SENTENCE CORRECTION

Tips and Tricks

Proper written English often differs
from spoken English, the correct
answer will not always be the one
that sounds the best to you. You
cannot rely on your ear alone; you
must become familiar with the
grammar rules of written English.
• Sentence Correction questions contain discrete,
identifiable errors. Be on the lookout for sentences
containing two or three errors. Just because an
answer choice corrects one error in the sentence
doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right choice. The best
answer will correct all errors in the original sentence.
• Sentence Correction answer choices are variations of
the correct answer. Incorrect answers will almost
always be identifiable as such. Even if an answer
choice sounds strange, don't rush to eliminate it unless
you can find a definite error.
THREE-STEP METHOD TO SENTENCE
CORRECTION QUESTIONS:
• Read the entire sentence. Do not simply read the underlined part of
the sentence, because context may be important in determining
the correct answer. Choice (A) will always be a copy of the original
underlined part of the sentence. If you cannot find any errors,
grammatical or otherwise, in the original sentence, choose (A) and
move on.

Don't worry about spelling, capitalization, or punctuation; they are

not covered in Sentence Correction questions. If you do find an
error in the underlined portion, or if you're not 100% sure, proceed to
step two.
• Look for clues indicating which grammar rule the question is
testing. These grammar rules and clues will be covered in more
detail in the next section.

Keep an eye out for the following issues:

Agreement: Look for pronouns, verbs, and nouns — do they agree?
Modifiers: Look for introductory phrases set off by a comma — is the
modifier used correctly?
Parallels: Look for commas separating words in a list as well as
expressions such as "not only...but also"; "both...and"; "either...or";
"neither...nor" — is everything parallel?
• Look for the answer choice that preserves the
meaning of the original sentence and fixes its
errors without creating any new ones. Eliminate
answer choices with grammatical errors.
 EIGHT ERROR TYPES
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
2. Pronoun Agreement
3. Modifiers
4. Parallelism
5. Comparisons
6. Redundancy
7. Error of Participles
8. Verb Time Sequences
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
• Singular subjects must be paired with singular verbs, and
plural subjects with plural verbs. Agreement allows us to
show who's doing what in a sentence by indicating which
parts of the sentence go together.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
• Singular verbs generally have an "s" at the end.
Plural verbs do not. Nouns are the opposite:

John (singular noun) walks (singular verb)

Cars (plural noun) drive (plural verb)

Pronouns must match as well.

He walks
They drive
 POLL QUESTION
• The boy, among many friends, celebrate his birthday in lavish style.

a. having been celebrated

b. is celebrated
c. celebrates
d. celebrate
e. is celebrate
 POLL QUESTION
• The boy, among many friends, celebrate his birthday in lavish style.

a. having been celebrated

b. is celebrated
c. celebrates
d. celebrate
e. is celebrate
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
In the sentence below, the accompanying phrase his
grandmother and his parents only provides extra
information and does not alter the grammatical
relationship between the subject child and the
verb is.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Take a look at the following sentence and decide which
one is correct.
Frank, accompanied by his students, (were / was) at the
studio.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
To simplify the task of comparing the newly-identified
subject and its governing verb, we'll next erase the
crossed-out clause. We're left with the following:
 POLL QUESTION

• The teenager, along with her classmates, object to the

school's use of uniforms beginning next year.
A.The teenager, along with her classmates, objects
B. The teenager along with her classmates objects
C.The teenager along with her classmates, objects
D.The teenager along with her classmates object
 POLL QUESTION

• The teenager, along with her classmates, object to the

school's use of uniforms beginning next year.
A.The teenager, along with her classmates, objects
B. The teenager along with her classmates objects
C.The teenager along with her classmates, objects
D.The teenager along with her classmates object
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Prepositional Phrases
Many modifying phrases will begin with a preposition: like, as,
in, of, to, between, etc.
The goal of the architects are to create the most stunning
and functional building in the city.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
If the plural noun architects is the subject, then the plural
verb are is correct. But if the singular noun goal is the
subject, then the plural noun are is incorrect: we would
need the singular verb is instead.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
If the plural noun architects is the subject, then the plural
verb are is correct. But if the singular noun goal is the
subject, then the plural noun are is incorrect: we would
need the singular verb is instead.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Once the filler phrase is crossed out, we can see that the
plural verb are is not correct, because goal, a singular
noun, is the subject of the sentence. The correct verb is
the singular verb is:
 POLL QUESTION
• According to industry analysts, the recent growth in the number of hybrid motor
vehicles in major metropolitan areas are likely to accelerate in the future.

A. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are

B. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
C. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
D. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
E. hybrid motor vehicles’ numbers in major metropolitan areas are
 POLL QUESTION
• According to industry analysts, the recent growth in the number of hybrid motor
vehicles in major metropolitan areas are likely to accelerate in the future.

A. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are

B. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
C. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
D. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
E. hybrid motor vehicles’ numbers in major metropolitan areas are
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Adjectival Clauses
Just like prepositional phrases, adjectival clauses add
extra information to a sentence, which means that their
contents cannot affect noun-verb agreement in the
main part of the sentence.

