80 rules of grammar and some other basic rules, Exams of Grammar and Composition

Download 80 rules of grammar and some other basic rules and more Exams Grammar and Composition in PDF only on Docsity! 80 Rules to Solve Sentence correction Problems in English -Downloaded from http://Guide4Xam.blogspot.com RULES OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR Aggreement Problems (Subject and Verb) (Rie Make a verb agree in number with its subject; make a pronoun agree in number with its antecedent. The /ist of spare parts was long. (Singular) The /ists of spare parts were long. (Plural) Singular subjects take singular verbs (list—+was), and plural subjects take plural verbs (lists—were). Even an animal has its own territory. (Singular) Even animals have their own territory. (Plural) Singular antecedents are referred to by singular pronouns (animal—its) and plural antecedents are referents of plural pronouns (animals—their). Exception: A plural verb is always required after you even when it is used in singular, referring to one per- SON, €.g: You were very helpful during my stay with you. Note: *s” added to a noun indicates the plural form but ‘s’ added to a verb indicates the third person singular. She favours the move. They favour the expansion of the school. ez Ensure the verb agrees with the true subject and not with an intervening plural object of a preposi- tion or any other intervening plural. The box of Nestle’s chocolates is missing. (Here the true subject is box and not Nestle’s chocolates. Chocolates is the object of preposition of-) His experience as teacher to boys and girls gives him understanding. The prices of the new model vary from town to town. WPF subjects joined by and are usually plural and take plural verbs. His typewriter and my radio were stolen. Sony and Sanjay are going to Chennai today. Exception (a) Ifa subject consisting of two singular nouns connected by and refers to the same person or thing, a sin- gular verb is used. My best friend and advisor has changed his mind again. Here the subject is treated as singular because both qualities are found in one person. Cornflakes and milk és our Sunday breakfast. (b) When two subjects connected by and are preceded by each, every or many a, a singular verb is used. Each man and boy is expected to meet his obligation. Every shirt, tie and coat is marked for reduction sale. (RWW Words like with, together with, along with, besides, as well as, including, in addition to, etc. do not affect the number of the verb. If the subject is singular, a singular verb is required; if plural, a plural verb. The television, along with the cabinet, is to be sold. Mrs Paul, with her son and daughter, is going to the theatre this evening. Our chief competitor, as well as ourselves, is obliged to increase prices. The decoration of the room, including the carpets and furniture, is most pleasing. (Ra215) If the subject is made up of both singular and plural words connected by or, nor, either ... or, nei- ther ... nor, not only ... but also, the verb agrees with the nearer part of the subject. Neither the quality nor the prices have changed. Neither the prices nor the guality has changed. Not only the headmaster but also the teachers are in favour of the expansion of the school. Not only the teachers but also the keadmaster is in favour of the expansion of the school. Neither the salesmen nor the buyer is in favour of the system. Neither the buyer nor the salesmen are in favour of the system. RIZE 1 the subject consists of two singular words connected by or, neither ... nor, or either ... or, the sub- ject is singular and requires a singular verb. Neither our Accounts Department nor our Head Office /as a record of the transaction. ‘Sunita or Neetu fas the swimming suit. Either October or November is a good vacation month. Neither the radio nor the television was in working order. RAF Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning, such as news, measles, mumps, physics, elee- tronics, tactics, economics and so on, usually take singular verbs. News is travelling faster than ever before. Physics has fascinated my hostelmate for months, Some nouns ending in -ics (such as athletics, statistics and politics) are considered singular, when refer- ring to an organised body of knowledge and plural when referring to individual facts, qualities or activities. Athletics provide good recreation. (i.¢. various games) Athletics is required of every student. (i.e. participation in games) Rule 3 A linking verb usually agrees with its subject, not with its complement. Excessive absences were the reason for his failure. The reason of his failure was excessive absences. Ruled Plural verbs are required for many nouns that have no singular form, such as proceeds, goods, ashes, remains, credentials, premises, etc. The proceeds of the magic show are to be given to the fund for soldiers’ welfare. The goods are being despatched today by goods train. Collective Nouns A collective noun is a word that represents a group of persons, animals or things, e.g. audi- ence, committee, company, council, army, police, society, board, department, cabinet etc. The following tules govern the form of verb to be used with a collective noun: RWI27) When the group acts as a unit, the verb should be singular. The committee has agreed to submit its report on Friday. Nobady knows the trouble [ have seen. No one is entitled to have his debts cancelled. Rule 23 A relative pronoun (who, which, that) used as a subject takes a singular or plural verb to accord with its antecedent. Measles is among the diseases that are