COMMON ERRORS
Look at the examples given below : 409. (2) furniture will replace furnitures because –
Planners need a thorough understanding of the subject. Plural of furniture is furniture (Uncountable Noun)
He searched the house thoroughly. Hence, excellent furniture is the right usage
403. (3) buying will replace buy because – 410. (3) luggage is will replace luggages are because –
a Gerund (– ing Verb) is used when a Verb comes Plural of luggage is luggage (Uncountable Noun)
after a Prep. Hence, the luggage is heavy is the right usage
Here, instead of is a Prep. Hence, Gerund will be 411. (1) It being very dark will replace being very dark
used. This is an error of Unattached subject/Participle
Look at the examples given below : A Participle must modify the Subject of the sentence.
In spite of missing the train, we arrived on time. Look at the examples given below :
̄ ̄ Having bitten the boy, the farmer killed the snake. (×)
Prep. Gerund This sentence means that it was the farmer who bit
She is good at painting. the boy and not the snake. It should be, therefore,
̄ ̄ rewritten as
Prep. Gerund The snake having bitten the boy, the farmer killed it. (ü)
Hence, instead of buying a motorcycle is the right 412. (3) does not rain will replace does not rains
usage When the Main clause has a Modal Verb (will, shall,
404. (4) No error. would) and is in Simple Future, the If clause will be
405. (2) by will replace to because – in Simple Present Tense.
abide (Verb) agrees with by (Prep.) The form is as follows :
If + Simple Present, + Simple Future
abide by something (Phr. V.) : to accept and act
according to a law, an agreement, etc. ̄ ̄ ̄
Look at the examples given below : If + it does not rain, we shall go out.
413. (2) left will replace leave because –
You’ll have to abide by the rules of the club.
We use the following expression –
We will abide by their decision.
it’s time/it’s high time + Subject + Past Verb form to
Hence, by the promise is the right usage
refer to the present moment
406. (1) is will replace are because –
Look at the examples given below :
A Singular Verb is used after everyone or every-
It is time we went home.
body
It is high time you went on a diet.
Look at the examples given below :
Hence, that we left is the right usage
Everyone wants to find out what is going on.
414. (3) Use of that is incorrect.
̄
While changing an Interrogative Sentence starting
Singular Verb (with s) with a wh–word (where, what, why), no connective
Everybody is selling the same product. is used.
̄ 415. (3) long ago will replace before long
Singular Verb 416. (2) takes over will replace overtakes.
Hence, Everyone is expected is the right usage take over : to gain control of a political party, a
407. (2) back will not be used with returned because – country, etc.
returned (Verb) means come/go back. overtake (Verb) : to go past a moving vehicle or person
Look at the examples given below : ahead of you because you are going faster than he is
Are you planning to return to India ? Hence, takes over is the right usage
In spoken English, we use go/come back 417. (2) more will replace most because –
Comparison has been made here.
Are you planning to come back to India ?
Hence, more popular than any other is the right
Hence, has returned is the right usage
usage.
408. (2) has been living will replace is living because –
418. (2) have will replace am having because –
since (Prep.) indicates a particular time or event in
have is a stative verb that usually relates to thoughts,
the past until the present, or in that period of time.
emotions, relationships, senses, states of being and
It is used with a Perfect Tense. measurements. These Verbs are not used in Contin-
Here, Present Perfect Continuous Tense will be uous Tenses.
used. Simple Tenses are used for them.
Look at the examples given below : Look at the examples given below :
We’ve been waiting here since two o"clock. She has a Mercedes. (She owns it.)
I haven’t played basketball since I left college. She is having lunch. (She is eating)
Hence, She has been living in Chennai is the right Some stative Verbs are : agree, appear, seem, be,
usage feel, see, etc.
SEE–166