The book that I bought for my students (tell / tells) the

story of a Russian immigrant's experience in the United
States.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
The portion of the sentence we're concerned with
contains two verbs in addition to there being three
possible subjects: two nouns and one pronoun.
The book that I bought for my students (tell / tells) the
story of a Russian immigrant's experience in the United
States.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

How do you know which noun is the subject and which

verb is the main verb? First, cross out for my students since
it is a prepositional phrase:
The book that I bought for my students (tells / tell) the
story of a Russian immigrant's experience in the United
States.
Next, cross out any groups of words beginning with the
pronoun that:
The book that I bought (tells / tell) the story of a Russian
immigrant's experience in the United States.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Here, we are left with just one noun and one verb after
crossing out the prepositional phrase and the adjectival
clause:

Now that we've isolated the main clause subject and

verb, we can solve the agreement problem. Since the
subject, book, is singular, we need the singular verb tells.
 POLL QUESTION
• Autocratic styles of leadership frequently annoys the people who must work under
such leaders.

a. frequented annoying
b. frequent annoy
c. frequently annoy
d. frequent annoys
e. frequently annoys
 POLL QUESTION
• Autocratic styles of leadership frequently annoys the people who must work under
such leaders.

a. frequented annoying
b. frequent annoy
c. frequently annoy
d. frequent annoys
• frequently annoys
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Collective nouns, such as family, majority, audience,
and committee, are singular when they act in a collective
fashion or represent one group.
List of Common Collective Nouns
army clergy government
audience council jury
band (musical) crowd majority
board (political) department minority
cabinet (political) enemy public
choir group school
class herd senate
committee faculty society
company family
corporation team
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
In the sentence below we are presented with the
noun majority.

The majority of shareholders likely contains several

shareholders; however, they are only spoken of as a
group, not as individuals. There is no indication that the
sentence is referring to the individuals within the majority
– even though it comprises several people,
the majority acts as one – as a singular entity.
Therefore majority requires a singular verb, wants.
 POLL QUESTION
Anyone who chooses to be part of our coalition to
defend homeless people are required to sign several
documents.
A) people are required to sign
B) people is required to sign
C) person is required to sign
D) people are required, signing
E) people is required, signing
 POLL QUESTION
Anyone who chooses to be part of our coalition to
defend homeless people are required to sign several
documents.
A) people are required to sign
B) people is required to sign
C) person is required to sign
D) people are required, signing
E) people is required, signing
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Forthe sake of contrast, let's take a look at a collective noun that
requires a plural verb:
Collective nouns are plural when the members of the collective
body act as individuals.

The sentence above describes the fighting that occurs between

the individual members of the team. Because team refers to
several individual members in this case, it is a plural noun, and
therefore requires the plural verb are as a result.
 POLL QUESTION
• Although the basketball team used their star players, the match was lost.

• a. Although the basketball team used their star players

• b. Although the star players were used by the basketball team

• c. The basketball team used its star players, although

• d. Although the basketball team used its star players

• e. The basketball team used their star players

 POLL QUESTION
• Although the basketball team used their star players, the match was lost.

• a. Although the basketball team used their star players

• b. Although the star players were used by the basketball team

• c. The basketball team used its star players, although

• d. Although the basketball team used its star players

• e. The basketball team used their star players

 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Basic rules for compound subjects:
• Phrases or words separated by "and" are plural;
• Phrases separated by "or" or "nor" are singular.

In this example, we see a list of three names. Because these names –

Ted, John, I – are separated by the word and, the plural form of the verb is
used. The subject is plural because it refers to more than one person (place,
thing, or event), and plural subjects require plural verbs.
 POLL QUESTION
• John and Susan runs to the finish line as fast as possible.

a. are run
b. runs to the finish line
c. run to the finish line

d. having run to the finish line

e. running to the finish line

 POLL QUESTION
• John and Susan runs to the finish line as fast as possible.

a. are run
b. runs to the finish line
c. run to the finish line

d. having run to the finish line

e. running to the finish line

 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Pronouns
A. The following pronouns are always singular:
anyone everything something
anybody whatever no one
anything whoever/whomever nobody
everyone someone nothing
everybody somebody

Many of the words in this category can be broken down in a way that illustrates their
singular nature:
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
B. The following pronouns are always plural:
both many several
few others

C. The following indefinite pronouns could be either singular or plural

depending on context: none
some most
any all

For the pronouns in list C, you can't depend on memorization to tell you
whether you need a singular or plural verb. Instead, you need to figure
it out from the context. Eg.:
• Some of the bananas are brown.
• Some of the banana is brown.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Both sentences are correct. In the first sentence, some refers
to several distinct objects:

If we have ten bananas, then some of the

bananas means many individual bananas. In the second
sentence, some refers to part of one object:

One part of one banana is brown. In this

sentence, some means one part (of a banana), which is
singular.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
The general rule applies:

This trick works for the following pronouns: some, all, any,
and most. These pronouns will almost always be followed by a
noun or by the prepositional phrase “of + noun”: some of the
dogs, most of the cake, any of the individuals, etc. In either case,
you can use the flowchart above to determine which verb to use.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
The same principle applies even if the verb comes before the
pronoun in the sentence. This often happens with the
pronoun any.

The number of the noun determines the number of the

verb. If a singular noun follows the pronoun, use a
singular verb. If a plural noun follows the pronoun, use
a plural verb.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
The pronoun none follows slightly different rules. Consider these
sentences, all of which are grammatically correct:

• None of the ice cream was left over.

• None of my friends are going to a play tonight.
• None of the inmates was given a fair trial.