curable. This is the only one of the local papers that prints a weekly horoscope. Troublesome Pronouns Pronouns are words used in place of a noun. Hence, a pronoun should not be used to begin a sentence; a noun must first be used and then a pronoun should be used in place of it. BF) Use of who, which and that (a) Who and that are used when referring to persons, who being used when the individual person or the individuality of a group is implied and that when a class, type or species is implied. He is the boy who understands Punjabi. She is the kind of student shat we want, (b) After adjectives of superlative degree that is used. He is the wisest man that ever lived, This is the best that we can do. (c) After two antecedents, one of which is the name of a person, and the other the name of some animal or thing, use that in place of who or which. The lady and her pet dog shat came yesterday have come again today. (d) After such words as ail, any, none, only, alone, nothing use that in place of which or who. Man is the only animal that can think. All that glitters is not gold . (e) Which is used when referring to places, objects and animals, Our Annual Report, which is long, is now ready for distribution. (RAS, The self: or selves-ending pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, them- selves) should be used as follows: (a) To emphasise a noun or pronoun already expressed. The Principal Aimself distributed the sweets. IT will write myself. The doctor himself examined the patient. (b) To reflect the action expressed by the verb back on to the subject. We have satisfied ourselves as to the wisdom of the action. He found himself the only one in favour of the move. (c) With words such as absent, apply, enjoy, present, drink, avail, exert etc. He presented himself before the manager. He absented himself from the office today. (d) But not in place of simple personal nouns. Raman and / can distribute the sweets, (not myself) The tickets are for Mr Gupta and me. (not myself) ‘Rule 26 When the indefinite pronouns (i.e. pronouns used for persons and objects in a general way), one is the subject in a sentence, it must be followed by one or one s and not his, her or him. One should keep one promise. One should do ones duty. However, if anyone, anybody, each one, everyone, someone are used, do not use one but his or her. Everyone should take care of his health. Everyone should take care of her dress. Rule 27 Same is not a pronoun and as such it should not be used in place of a noun. ‘When you have read this book, please return if to me. (not return the same to me) Take these books and return them to the library. (not return the same to library) (RMI228) Use of each other and one another: (a) Each other is used in reference to two persons. The two brothers disliked each other. (not one another) The two children quarrelled with each other. (not one another) (b) One another is used in reference to more than two. Good boys do not quarrel with one another. (not each other) RRI2A) Use of either, neither, none, any, any one: Use either or neither when referring to one out of two persons or things and when referring to one out of more than two, use amy, none, no one. Either of you two can pay for it. Neither of the two brothers has been selected. Any one of the employees can claim it. None of the students of this class has passed. Troublesome Verbs BRele30. Use were to express a condition that is contrary-to-fact, an uncertainty or a wish. I wish I were a king. (a wish) df Mr Anil were here, he would know. (contrary-to-fact) ‘We saw a streak in the material, as if the goods were faded. (uncertainty) MEST) Use of shall and will (a) To indicate mere future action, use 1 or we shall ... ‘You will ... He, she, it or they will ... I (or we) shail be glad to hear from you. You will meet him at the railway station. They (or he or she) will not find the joumey too tiring. Always say / shall unless you really mean / am willing or I am determined. We shail appreciate an early reply. If you use will here, it would mean we are determined to appreciate. (b) To indicate determination, promise, desire, choice or threat use: lor we will... You shall... He, she, it or they shall . . . J will clear the dues by the end of the week. (promise) In spite of the risk, J will go to Punjab. (determination) You shall obey me. (threat) We (or I) will report you to the police. (threat) He (or they) shail not work in my department any more. (determination) (c) In questions (i) Always use shall with / and we. Shall | meet you at the railway station? Shall | pay for it? (ii) With you, he, she, it and they, use the word that is expected in the answer: Shall he be punished? (expected answer: ‘He shall’) Will you get the report typed today? (Yes, I will’) (d) To emphasise willingness, use will in all cases. Yes, J will meet you in the evening: Yes, he will meet you in the office. (RMI2B2) Use of should and would Should and would are past tenses of shai! and will and in general express the same ideas as do shal! and will, except that should sometimes means ought. You should not speak in that way. We should respect our parents. You should visit them now. You would not enjoy that experience either. 1 would not allow such an agitation. Every day I would go jogging in the morning. Note: In first person, always use should with the words glad, pleased, like etc. Troublesome Adjectives and Adverbs Adjectives and adverbs function as modifiers; that is, they qualify or restrict the meaning of other words. