Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 65

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• Everyone is frightened when they see a tiger.  (wrong)
• Everyone is frightened when he sees a tiger.  (correct)
• Explanation : 'Every' is a singular word, which when attached to a singular man like 'one' refers to all individual members of a group. So, it will take a singular pronoun. 
• None of us have seen him. (wrong)
  
• None of us has seen him.  (correct)
• Explanation : 'None' is a singular word, therefore it will take a singular verb. 
• My books are better than my friend.  (wrong)
• My books are better than those of my friend.  (correct)
• Explanation : When comparing two things in a sentence, use 'that of', 'these of', 'those of'. 
• One should work hard.  (wrong)
• A man / boy should work hard.  (correct)
• Explanation : One is used to refer to the speaker or any person in general and should be avoided in specific contexts. 
• Here is my cup; please fill. (wrong)
• Here is my cup; please fill it. (correct)
• Explanation : All transitive verbs, including 'fill', must have an object. 
• I asked for my pencil, but he did not give me.  (wrong)
• I asked for my pencil, but he did not give it to me.  (correct)
• Explanation : Some transitive verbs, e.g., 'give' and 'lend', must have two objects to have a complete sentence. 
• The master tested the boy if he could read English. (wrong)
• The master tested whether the boy could read English. (correct)
• Explanation : The object of 'tested' is not 'boy' but the whole beginning with whether clause.
• I shall see the brakes whether they work well. (wrong)
• I shall see whether the brakes work well. (correct)
• Explanation : The object of 'see' is not 'brakes' but the whole clause. 
• People starves when he has no money. (wrong)
• People starve when they have no money. (correct)
• Explanation : Note that 'every', 'none', 'much', 'person' are singular words; 'all', 'some', 'most', 'many' and 'people' are plural. It is a very common mistake to use pronouns and possessive adjectives in the wrong number referring to any of the above-mentioned words. 
• The size of the shoe should be the same as this shoe.  (wrong)
• The size of the shoe should be the same as that of this shoe. (correct)
• Explanation : In such comparative sentences we must be careful to compare the same part of two things. 'That of', 'these of' and 'those of' are necessary words often omitted. 'His teaching was like Buddha' is a very common mistake; 'that of Buddha' must be written. 
• These all mangoes are ripe. (wrong)
• All these mangoes are ripe. (correct)
• Explanation : Predetermines, e.g., all, precedes Determines, e.g., these, in English.

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Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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