Unlike agreement for the pronouns some, all, any, and most,
agreement for none is not determined by the noun following it,
but rather by context – whether the thing being spoken of is
singular or plural. You should learn to use context to determine
whether the quantity in question is singular or plural.
 POLL QUESTION
• Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
A. Each of the students have been sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
B. Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
C. Each of the students were sick last week, and so the professor cancelled the lecture.
D. Each of the students was sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
 POLL QUESTION
• Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
A. Each of the students have been sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
B. Each of the students were sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
C. Each of the students were sick last week, and so the professor cancelled the lecture.
D. Each of the students was sick last week, so the professor cancelled the lecture.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Neither and either always take singular verbs when acting as
the subject of a sentence.

Here, neither is the subject and behaves like a singular noun.

It requires the singular verb is.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

In this example, Either (or Either one) is the subject and

behaves like a singular noun. It requires the singular verb is.
 POLL QUESTION
• Neither of our school’s students nominated for the national spelling bee were able to
win the competition.

• A) Neither of our school’s students nominated for the national spelling bee were
• B) Neither of our school’s students nominated for the national spelling bee was
• C) Neither of the students from our school nominated for the national spelling bee
were
• D) Neither of the students nominated for the national spelling bee from our school
were
• E) Neither one of our school’s students who was nominated for the national spelling
bee was
 POLL QUESTION
• Neither of our school’s students nominated for the national spelling bee were able to
win the competition.

• A) Neither of our school’s students nominated for the national spelling bee were
• B) Neither of our school’s students nominated for the national spelling bee was
• C) Neither of the students from our school nominated for the national spelling bee
were
• D) Neither of the students nominated for the national spelling bee from our school
were
• E) Neither one of our school’s students who was nominated for the national spelling
bee was
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
If two subjects are joined by the correlative
pairs "Either...or" or "Neither...nor," the verb should agree with
the subject that is closer to it.

This "neither…nor" sentence contains two

subjects: supervisor and staff members. The third noun, client,
is the object. Since the latter subject, staff members, is plural,
we need the plural verb were.
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

The verb must therefore agree with the subject closest which
is the singular noun child. The proper verb form is the
singular is.
 POLL QUESTION
• We don’t yet know whom it will be, but eventually either my brother or I are
going to take over the family business.

• A) either my brother or I are going to take over the family business

• B) either my brother nor I are going to take over the family business
• C) either my brother or I will be going to take over the family business
• D) either my brother or I taking over the family business
• E) either my brother or I am going to take over the family business
 POLL QUESTION
• We don’t yet know whom it will be, but eventually either my brother or I are
going to take over the family business.

• A) either my brother or I are going to take over the family business

• B) either my brother nor I are going to take over the family business
• C) either my brother or I will be going to take over the family business
• D) either my brother or I taking over the family business
• E) either my brother or I am going to take over the family business
 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
The sentence contains two verb constructions is and can't
help plus three nouns/pronouns reasons, I, and you. The
subject is the noun that comes directly after the first
verb: There + is/are + subject. The rest of the sentence is a
subordinate clause. Since the subject, many reasons, is
plural, it takes the plural verb are.
Correct: There are many reasons why I can't help you.
The subordinate clause why I can't help you has no effect on
subject-verb agreement in the main clause. This part of the
sentence functions as a direct object.
 POLL QUESTION
• Though most people are unaware of it, there is over a hundred varieties of coffee
which grow throughout the world.
A. there are over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
B. there is over a hundred varieties of coffees that grow throughout the world.
C. there is over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
D. there are over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
 POLL QUESTION
• Though most people are unaware of it, there is over a hundred varieties of coffee
which grow throughout the world.
A. there are over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
B. there is over a hundred varieties of coffees that grow throughout the world.
C. there is over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
D. there are over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
• When replacing any noun with a pronoun, the pronoun
must match the noun it is replacing, or the antecedent.

• Also check if the pronoun is acting as the SUBJECT or

the OBJECT of the sentence or clause.

• This aspect of pronoun formation is

called case (objective/subjective/possessive).
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
X

The first two pronouns in this sentence are correct: she is the subjective
form of the her/she pronoun, and you takes the same form for the
objective and subjective cases, so it is also correct. However, he is not in
the correct form: it is acting as the object of the sentence, but it is in
the subjective form. We need the objective form of the pronoun, him.

✔
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
More examples
Incorrect: Her was better suited for the job.
Correct: She was better suited for the job.

Incorrect: John and me drank a bottle of wine.

Correct: John and I drank a bottle of wine.

Incorrect: The dinner was eaten by John and I .