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. Adverbs modify mainly verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. Rule 33° When referring to nwe persons, places or things use the comparative form; when referring to more than two, the superlative form. Rakesh is the taller of the two. (not tallest) Of the two positions open, you have chosen the more promising. (not most) That is the more efficient of the two methods. (not most) That is the most efficient method that could be devised. (not more) Today is the warmest day of the year. (not warmer) ‘Was Monday or Tuesday warmer? (not warmest) Rale 34 Some adjectives and adverbs, from their very meaning, allow no comparison; for example round, unique, square, perfect, completely, universally, correct, always, never, dead etc, Such words may be modified in meaning, however, by such adverbs as hardly, nearly or almost, in order to suggest an approach to the superlative. It is almost a square table. (not most or more) That design is very nearly unique. This plate is afmost round. Rule'33 When comparing one person or thing with a group of which it is a part, use the comparative degree and the words any other to exclude the thing compared from other objects of the same class or kind. In other words, in a comparative construction we must be sure that if A and B are compared, 4 is not included as part of B. This coffee has a better flavour than any other coffee in the market. Ludhiana is more populated than any other city in Punjab. Gold is more costly than any other metal. R236) When comparing two qualities of the same person or thing, use more and not -er to form the com- parative. Sujata is more clever than wise. (not cleverer) Rajesh is more brave than wise. (not braver) To change the preposition is to convey a different meaning from the one that the speaker intended or to convey no meaning at all. A partial list of such words with their appropriate prepositions in different con- texts is given below: with by with to upon on to for from at with for ta with on with ta with in to at for jor to to with for anything having no life anything having life a person a proposal or plan a point a course a thing a course, because of one’s nature an author a thing a person a position or for something a person to bring out similar qualities without analysing meaning to give to meaning to talk to a thing, denoting similarity meaning to write to meaning to put faith in meaning to commit to one’s keeping a person acertain place or salary a purpose an organisation a certain person debts authority a place a matter begun. a place a person a customer Important Words Followed by Suitable Prepositions For selection of the preposition to be used with different words, carefully study the following list of impor- tant words and the suitable prepositions to be used with them. This list will help you salve questions regard- ing (a) filling in the correct preposition in the blanks. (b) detection of wrong prepositions used in sentences given in, ‘Spotting Errors’. (c) sentence completion questions. Note: Prepositions are italicised a abstain from food abide dy a statement abound with living things accede fo a request accept ofa favour arbitrate: between two parties annoyed af a thing annoyed with a person account for a fact accuse of a crime acquit of blame acquiesce in decision adapt fo circumstances adhere to a plan agree fo a proposal agree with a person aim at a thing alight from a carriage answer fo a person answer for conduct appeal fo a person for a thing appeal against an order approve ofan action ascribe fo a cause ask for a thing ask from a person aspire after worldly greatness assent fo a proposal assure a person of safety avail oneself of'a chance admit fo or into a secret = bear with a person begin with the fact believe in one’s truthfulness. belong fo a person bent on going ‘bequeath a thing fo a person beset with danger bestow a thing on or upon a person betray fo the enemy betray info his hands beware of some danger blame ofan offence blame a person for something blind ro the danger blush az the sight blush for one’s conduct boast of one’s skill borrow of or from a person bring a thing ¢o light bring a thing wader notice brood over past things burden someone with a load. burst into rage buy a thing from a shop € charge a person with cheat a person of his due coincide with something else combat with difficulties commit to memory committed against the law common fo man and woman comply with a request compare something with another compensate a person for his loss call upon or on a person call at the office call for punishment catch af an opportunity caution a person against cease from quarrel(Iing compete with a person compose of metal conceal from others concur with a person concur in an opinion condole with a person conduce fo health confer favour on a person confer with a person confer about a thing confess fo a fault confide in a person conform to a rule or norm conform with one’s views congratulate a man on success convive at others’ faults consent fo some proposal consign fe destruction consist of material consist in causes and results consult with a person consult on or abour something contribute fo a fund copy from a book coverage fo a point convict a person ofa crime cope with a person. correspond with a person (to write) correspond fe something correspond abour a subject count on a thing (depend) count far nothing crave for or after happiness credit with good intentions cure a man ofa disease dash against a wall drawn on a person debar from an action defer to a man’s wishes delight in poetry deliver from a danger demur fo a statement depend on help