Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 48

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1.  
• You are fairer than me. (wrong)
• You are fairer than I.  (correct)
• Explanation : The complete sentence would read 'You are fairer than I am'.
2.  
• He is twenty years old, isn't it ? (wrong)
• He is twenty years old, isn't he ?  (correct)
• Explanation : In the second part of the sentence, the object of the verb is 'he', not 'it'.
3.   
• Rita, having finished her paper, she left the examination hall.  (wrong)
  
• Rita, having finished her paper, left the examination hall.   (correct)
• Explanation : This is an example of a pronoun used where it is not required. 
4.  
• He has read almost each book of the college library. (wrong)
• He has read almost every book of the college library.   (correct)
• Explanation : Each is a determiner which is used to refer to every one of the two or more things and cannot be used with almost. 
5.  
• Every one of the two pencils is missing.  (wrong)
• Each one of the two pencils is missing.   (correct)
• Explanation : 'Each' is used when each one (of two or more) is taken separately one by one. 
• 'Every' is always used for more than two things, in a group or set. But both 'each' and 'every ' are invariably singular. e.g., 'Every (each) one of the nine apples was rotten'. 
6.  
• He is suffering from a strong cold.  (wrong)
• He is suffering from a bad cold.   (correct)
• Explanation : Also a 'bad  headache', a 'bad stomach'. 
7.  
• You must secure at least passable marks.  (wrong)
• You must secure at least pass marks.   (correct)
• Explanation : The word 'passable' has different meaning altogether - it means 'tolerably good'. For marks sufficient to pass an examination, we must say 'pass marks', not 'passing marks', which is however, another common error. 
8.  
• I am forty years.  (wrong)
• I am forty years old.   (correct)
• Explanation : Either drop the word 'years' and simply say 'I am forty', or use the complete expression, 'I am forty years old', or 'I am forty years of age'. 
9.  
• He brought me milk, butter and honey, the later being Indian.  (wrong)
• He brought me milk, butter and honey, the last being Indian.   (correct)
• Explanation : 'Latter' is used only where two things are mentioned. 
10.  
• This feat was marvelous well performed.  (wrong)
• This feat was marvelously well performed.    (correct)
• Explanation : Do not use an adjective to qualify an adverb. 
11.  
• This car is superior than that.  (wrong)
• This car is superior to that.   (correct)
• Explanation : Always use the preposition 'to' after 'superior' or 'inferior'. Similarly say 'preferable to', not 'preferable than'.

You can check the Old Posts of this Series from here

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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