Correct: The dinner was eaten by John and me.
 POLL QUESTION
It is likely that you and I will not irritate she and John as they
are very tolerant people.
A) you and I will not irritate she and John
B) you and me will not irritate she and John
C) you and I will not irritate John and her
D) you and me will not irritate John and her
E) you and myself will not irritate John and sh
 POLL QUESTION
It is likely that you and I will not irritate she and John as they
are very tolerant people.
A) you and I will not irritate she and John
B) you and me will not irritate she and John
C) you and I will not irritate John and her
D) you and me will not irritate John and her
E) you and myself will not irritate John and sh
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
If the pronoun is acting as a subject, use who. If it is acting as an
object, use whom.
To determine whether the pronoun is acting as the subject or
object of the verb, try rearranging the sentence into a question,
and then answer it. The form of the answer will tell you which
version of the pronoun to use, subjective or objective.
Question: Who/m did Kate marry?
Answer: Kate married him.
You wouldn't say "Kate married he." Since the pronoun used in
the answer is the objective "him," the pronoun in the original
sentence should also be in the objective case: whom.
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
So,
Correct: I don’t know whom Kate married.
Incorrect: I don’t know who Kate married.
Another example
Question: Who/m took out the trash?
Answer: He took out the trash.
The person taking out the trash is the subject of the sentence. You
wouldn't say "Him took out the trash," because "him" is objective.
The indefinite pronoun must be in the subjective case: Who.
So,
Correct: Who took out the trash?
Incorrect: Whom took out the trash?
 POLL QUESTION
I don’t remember whom has the most stock in the
company.
A) whom has the most stock
B) who have the most stock
C) whom have the more stock
D) who has the most stock
E) whose the most stock
 POLL QUESTION
I don’t remember whom has the most stock in the
company.
A) whom has the most stock
B) who have the most stock
C) whom have the more stock
D) who has the most stock
E) whose the most stock
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
• When a pronoun is the subject of the sentence, it must agree with
the main verb in number.
• Like nouns, singular pronouns take singular verbs and plural
pronouns take plural verbs.
When a pronoun is the subject of the sentence, you must check to
see that it agrees with the main verb in number.
➢Everyone on the project (has / have) to come to the meeting.
The pronoun "everyone" is singular.
➢Many have tried, but few people (has / have) been able to
solve the puzzle.
Many and few, both are plural pronouns, so each must have a
plural verb have.
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
Sometimes, we have a compound subject where one
subject is a noun and the other is a pronoun. In these cases,
the verb must agree in number with whichever subject is
closer to it. Consider the following sentences:
Neither he nor his bodyguards (was / were) there.
The verb must agree with the plural noun bodyguards, so
the plural verb were is correct.
Neither his bodyguards nor he (were / was) there.
The singular pronoun "he" is closer to the verb, so the verb
needs to be singular, too: "was."
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
Possessive pronouns such as yours, theirs, his, hers and its,
must agree with their antecedents in number and gender. The
antecedent for possessive pronouns is the noun or pronoun
that is doing the possessing.
Incorrect: I brought my book, and I'm glad to see that some
of you brought theirs.
Correct: I brought my book, and I'm glad to see that some of
you brought yours.
Incorrect: If anyone comes over to take your name, make
sure that you take theirs.
Correct: If anyone comes over to take your name, make sure
that you take his or hers.
 POLL QUESTION
• The loss of a parent at a young age can traumatize a person for the rest of your life.

a. for the rest of yourself's life.

b. for the rest of his or her life.
c. for the rest of your life.
d. for the rest of your living.
e. on the rest of your life.
 POLL QUESTION
• The loss of a parent at a young age can traumatize a person for the rest of your life.

a. for the rest of yourself's life.

b. for the rest of his or her life.
c. for the rest of your life.
d. for the rest of your living.
e. on the rest of your life.
 ORDER OF PRONOUN
For all good things: (231)
• You, he and I have achieved remarkable success.
• You, he and I; You and I or He and I

For all bad things : (123)

• I, you and he are responsible for the failure of the project.
• I, you and he; I and you or I and he
 PRONOUN AGREEMENT
A relative pronoun must refer to the noun or pronoun
immediately preceding it (the antecedent).
• Which introduces non-essential clauses; that introduces
essential clauses.
• Who refers to individuals; that and which refer to a group of
persons, class, type, species, or one or more things.
• Whose is used to refer to both people and things.
Incorrect: John was met at the door by a strange man, which
he, being afraid, opened slowly.
Correct: John was met by a strange man at the door, which
he opened slowly out of fear.
 POLL QUESTION
Marston was an early seventeenth-century dramatist, and it
is likely that him and Shakespeare borrowed ideas from each
other.
A) it is likely that him and Shakespeare borrowed ideas from
each other
B) they likely borrowed ideas from each other
C) him and Shakespeare likely borrowed ideas from each
other
D) it is likely that himself and Shakespeare borrowed ideas
from each other
E) it is likely that he and Shakespeare borrowed ideas from
each other
 POLL QUESTION
Marston was an early seventeenth-century dramatist, and it
is likely that him and Shakespeare borrowed ideas from each
other.
A) it is likely that him and Shakespeare borrowed ideas from
each other
B) they likely borrowed ideas from each other
C) him and Shakespeare likely borrowed ideas from each
other
D) it is likely that himself and Shakespeare borrowed ideas
from each other
E) it is likely that he and Shakespeare borrowed ideas from
each other
 PRACTICE QUESTION
. The choir sang passionately, as they moved through
elaborate and challenging four-part harmonies.
A) as they moved through elaborate and challenging four-
part harmonies
B) as they were moving through elaborate and challenging
four-part harmonies
C) moving themselves through elaborate and challenging
four-part harmonies
D) as it moved through elaborate and challenging four-part
harmonies
E) as it moved through challenging four-part harmonies
elaborately
 PRACTICE QUESTION
. The choir sang passionately, as they moved through
elaborate and challenging four-part harmonies.
A) as they moved through elaborate and challenging four-
part harmonies
B) as they were moving through elaborate and challenging
four-part harmonies
C) moving themselves through elaborate and challenging
four-part harmonies
D) as it moved through elaborate and challenging four-part
harmonies
E) as it moved through challenging four-part harmonies
elaborately
 MODIFIERS
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that restrict or provide extra
information about other words, phrases, or clauses. Adjectives (the red car,
the happy child) and adverbs (he runs quickly) are modifiers.
• Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns.
• Adverbs modify verbs or adjectives.

