Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations (Tenses) - Part 12

sponsored links

1.  
• He is shouting since six o'clock. (wrong)
• He has been shouting since six o' clock.   (correct)
• Explanation : For something that began in the past tense and is still continuing we use the present perfect continuous tense. 
2.  
• His enemy were able to overcome him. (wrong)
• His enemy was able to overcome him.  (correct)
• Explanation : Since the subject is singular the verb must be singular. 
3.  
• The surface of the table is feeling very soft.  (wrong)
• The surface of the table feels very soft.   (correct)
• Explanation : 'Feels' indicates the state of affairs but 'is feeling' refers to what is going on at present. The situation demands a simple present tense. Usually verbs of perception are not used in the continuous form. 
4.  
• A new edition of this book is printing.  (wrong)
  
• A new edition of this book is being printed.   (correct)
• Explanation : The book is the object of printing and demands the passive form of the continuous  tense. 
5.  
• If I shall go to the city, I shall bring you a box of chacolates.  (wrong)
• If I go to the city, I shall bring you a box of chacolates.   (correct)
• Explanation : In a conditional clause, the future tense form is never used, even if the intended action refers to the future. 
6.  
• Do you know to play badminton ? (wrong)
• Do you know how to play badminton ?  (correct)
• Explanation : If we want to know whether one plays badminton, we actually want to know how he plays it. 
7.  
• Which fruit you like most ? (wrong)
• Which fruit do you like the most ?  (correct)
• Explanation : In a question sentence we need an appropriate form of the auxiliary 'do' if there is no auxiliary available to move it to the left of the subject. 
8.  
• I order for a cold drink.  (wrong)
• I ordered for a cold drink.  (correct)
• Explanation : If I am reporting what I did, I must say 'ordered', If I am ordering now, I simply say, "I want a cold drink".
9.  
• Rita denied that she had not suffered a lot. (wrong)
• Rita denied that she had suffered a lot.   (correct)
• Explanation : Denied indicates the negative of what is in the embedded clause. 
10.  
• I have to give a test for admission. (wrong)
• I have to take a test for admission.  (correct)
• Our teacher will take a test tomorrow.  (wrong)
• Our teacher will give a test tomorrow.  (correct)
• Explanation : The person who appears at the test takes the test, the person who administers the test, gives the test.

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

 sponsored links