Spotting the errors forms an important part of almost all competitive written examinations that have objective English test on their syllabi. Questions asked in the form of Spotting the Errors are from parts of speech, noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, conjunction, infinitives, form of sentence, use of articles and certain exceptional usage. We have tried to put all these important grammar lessons in this article which will help you in spring the errors.
Hence, it is important that all aspirants should learn or revise the following English grammar rules. For easy and quick learning of these grammar rules, Military Choice has given examples for each grammar rule.
IMPORTANT GRAMMAR RULES WITH EXAMPLES FOR VARIOUS COMPETITIVE EXAMS
- Some nouns always take a singular verb. (Scenery, advice, stationery, abuse, issue, mischief, mathematics, athletics, innings etc)
Examples:
The Indian team defeated Pakistan by an innings.✔️
The Indian team defeated Pakistan by innings.❌
Gajendra has sold many pieces of his furniture.✔️
Gajendra has sold many of his furnitures.❌
- Some nouns are singular in form, but they are used as plural nouns and always take a plural verb. (Cattle, vermin, clergy, police, peasantry, artillery etc)
Examples:
The cattle are grazing in the ground.✔️
The cattle is grazing in the ground.❌
- Some nouns are always used in a plural form and always take a plural verb. (Trousers, scissors, spectacles, measles, premises, annals etc)
Examples:
Where are my spectacles? ✔️
Where is my spectacle? ❌
- When some nouns that indicate length, money, weight or number, are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged in form. (Foot, pair, dozen, year, thousands etc)
Examples:
Ronaldo has ten dozen of shoes.✔️
Ronaldo has ten dozens of shoes.❌
- Collective nouns are used both as singular and plural depending on the meaning. (Jury, team, government, company etc)
Examples:
The jury gave its verdict. ✔️
The jury gave their verdict.❌
The jury were divided in this case.✔️
The jury was divided in this case.❌
- Some nouns have one meaning in the singular and another in the plural. (Air=atmosphere, airs=proud, good=wise, goods=property, force=strength, forces=army etc)
Examples:
Air is necessary for human life. ✔️
Airs are necessary for human life.❌
In army, it is unacceptable to put on airs.✔️
In army, it is unacceptable to put on air. ❌
- Lecturership is wrong, Lectureship of correct.
Examples:
Jaydeep has applied for lectureship.✔️
Jaydeep has applied for lecturership.❌
- Family members is wrong, members of the family is correct.
Examples:
Gajendra and Ajay are the members of my family.✔️
Gajendra and Ajay are my family member.❌
- English teacher is wrong, the teacher of English is correct.
Examples:
Dr. Geeta Kashyap is our teacher of English.✔️
Dr. Geeta Kashyap is our English teacher.❌
- Cousin-brother or sister is wrong, only cousin is correct.
Examples:
Sanjeev is my cousin.✔️
Sanjeev is my cousin brother.❌
- ‘Cause’ produces a result, while ’reason’ explains or justifies a cause.
Examples:
The police could not figure out what would cause the friendly woman to kill her daughter.❌
For some reason komal had always thought Ajay would adjust quickly to any lifestyle.✔️
- A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gender.
Examples:
Each of the girls must carry their own bag.❌
Each of the girls must carry her pen bag.✔️
The man, whose names have not been released, were discharged after treatment in hospital.❌
The man, whose name has not been released, was discharged after treatment in hospital.✔️
Also Read : Current Affairs — SSB Interview Material — English Study Material — AFCAT CDS NDA NCERT Notes
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Read important NCERT notes here to understand & learn GK/GS in a very easy language. If you want to score some extra marks in English section then read important idioms & phrases with hindi meaning & example here, and important one word substitute with Hindi meaning here. Important current affairs study material for AFCAT CDS NDA Written examination can be accessed here