• Entire phrases can also be used as modifiers.

• Modifying phrases function in the same way as single-word modifiers, but
because they're often buried in an already complicated sentence, they can
be harder to spot than adjectives and adverbs.
 MODIFIERS
X

if you place an adverb (well) directly after the verb looked, then the adverb
modifies the verb. But we don't want to describe a verb — we want to
describe a noun (or pronoun), in this case a woman who just came back from
vacation.
✔
 POLL QUESTION

Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.

a) Coming upon the hills as the sun began setting begind the travelers.
b) Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
c) As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them.
d) As the sun began setting, travelers coming upon the hills.
e) Coming upon the hills, the sun set behind the travelers.
 POLL QUESTION

Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.

a) Coming upon the hills as the sun began setting begind the travelers.
b) Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
c) As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them.
d) As the sun began setting, travelers coming upon the hills.
e) Coming upon the hills, the sun set behind the travelers.
•The two common types of modifier
grammar errors are:-
•1.Misplaced Modifiers
•2. Dangling Modifiers
 MODIFIERS
Modifiers must be placed as close as possible to the word or
group of words they're modifying.

Incorrect: Finally thinking clearly, the book was able to be

understood by Rebecca.
Correct: Finally thinking clearly, Rebecca was able to understand
the book.

Misplaced modifiers won't always occur at the beginning of

sentences; any descriptive phrase or clause is a potential
misplaced modifier.
Pronouns like which, that, who, whose, whom often indicate
modifying phrases.
 MODIFIERS
Location of Modification – Misplaced Modifiers
Finally thinking clearly, the book was able to be understood
by Rebecca.
The meaning of the sentence seems clear enough: Rebecca
finally understood the book after she started thinking clearly.
But if you look closely, you'll see that the introductory phrase
actually refers to "the book," not "Rebecca":
Finally thinking clearly, the book was able ...
This construction makes it seem as if the book were thinking
clearly. This is because of misplaced modifier.
 MISPLACED MODIFIERS
• Misplaced modifiers lead to illogical sentences that are difficult to follow.

Misplaced A small book sat on the desk that Sarah had read.

The modifier: “that Sarah had read”

The Problem: This modifier is misplaced because it modifies the desk. It sounds as
if Sarah had read the desk.

Corrected: A small book that Sarah had read sat on the desk
Misplaced The professor posted the notes for the students
covered in class.

The Problem: The modifier, “covered in class,” appears to modify

“the students.” Because the students are not covered
in class, this is a misplaced modifier.

Rehabilitate The professor posted the notes covered in class for the
d: students.
 POLL QUESTION
Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.

a) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers come clearly into view across the river.
b) Comes around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
c) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
d) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers are viewed clearly across the river.
e) Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the
river
 POLL QUESTION
Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.

a) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers come clearly into view across the river.
b) Comes around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
c) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
d) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers are viewed clearly across the river.
e) Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the
river
 DANGLING MODIFIERS
• Dangling Modifiers
• occur with -ing modifiers
• Modifiers dangle when they are not logically connected to the main
part of the sentence.
o State the subject right after the dangling modifier, or
o Add the subject to the dangling phrase.
• A dangling modifier occurs when the intended subject of the modifier
is missing from the sentence, and instead another subject appears in
its place.
• Incorrect-Fumbling in her purse, the keys could not be found .
• CORRECT-
• Fumbling in her purse, she could not find the keys.
• (OR) As she fumbled in her purse, the keys could not be found.

• Recognizing dangling modifiers

• In a correct sentence, the subject (or doer) that is modified should immediately follow the
comma after the modifier. In the example below, the introductory phrase modifies Jane, the
subject of the main clause
• While driving to work, Jane witnessed a car accident on the highway.
 POLL QUESTION
• Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.

a. everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.

b. the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.
c. the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.
d. the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
e. the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.
 POLL QUESTION
• Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.

a. everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.

b. the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.
c. the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.
d. the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
e. the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.
 PARALLELISM
In a sentence having more than one verb, all of them must agree
with each other for the sentence to be correct.
X

Incorrect: He likes to swim, sail, and to dance.

Correct: He likes to swim, sail, and dance.
Correct: He likes to swim, to sail, and to dance.
 POLL QUESTION
. The teacher sought new ways of teaching, believing her students would get more
from lessons featuring playing, acting, and creativity.

a. featuring playing, acting, and creativity.

b. featuring playing, acting, and creating.

c. featuring playing, acting, and creative things.

d. featuring play, act, and creativity.
e. featuring the playing, acting, and creativity
 POLL QUESTION
. The teacher sought new ways of teaching, believing her students would get more
from lessons featuring playing, acting, and creativity.

a. featuring playing, acting, and creativity.

b. featuring playing, acting, and creating.

c. featuring playing, acting, and creative things.

d. featuring play, act, and creativity.
e. featuring the playing, acting, and creativity
 PARALLELISM
Just like verbs, adverbs and adjectives in a list must agree.
X

✔
 PARALLELISM
When you see comparison words or phrases such as "more
than," "less than," "although," "rather than," etc, check that
the things being compared are grammatically parallel.

