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September 27, 2016

Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 81

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  • Before long there was no one there.  (wrong)
  • Long ago there was no one there.  (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Ago' means 'counting from now'; 'before long' means 'soon'.
  • What for do you go to school ? (wrong)
  • What do you go to school for ? (correct)
  • Why do you go to school ? (correct)
    • Explanation : 'For what' (reasons) means why. As the question word moves to the beginning of a sentence, the preposition may be left behind. 
  • This book is too interesting. (wrong)
  • This book is very interesting. (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Very' is a neutral intensifier whereas 'too' suggests something excessive.
  • He behaved cowardly. (wrong)
  • He behaved in a cowardly manner.  (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Cowardly' is an adjective and cannot be used as an adverb.
  • Silas lives miserly. (wrong)
  • Silas lives in a miserly way. (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Miserly' is an adjective, the adverbial form is 'in a miserly manner'. 
  • He plays good. (wrong)
  • He plays well.  (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Good' is not used as an adverb just as 'well' is not used as an adjective. 
  • He plays good than I. (wrong)
  • He plays better than I. (correct)
    • Explanation : The comparative degree of 'well' is 'better'.
  • Hardly I have had any rest since one week. (wrong)
  • Hardly have I had any rest for a week. (correct)
    • Explanation : When a sentence begins with 'hardly', the first auxiliary of the verb follows it.
  • Really speaking it is not hot. (wrong)
  • As a matter of fact it is not hot. (correct)
  • To speak the truth it is not hot. (correct)
  • In truth it is not hot. (correct)
  • In fact it is not hot. (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Really' means 'in actual fact', and is not appropriate in this sentence. 
  • He was very kind enough to invite me. (wrong)
  • He was so kind as to invite me. (correct)
  • He was kind enough to invite me. (correct)
    • Explanation : Both 'very' and 'enough' cannot be used as the modified of the same adjective.
  • To tell in brief. (wrong)
  • In short; in brief. (correct)
    • Explanation : As 'in brief' is used to sum up what is being said, 'to tell' is superfluous. 
  • If he fails he will be nowhere.  (wrong)
  • If he fails he will get into great trouble. (correct)
  • If he fails he will be ruined. (correct)
    • Explanation : 'Nowhere' means 'not in any place' and is inappropriate here.
  • Just I had gone when he came. (wrong)
  • I had just gone when he came. (correct)
    • Explanation : As an adverb 'just' comes immediately before the main verb.
  • Never I have seen such a sight. (wrong)
  • Never have I seen such a sight. (correct)
    • Explanation : If 'never' occurs at the beginning of a sentence, it is followed by an auxiliary verb.
  • It is a very good film; I liked it on the whole. (wrong)
  • It is very good film; I liked the whole of it. (correct)
    • Explanation : 'On the whole' is used to sum up your opinion of something which is good and bad in parts. For instance, 'The photography of the film was bad but the plot was exciting. On the whole I enjoyed it'. 

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri
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