deprive a man ofa thing desist from an attempt despair of success deter a man from action die ofa disease die from some cause differ with a person differ on a subject differ from anything differ to opinions digress from the topic dilate on a subject dip ino a river gree with a person. disapprove of anything pense with a man's service spose off property or something discharge jrom service dissent from an opinion distinguish one thing from another distinguish between two things divide between two, among many divert a person from a path divest someone of fear draw money on banks dominate over a subordinate drive ar some point drop off'a tree dwell on some matter elicit from a person embark on boardship embark in business emerge from the hiding place employ én some work encroach on others’ right endow a person with benefits marks upon a career enter into one’s plans entitle fo a property entrust a person with something envy af others’ success escape from custody excel in music exchange my things with your things exclude from the class excuse him from paying the fine exempt from duty expel from college expostulate with a person extricate from danger = fail in one’s purpose fail of success fall among rogues fall in love with someone fall into difficulties fall in with a suggestion fall from the height fall on the rival feed on milk feed with milk feel for the troubled fight against or with a person fight out the reason, finish with a programme frown upon a person fill with something fish for words. flirt with a person fly into rage furnish a person with a thing furnish a thing fo a person Gc gain on someone in competition get at the truth get on with a master get out of debt get fo a journey’s end glance af a sight glance over some writing grasp at a shadow grapple with difficulties grieve at or for an event grumble at the change guard against or from danger guess at something hanker after worldly pleasure happen af a time happen in a place happen fo a person healed of a disease hear of a news hesitate af bribing hint a¢ the solution hover aver the rest hush up a matter x ‘impress an idea on a person ‘impress a person with an idea increase in learning indict a person for a crime indulge in intoxicants. indulge himself with wine inform a man ofan event inform a person about a thing initiate a man into bribery insinuate into one's favour insist upon going inspire wirh patriotism introduce with someone introduce someone fo someone introduce info a place intrude into your garden invent in a factory invest with power invite fo a party involve a man in a crime issue from the office jest of sorrows jeer at a person join in work join with a man join fo a thing judge a person by his word jump ar an offer (readily accept) jump fo a conclusion keep from meeting keep fo a position know ofa secret lament for the dead laugh at something lay facts before someone lay a person under obligation level changes against someone listen to complaints live by labour live on small wages efor the family live within one's means look after one’s health lust afier gold make away with a thing make our the meaning marvel at one’s beauty menace with punishment merge into something larger mourn for the dead murmur af one’s fate offend against traditions operate on a patient originate in a place or thing overwhelm with goodness L part with a person partake of' some food participate with the team participate in the match persist in the denial pertain fo the answer point at an object point fo some result (a) Simple present tense is used to convey general or universal truth and habitual sentences. (b) Present continuous tense is used to convey the continuity of the action. (c) Present perfect tense is used to convey the completion of an action that has some bearing on the present. For example The earth revolves round the sun. (a universal truth) 1 always brush my teeth after the meals. (habitual) It Aas been raining for many hours. (an activity that has continued for quite some time) (RwI2GF] The past tense in the principal clause must be followed by a past tense in the subordinate or dependent clauses. 1 felt that she was a little worried. (not is) | forgot that they were coming today. (not are) I saw that the machine had stopped. (not has) | found that he was guilty, (not is) I thought that she was absent. (not is) Exceptions (a) When a universal truth is expressed in the subordinate clause, its tense is not changed. He said that the earth revolves round the sun. (not revolved) 1 told him that honesty is the best policy. (not was) Newton Anew that the earth rotates, He forgot that the earth rotates, (b) When the subordinate clause begins with than or as, any tense may be used in the subordinate clause, even if there is past tense in the principal clause: I met her more frequently than I meet you. 1 saw her oftener than I see you. She /oved you more than she loves me. He cared for you more than he cares for his brother. Problems in Conjunctions Conjunctions are words used to join words, sentences and clauses together. Note the following conjunctions: “AS Soon ... a8 Both ... and Either ... or Neither ... nor Lest ... should Not only ... but also Hardly ... before or when Though ... yet Whether ... or Scarcely ... when or before When a negative co-relative is used in the beginning of a sentence, a helping verb must be used before the subject (e.g. do, does, did, etc.) Scarcely did she hear the news when she began to cry. Not only was he accused of theft, but also of murder. No sooner did she heard the news than she wept. No sooner did the doctor came than she