SPOTTING THE ERRORS
Spotting errors is a common test and forms a part of almost all the important competitive examinations like AFCAT, CDS, NDA etc that have objective English test on their syllabi.
It requires an awareness of the basic rules of grammar and for this we have collected some very basic but important English grammar rules that are expected to come in your coming NDA written exam.
IMPORTANT GRAMMAR RULES TO SOLVE SPOTTING THE ERRORS
- Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.
Examples:
Either he or I are to blame for this. ×
Either he or I am to blame for this. √
My aunt or my uncle are arriving by train today. ×
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today. √
Neither Amir nor Komal are available. ×
Neither Amir nor Komal is available. √
- The expression the number/the bunch etc is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number/a bunch etc is followed by a plural verb.
Examples:
The bunch of keys are missing. ×
The bunch of keys is missing. √
A number of people has written in about this subject. ×
A number of people have written in about this subject. √
- The expression Tell to is incorrect.
Example:
The monitor tells to the class that there is no test today. ×
The monitor tells the class that there is no test today. √
- Though is followed by yet and not by but.
Examples:
Though he is poor but he is honest. ×
Though he is poor yet he is honest. √
Though Komal is beautiful but she is not confident. ×
Though Komal is beautiful yet she is not confident. √
- The adverb hard means a lot or with great energy and determination. In contrast, the adverb hardly means almost never or almost not at all.
Examples:
He blowed my face hardly. ×
He blowed my face very hard. √
These men are working hardly. ×
These men are working hard. √
The boy is sad because he has hard grown. ×
The boy is sad because he has hardly grown. √
- Until expresses time. It has a negative sense and thus not should never be used with it.
Example:
Wait here until I do not return. ×
Wait here until I return. √
- Singular form is used after the expression neither.
Example:
Neither of you have finished your work. ×
Neither of you has finished your work. √
- Any is used in negative or interrogative sentences. Some is used in affirmative (positive) sentences to express quantity or degree.
Examples:
I have some friends ? √
Have you got any friends ? √
- We use into to talk about the movement of something. We use in to talk about where something is in relation to a larger area around it.
Examples:
I have left my keys into the car. ×
I have left my keys in the car. √
Kiran came in the room. ×
Kiran came into the room. √
The above explained english grammar rules for NDA written examination is helpful for not only NDA aspirants but also other competitive exams aspirants like AFCAT, CDS etc.