Incorrect: The professor published more papers last year

than were published by all his colleagues combined.
Correct: The professor published more papers last year
than all his colleagues combined.
 PARALLELISM
Sometimes, you'll come across comparisons between
multiple pronouns or a noun and a pronoun. In many cases,
in order for the pronouns to be parallel, the pronouns must be
identical.
Incorrect: Those who exercise in addition to maintaining a
healthy diet are likely to be in better health than the people
who maintain a healthy diet but don't exercise.
Correct: Those who exercise in addition to maintaining a
healthy diet are likely to be in better health than those who
maintain a healthy diet but don't exercise.
 POLL QUESTION
Stretching before physical workouts is important to improve flexibility and avoiding
injury.

a. is important to improve flexibility and being injured less.

b. is important to both improve flexibility and also avoid injury.
c. is important to improve flexibility and avoid injury.
d. is important to improve flexibility and in the avoidance of injury.
• are important to improve flexibility and avoiding injury
 POLL QUESTION
• Stretching before physical workouts is important to improve flexibility and avoiding
injury.

a. is important to improve flexibility and being injured less.

b. is important to both improve flexibility and also avoid injury.
c. is important to improve flexibility and avoid injury.
d. is important to improve flexibility and in the avoidance of injury.
• are important to improve flexibility and avoiding injury
 PARALLELISM
Use the same pronoun for both elements of the comparison.
Incorrect: Those who have strong work credentials and a
college degree are more likely to be hired than one who has
only the degree.
Correct: Those who have strong work credentials and a
college degree are more likely to be hired than those who
have only the degree.
Correct: One who has strong work credentials and a college
degree is more likely to be hired than one who has only the
degree.
Be consistent: whichever pronoun you choose, use it all the
way through.
 PARALLELISM
When you use correlative pairs of conjunctions in a sentence,
make sure that the words or groups of words immediately
following each conjunction are in the same form.
Incorrect: Either I will attend the show, or they will be attending.
Correct: Either I will attend the show, or they will.
Or
Either I will be attending the show, or they will be attending.
Incorrect: The captain has assigned to the case not only all his
men, but also a private detective.
Correct: The captain has not only assigned all his men to the case,
but also hired a private detective.
 POLL QUESTION
Richard is not only a terrific pianist, but also great at playing
hockey.
A) Richard is not only a terrific pianist, but also great at playing
hockey.
B) Richard not only is a terrific pianist, but is also great at playing
hockey.
C) Not only great at playing hockey, Richard also is a terrific
pianist.
D) Richard is not only a terrific pianist, but also a great hockey
player.
E) Also great at playing hockey, Richard is a terrific pianist.
 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. His co-workers praised both his determination and the way he paid
attention to detail.
A) and the way he paid attention to detail
B) and also praised his attention to detail
C) and his attention to detail
D) they praised the way he paid attention to detail
E) also they praised his attention to detail
2. The art studio is spacious, pleasantly cluttered, and has good lighting.
A) and has good lighting
B) and being well-lit
C) and is lit well
D) and well-lit
E) and the lighting is good
 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. His co-workers praised both his determination and the way he paid
attention to detail.
A) and the way he paid attention to detail
B) and also praised his attention to detail
C) and his attention to detail
D) they praised the way he paid attention to detail
E) also they praised his attention to detail
2. The art studio is spacious, pleasantly cluttered, and has good lighting.
A) and has good lighting
B) and being well-lit
C) and is lit well
D) and well-lit
E) and the lighting is good
Ans. 1-C, 2-D
 PARALLELISM
3. The school board requested that a waiver be obtained and that the
residency requirements are reviewed.
A) that the residency requirements are reviewed
B) the residency requirements will be reviewed
C) the residency requirements reviewed
D) to review the residency requirements
E) a review of the residency requirements
4. Some of the many renovations set for Memorial Field in the coming years
include building additional seating, improving safety, and the construction of
a new varsity athletics center.
(A) and the construction of a new varsity athletics center
(B) and constructing a new varsity athletics center
(C) and also the construction of a new varsity athletics center
(D) and a new varsity athletics center
(E) and a new varsity athletics center under construction
 PARALLELISM
3. The school board requested that a waiver be obtained and that the
residency requirements are reviewed.
A) that the residency requirements are reviewed
B) the residency requirements will be reviewed
C) the residency requirements reviewed
D) to review the residency requirements
E) a review of the residency requirements
4. Some of the many renovations set for Memorial Field in the coming years
include building additional seating, improving safety, and the construction of
a new varsity athletics center.
(A) and the construction of a new varsity athletics center
(B) and constructing a new varsity athletics center
(C) and also the construction of a new varsity athletics center
(D) and a new varsity athletics center
(E) and a new varsity athletics center under construction
Ans. 3-C, 4-B
 PARALLELISM
5. The philosophical doctrine of Incompatibility posits an inherent
irreconcilability among the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state
of affairs is necessitated by the states of affairs that preceded it, and the
existence of free will.
A) among the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state of affairs is
necessitated by the states of affairs that preceded it, and the existence of free
will
B) between the doctrine of Determinism, holding each state of affairs as
necessitated by the states of affairs that preceded it, and free will existing
C) in the doctrine of Determinism, which holds the idea that each state of affairs
is necessitated by the states of affairs preceding, and the existence of free will
D) between the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state of affairs is
necessitated by the states of affairs preceding it, and the existence of free will
E) among the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state of affairs
may be necessitated by the states of affairs preceding it, and free will existing
 PARALLELISM
5. The philosophical doctrine of Incompatibility posits an inherent
irreconcilability among the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state
of affairs is necessitated by the states of affairs that preceded it, and the
existence of free will.
A) among the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state of affairs is
necessitated by the states of affairs that preceded it, and the existence of free
will
B) between the doctrine of Determinism, holding each state of affairs as
necessitated by the states of affairs that preceded it, and free will existing
C) in the doctrine of Determinism, which holds the idea that each state of affairs
is necessitated by the states of affairs preceding, and the existence of free will
D) between the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state of affairs is
necessitated by the states of affairs preceding it, and the existence of free will
E) among the doctrine of Determinism, which holds that each state of affairs
may be necessitated by the states of affairs preceding it, and free will existing
Ans. 5-D
 COMPARISONS
A comparison can be faulty in two ways:

