Common Errors in English Usage for Competitive Exams with Explanations - Part 11

sponsored links

Friends, here is the 11th set of Common Errors in English Usage with explanations (Articles). From tomorrow's lesson, we shall see some common errors in Tenses. Happy Reading :)

1.  
• My uncle has been made honorary member.  (wrong)
• My uncle has been made an honorary member.   (correct)
• Explanation : Member is a countable noun and needs an indefinite article. Since the consonant (h) is not pronounced, the word honorable begins with a vowel sound and needs an.
2.  
• French live in France.  (wrong)
• Explanation : The French live in France.   (correct)
• The generic expression 'French' (people of France) must be preceded by 'the'.
3.  
• This is best dress available.  (wrong)
• This is the best dress available.   (correct)
  
• Explanation : The superlative expression 'best' is preceded by 'the'.
4.  
• She is a honest student.  (wrong)
• She is an honest student.   (correct)
• Explanation : Since (h) is not pronounced, the word honest begins with a vowel and needs 'an'.
5.  
• The man is a social animal.  (wrong)
• Man is a social animal.  (correct)
• Explanation : When man (singular) refers to human beings in general, it does not need a definite article. The man refers to 'a group or person in authority'.
6.  
• Rich should help poor. (wrong)
• The rich should help the poor.   (correct)
• Explanation : When an adjective is used as a noun, it becomes a generic expression and needs  'the'.
7.  
• The man is mortal. (wrong)
• Man is mortal.   (correct)
• Explanation : As in (5) 
8.  
• We wanted a M.A. in English for this job.  (wrong)
• We wanted an M.A. in English for this job.   (correct)
• Explanation : As the initial sound of M (em) is a vowel, we use 'an' before M.A.
9.  
• It is a interesting serial.  (wrong)
• It is an interesting serial.   (correct)
• Explanation : Interesting begins with a vowel sound and needs 'an'.
10.  
• He is man of small words.  (wrong)
• He is a man of few words.   (correct)
• Explanation : We are talking about a specific man (and not man in general), hence we used 'a'.
11.  
• We are studying the German.  (wrong)
• We are studying German.   (correct)
• Explanation : When we use German as a specific language, it becomes a proper name and needs no article. 
12.  
• Where there is a life there is a hope.  (wrong)
• Where there is life there is hope.   (correct)
• Explanation : Life in general is a mass noun and needs no article. 
13.  
• Why are you making such noise ? (wrong)
• Why are you making such a noise ?  (correct)
• Explanation : Noise, as a countable noun, needs an indefinite article. When used as a mass noun (in the sense of random fluctuation of sound) it needs no definite article. 
14.  
• One must always speak truth.  (wrong)
• One must always speak the truth.   (correct)
• Explanation : Truth, when used as a mass, needs no article; it means the quality of being true. When it is used in the sense of 'that which is true or real', we say the truth. 
15.  
• We reached airport on time.  (wrong)
• We reached the airport on time.   (correct)
• Explanation : As we are talking about a definite airport, we need 'the' before it. 

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

 sponsored links