for
 Have you lost anything? What are you looking for under the table. (to
search for)

Look into

I have requested the police commissioner to look into the matter of

increasing crime in our locality. (investigate, to probe, examine)