• (1) it is not logical, or

• (2) it is not grammatical.

Correcting either type of error always requires fixing the

grammar. In other words, you may see a grammar error
without a logical error; but you will never see a logical error
without an accompanying grammar error.
 COMPARISONS
Incorrect: The view from this apartment is not nearly as
spectacular as that mountain lodge.
The sentence actually compares the view from the
apartment to the lodge itself not the view from the lodge.

Correct: The view from this apartment is not nearly as

spectacular as the one from that mountain lodge.
Correct: The view from this apartment is not nearly as
spectacular as the view from that mountain lodge.
Even though he does not like crowds, John still likes New York City more
than Sybil.
A) John still likes New York City more than Sybil
B) New York City is still liked more than Sybil by John
C) John is still liking New York City more than is Sybil
D) John still likes New York City more than Sybil does
E) New York City is still more liked by John than Sybil
 COMPARISONS
Incorrect: Shakespeare’s plays vs. any other playwright.
You have a person and his creations on one side, and just
people on the other side. You need to add the creations to
the right-hand side. There are two ways to do this:

Correct: Shakespeare’s plays vs. any other playwright’s

plays.
Correct: Shakespeare’s plays vs. those of any other
playwright.
 COMPARISONS
Incorrect: Shakespeare's plays are different from any other
playwrights of his era because they exhibit an exceptional
mastery of verse.
The phrase "those of" in this example makes it very clear that
Shakespeare's plays are being compared to other
playwrights' plays – not other playwrights.

Correct: Shakespeare's plays are different from those of any

other playwrights of his era because they exhibit an
exceptional mastery of verse.
 POLL QUESTION

Choose the correct sentence from the following

options.
a.That company is considerably richest than that one.
b.That company is considerable rich than that one.
c.That company is considerable richest than that one.
d. That company is considerably richer than that one
 POLL QUESTION

Choose the correct sentence from the following

options.
a.That company is considerably richest than that one.
b.That company is considerable rich than that one.
c.That company is considerable richest than that one.
d. That company is considerably richer than that one
 COMPARISONS
A number of comparison-specific constructions call for you to
always express ideas in parallel form.

Incorrect: Either drinking or to eat will do.

Correct: Either drinking or eating will do.

Incorrect: Neither an interest in history nor to be adept in a

foreign language is going to help you learn to sing.
Correct: Neither an interest in history nor adeptness in a
foreign language is going to help you learn to sing.
 POLL QUESTION
In his work, George Santayana is more reminiscent
of Plato's poetic narratives and Henry David Thoreau's
obsessive detailing than Bertrand Russell’s scientific
precisions.
A) In his work, George Santayana is more reminiscent
of
B) George Santayana writes more like
C) George Santayana reminds one more of
D) George Santayana's work is more reminiscent of
E) George Santayana’s work more resembles that of
 POLL QUESTION
In his work, George Santayana is more reminiscent
of Plato's poetic narratives and Henry David Thoreau's
obsessive detailing than Bertrand Russell’s scientific
precisions.
A) In his work, George Santayana is more reminiscent
of
B) George Santayana writes more like
C) George Santayana reminds one more of
D) George Santayana's work is more reminiscent of
E) George Santayana’s work more resembles that of
 REDUNDANCY
Redundancy is when you use more words than necessary to express something,
especially words and/or phrases in the same sentence that mean the same thing.
Adverbs are often the source of egregious redundancies,: “shouted loudly”,
“whispered softly”

• Examples of Sentence correction:

• 1. Please combine the three departments into one.
The correct sentence would be- please combine the three departments.
“Into one” is redundant because on combining departments we will automatically
get one
• 2. Would you please repeat again what you said.
The correct sentence would be- would you please repeat what you said.
• 3. The new innovations were startling.
The correct sentence would be- the innovations are startling.
 POLL QUESTION
Darren spent most of the day sulking alone in his room, but however he came out
once to eat dinner with his parents. No error

a. No error
b. to eat
c. most of the day
d. but however
e. spent
 POLL QUESTION
Darren spent most of the day sulking alone in his room, but however he came out
once to eat dinner with his parents. No error

a. No error
b. to eat
c. most of the day
d. but however
e. spent
 MARK ERRORS
1. The end result of her stubbornness was that she didn’t get
dessert.
2. . We assembled together in the kitchen.
3. Jasper’s twin sisters are exactly identical.
4. My mom cut the pizza into four quarters
5. . After much thought and consideration, Frances decided
to major in astronomy.
6. I hope the DJ will replay my favorite song again.
 POLL QUESTION
In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp
counselors also gave them dessert and played educational games with them. No error:

a. them
b. No error
c. also
d. the children, the
e. played
 POLL QUESTION
In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp
counselors also gave them dessert and played educational games with them. No error:

a. them
b. No error
c. also
d. the children, the
e. played
 ERROR OF PARTICIPLES
What are participles?
A participle is a word which is partly a verb and partly an adjective.

