Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 25

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1.  
• Good begun is half done.  (wrong)
• Well begun is half done.  (correct)
• Explanation : 'Well' is the modifier of the verb begin here; 'good' cannot be used to modify a verb. 
2.  
• All is good that ends good. (wrong)
• All is well that ends well. (correct)
• Explanation : We need the modifier of the verb, i.e., well.
3.   
• Even without asking, she gave me many advice.  (wrong)
• Even without asking, she gave me much advice.  (correct)
• Explanation : Advice is a mass noun and needs 'much'. 'Many' occurs with countable nouns. 
4.  
• Too much salt in a dish makes it taste bitterly.  (wrong)
• Too much salt in a dish makes it taste bitter.  (correct)
• Explanation : 'Bitter' refers to the dish and not the verb 'taste'. 'Bitterly' can refer only to the verb. 
5.  
• He is used to talking much nonsense.  (wrong)
• He is used to talking such nonsense.  (correct)
  
• Explanation : Such means 'of the type previously mentioned' and can be used with nonsense. As nonsense means 'words which have no sense' it does not make sense to quantify it by much. 
6.  
• Prevention is good than cure.  (wrong)
• Prevention is better than cure.  (correct)
• Explanation : As we are comparing prevention with cure, we have to use the comparative marker. 
7.  
• The flowers smell more sweetly in the morning.  (wrong)
• The flowers smell more sweet in the morning.  (correct)
• Explanation : Sweet is the predicative adjective for flowers. 
8.  
• You are actually the tall man in the family! (wrong)
• You are actually the tallest man in the family ! (correct)
• Explanation : As we are comparing all members of the family, tallest is the appropriate adjective. 
9.  
• This is the eldest monument in the world.  (wrong)
• This is the oldest monument in the world.  (correct)
• Explanation : Eldest is used in the sense of oldest only when we compare close relatives. 
10.  
• This plan is more better.  (wrong)
• This plan is better.  (correct)
• Explanation : Better is the comparative of good and does not need another comparative marker. 
11.  
• My boss is senior than me by five years.  (wrong)
• My boss is senior to me by five years.  (correct)
• Explanation : The comparative forms senior and junior take 'to' rather than 'than'

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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