died. Also, note that no sooner is followed by than and not then or when; No sooner did the news reach him than he fainted. (not when or then) ‘No sooner did she see me than she started grumbling. (not when or then) Though ... yet igh... ¥ (a) (b) When though is used with a verb in the subjunctive mood (expressing doubt, a condition contrary-to- fact, a wish, a concession) it is followed by yer and not by bur; Though he might not have recognised me, ver it is rude of him. Though she disallowed me, yer I will go to her. When though is used with a verb in an indicative mood (expressing a fact or making a statement) a comma is used in place of yet. Though he is my relation, | shall not spare him. Though he is known to me, | shall not favour him. Miscellaneous Rules RSH When, while, after, till, before: When these words are used in the subordinate clause with refer- ence to some future event, they are not followed by a verb in the future tense. Before the rain would stop, they would have reached home. (incorrect) Before the rain stops, they would have reached home. (correct) When you will come to me, we will go to Ludhiana. (incorrect) When you come to me, we will go to Ludhiana. (correct) Ruleg7 Until/unless: Mistakes are generally committed in using these words. Until means time before and unless shows condition and means if not, I cannot solve it unless you tell me its method. Until she was informed officially, she had no idea about the plans. (RABGH) Doub: that/doubt whether: Doubt that is used in negative sentences and doubt whether in positive sentences; I do not doubt that he will succeed. I doubt whether the news is true. I doubt whether our country is really free. We do not doubt that he will be fully cured. Need/Needs: As a regular verb, need means require. In the present tense, with third person singu- lar, when followed by a negative, the final s is not added. He need not worry. (negative not is followed) He needs to be worried. (negative not is not followed) However, regular forms should not be confused He dare not do it again. (i.e. does not have courage) She dare not come to me. (i.¢. does not have courage to come to me) However, if it is not followed by a negative word (not) or used in the sense of challenge, s is to be added. She dare not to disobey me. but She dares to disobey me. (a challenge) She dares to insult me. (a challenge) It should, however, not be confused when used as a normal verb: I dare, he dares, she dares, they dare, we dare, Sunita dares Rate70. Since/from/for: Both since and from imply a point of time (definite time, day, date ete.) and for implies period of time. {a) {b) (c) Since indicates point of time with present perfect or perfect continuous tense. Front indicates point of time with all other tenses. For indicates period of time with present perfect or perfect continuous tense. For example: I have done nothing since yesterday. She has been ill since last Friday. She will go to school from today. He commenced work from 30th January. I have not seen him for a long time. WME As long as/vhile/until: As long as and while are used to express the duration of an action, where- as unzil is used to express the time before an action takes place (see also Rule 65). As long as you remain in the office, you will get no rest. (not wari?) Wait here wil I come. (not as long as) While | am sitting here, you can work on it. (not as Jong as or until) RAZ On/over: On suggests contact with something ; over suggests a higher position without actual con- tact. Keep this book on the table. Place this cup on the table. Keep the umbrella over your head. WRIBFE You, he/she, I: When pronouns having different persons are used, the second person (you) should come first, then the third person (he or she) and last of all the first person (I). ‘You, he and I should try to visit Sri Lanka. (not /, you and he) It is between you and me. (not me and you) ZA Who and whom: To determine correct usage of who or whom cover the beginning of the sentence, including who or whom and read what is left, inserting Ae or him. If he sounds right use who; if him sounds right use whom. It was he whom we chose to be our captain. (We chose him to be captain; so use whom) It was he who we thought would win the prize. (We thought 4e would win the prize; so use wha) Raers Prepositions are not required after such words as: attack, accompany, discuss, emphasize, fear, join, request, resist, pervade, precede, violate, reach, shirk, resemble, recommend, etc. They attacked the enemy. (not on the enemy) She resembles her mother. (not with or to her mother) [have ordered the book. (not for the book) One should not fear death, (not from death) You can request him. (not request fo) FE Do not use shat with words like how, whether, why, what, where, when, whom, whose, which, etc. Nothing can be said that when he is expected to arrive. (incorrect) Nothing can be said when he is expected to arrive. (correct) He could not explain that why he was late. (incorrect) He could not explain why he was late. (correct) It is difficult to say that whether he will succeed. (incorrect) It is difficult to say whether he will succeed. (correct) In the above sentences that is not required. However, as fo can be used. For example: He could not explain as to why he was late. E77 Due to/caused by: Due to and caused by introduce adjective phrases and should modify nouns. These words must be properly related to some noun or pronoun and should not be used to begin a sentence, Her success is due to her hard work, (modifies success) His failure was caused by his laziness. (modifies failure)