Hearing a loud noise, the boy woke up.

A common error in the use of participles
A participle is a verb-adjective. It should be related to a proper subject of reference. If the
subject is lacking or if a wrong subject is used, the whole sentence would be wrong.
• Study the following sentence:
• Having bitten the boy, the farmer killed the snake.
• This sentence means that it was the farmer who bit the boy and not the snake. It should,
therefore, be re-written as ‘The snake having bitten the boy, the farmer killed it’.
• Another example is given below:
• Driving down the road, a leopard leapt out in front of me.
• This sentence means that it was the leopard which was driving down the road. It should,
therefore, be rewritten as
• ‘As I was driving down the road, a leopard leapt out in front of me.’

Note
The doer of the participle verb should not be distanced from
it or interrupted by any other subject, noun or verb.
 VERB TIME SEQUENCE
Tenses are useful for ordering sequences of events.
Incorrect: After he finished his performance, he had gone to
the party.
This sentence has two verbs: finished (past tense) and had
gone (past perfect).
The key word “after” tells us that this is a “first, second”
ordering of two events that both happened in
the past. Because both events are completed, you need
the simple past tense for each verb: “finished his
performance and went to the party”.
Correct: After he finished his performance, he went to the
party.
 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Larry was entertained and enlightened by the scintillating
presentation.
A) was entertained and enlightened
B) entertained and was enlightened
C) entertained and enlightened
D) was entertaining and enlightened
E) will entertain and enlighten
2. Valerie recalls her college years with such nostalgia that she often lost
herself in reminiscence.
A) she often lost herself in reminiscence
B) she often had lost herself in reminiscence
C) she often loses herself in reminiscence
D) she often will be losing herself in reminiscence
E) she often will have lost herself in reminiscence
 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Larry was entertained and enlightened by the scintillating
presentation.
A) was entertained and enlightened
B) entertained and was enlightened
C) entertained and enlightened
D) was entertaining and enlightened
E) will entertain and enlighten
2. Valerie recalls her college years with such nostalgia that she often lost
herself in reminiscence.
A) she often lost herself in reminiscence
B) she often had lost herself in reminiscence
C) she often loses herself in reminiscence
D) she often will be losing herself in reminiscence
E) she often will have lost herself in reminiscence
Ans. 1- A, 2- C
 VERB TIME SEQUENCE
3. Before it will be made available to the public, the painting was sold to a
private collector and is currently on hold at the auction house awaiting pick-
up.
A) Before it will be made available to the public
B) Before it can be made available to the public
C) Before it could be made available to the public
D) Before it has been made available to the public
E) Before it was made available to the public
4. In 79 BC, when Vesuvius erupted, the Villa of the Papyri was being covered
in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved as the sole library of Antiquity.
A) was being covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved
B) was covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved
C) was covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and had been preserved
D) had been covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and is preserved
E) is covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved
 VERB TIME SEQUENCE
3. Before it will be made available to the public, the painting was sold to a
private collector and is currently on hold at the auction house awaiting pick-
up.
A) Before it will be made available to the public
B) Before it can be made available to the public
C) Before it could be made available to the public
D) Before it has been made available to the public
E) Before it was made available to the public
4. In 79 BC, when Vesuvius erupted, the Villa of the Papyri was being covered
in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved as the sole library of Antiquity.
A) was being covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved
B) was covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved
C) was covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and had been preserved
D) had been covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and is preserved
E) is covered in 90 feet of volcanic ash and was preserved
Ans. 3-C, 4-B
 VERB TIME SEQUENCE
5. n the history of life on Earth, there have been five mass extinctions;
the most recent was the K-T extinction, which occurred at the end of
the Cretaceous period and wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs, among
many other species.
A) the K-T extinction, which occurred at the end of the Cretaceous
period and wiped out
B) the K-T extinction, which had occurred at the end of the Cretaceous
period and wiped out
C) the K-T extinction, which, occurring at the end of the Cretaceous
period, had wiped out
D) the K-T extinction, which began occurring at the end of the
Cretaceous period and wiped out
E) the K-T extinction, which occurs at the end of the Cretaceous period
and wiped out
 VERB TIME SEQUENCE
5. n the history of life on Earth, there have been five mass extinctions;
the most recent was the K-T extinction, which occurred at the end of
the Cretaceous period and wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs, among
many other species.
A) the K-T extinction, which occurred at the end of the Cretaceous
period and wiped out
B) the K-T extinction, which had occurred at the end of the Cretaceous
period and wiped out
C) the K-T extinction, which, occurring at the end of the Cretaceous
period, had wiped out
D) the K-T extinction, which began occurring at the end of the
Cretaceous period and wiped out
E) the K-T extinction, which occurs at the end of the Cretaceous period
and wiped out
Ans. 5-A