noun Flashcards
1.Daniel come to judgement!
- Correct: A Daniel come to judgement! It is true that Daniel is a proper noun. Proper nouns do not take articles before them. But in the above usage, Daniel has become a common noun which means a wise judge. The judge here is not named Daniel but shares the characteristics epitomised by Daniel. This is what Shylock says in The Merchant of Venice when he feels Dr. Balthazar (who is actually Portia) is passing a judgement that would be favourable to him: A Daniel come to judgement! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge! how I do honour thee!
2.The army have been called to carry out the rescueoperations.
2.When we think of the army, what strikes our mind is the soldiers. So, we tend to use plural verb have. In fact, however, the army is a group of soldiers. Obviously, then the verb should be singular. Correct: The army has been called to carry out rescue operations.
3.The parliament is divided on the bill.
3.Since the parliament is divided, it is not being thought of as a whole, but in terms of its constituents. Hence, use the plural verb. Correct: The parliament are divided on the bill.
4.Do not pride on your youngness because one day youshall grow old.
4.The abstract noun from adjective young is not youngness, but youth. Correct: Do not pride on your youth because….
5.Keep on laughing. Laugh is the best medicine.
5.Laugh is generally used for the sound or manner of laughing. So, Ratan might have a hissing laugh and Kali might have a gurgling laugh. But when we talk of the act of laughing, and that too as a generality, we use laughter. It is not person-specific best medicine, but the best for one and all. Correct: Keep on laughing. Laughter is the best medicine.
6.His brother committed a thiefhood in his house.
6.The abstract noun from common noun thief is theft, not thiefhood. Correct: His brother committed a theft in his house.
7.The chair is made of a wood.
7.Wood is a material noun. A material noun does not take an article before it. Delete a. Correct: The chair is made of wood.
8.He wears glass to aid his short-sighted eyes.
8.The given sentence suggests that merely glass the material is being worn. However, what the writer intends is spectacles made of glass. So, use glasses. Correct: He wears glasses to aid his short-sighted eyes.
9.Lata works as a she-servant in the house.
9.Servant may be used as a noun of the common gender. However, if it is necessary to make a gender distinction, the feminine is maid-servant (not she-servant) and the masculine man-servant. Correct: Lata works as a maid-servant in the house.
10.The team camped at Namkum. They followed arigorous routine.
10.Team, like army, is a collective noun. Collective nouns are of the neuter gender and in the singular number. So, replace they by it. Correct: The team …. It followed a rigorous routine.
11.While experimenting on the guinea pig, the doctortook his special care.
11.Do you go to the extent of finding out which sex the guinea pig belongs to? Grammar has a way out. It treats lower animals in the neuter gender. So, Correct:While experimenting on the guinea pig, the doctor took its special care.
12.Time passes in its chariot majestically.
12.Here time is being personified. We are talking of Time the king who is the possessor of a chariot and invested with majesty. So, Correct: Time passes in his chariot majestically.
13.The Earth treats us as his children, not strangers.
13.The earth is being treated as a person. Upto that extent the sentence is correct. But whenever you personify something, you are confronted with another question: is the person a male or a female? Now, convention has it that the Earth is the Mother, the female, while the Sky is the father, the male. And the convention is logical enough. We are more in touch with our mother. We are more in touch with the Earth. Correct: The Earth treats us as her children, not strangers.
14.When the moon comes between the earth and thesun, her shadow causes solar eclipse.
14.The moon also, when personified, is treated as a female whereas the sun is considered to be a male. But, in the given sentence, the moon is a scientific object, not a person. So, the neuter gender should be used. Correct: When the moon comes between the earth and the sun, its shadow causes solar eclipse.
15.Take care of the vixen because they are wilycreatures.
15.The mistake being made here is in the use of vixen. Vixen is the feminine of fox, not its plural. So, Correct:Take care of the foxes because they are wily creatures. OR,Take care of the vixen because she is a wily creature.
16.The trees bore mangos last summer.
16.The plural of mango is mangoes, not mangos. Correct: The trees bore mangoes last summer.
17.Who shall win if there is a contest between thedwarves and the giants?
17.Though dwarf ends in f, its plural is formed by merely adding -s not by changing the ending to -ves. Correct: Who shall win … between the dwarfs and the giants?
18.Sunil Gavaskar scored more than ten thousands runs.
18.Thousand is a unit of counting. Since it is being used after a number - ten -, it will be in the singular. Correct:Sunil Gavaskar scored more than ten thousand runs.
19.He does not cut paper with blade, but with scissor.
19.How do you use scissors? Both its parts are brought into action together. So, don’t say scissor but a pair of scissors or scissors (plural). Correct: He does not cut paper with blade, but with scissors.
20.The same board is used for chess as well as draught.
20.The game is not draught but draughts. Correct: The same board is used for chess as well as draughts.
21.The Indians are a religious-minded people.
21.The sentence is correct. People usually is used as a plural. But when it means a nation, as it does here, it is used as a singular. So, … a … people.
22.It is very difficult to chase a huge score in the fourthinning.
22.Though used in the singular, innings retains its plural form. So, Correct: It is very difficult to chase a huge score in the fourth innings.
23.Children should not seek admissions to the elders’ society.
23.Admission here means the act of admitting - an abstract noun. Abstract nouns are not used in the plural. Correct: Children should not seek admission to the elders’ society.
24.The down-to-earth never forget the grounds onwhich they stand.
24.While referring to the down-to-earth, the ground obviously means the earth. Hence, it should not be used in the plural. Correct: The down-to-earth never forget the ground on which they stand.
25.The law of indexes proves very helpful in algebraic calculations.
25.The index used in algebra, when changed to plural, becomes indices. Correct: The law of indices proves very helpful in algebraic calculations.
26.The bright lamps gave much lights.
26.If one lamp gives light, do you think two lamps will give two lights? Light is not countable and so does not have a plural. When you use light for lamp itself, then the use of plural is justified. Correct: The bright lamps gave much light.
27.The practices of the lawyers vary from those of thedoctors.
27.Here we are talking of persons from different professions - lawyers and doctors. Practice thus means exercise of a profession. This meaning does not have a plural. So, Correct: The practice of the lawyers varies from that of the doctors.
28.This vehicle is a carrier of goods.
28.The sentence is correct. Goods is always used in plural when it means things to be transported.
29.I spoke to Kumar Gaurav’s the actor’s secretary.
29.Here, the actor refers to Kumar Gaurav. So the nouns are in apposition. In such cases the possessive sign is used only for the latter noun. Correct: I spoke to Kumar Gaurav the actor’s secretary.
30.He brought the cake from Deepak’s.
30.The sentence is correct. In such usages, merely the use of the possessive is sufficient to denote a building or a place of business. Deepak’s means Deepak’s shop.
31.There was no money in the bank in Maya’s andVeena’s joint account.
31.Using two possessives would imply separate accounts. But it is clearly mentioned that it is a joint account. So, the possessive must be used with the latter only. Correct:There was no money in the bank in Maya and Veena’s joint account.
32.The cup’s base was rounded.
32.The cup is not a living thing. So, it is incorrect to use the possessive sign. Correct: The base of the cup was rounded.
33.You will be promoted in the time of a year.
33.The possessive is used with nouns denoting time. So, Correct: You will be promoted in a year’s time.
34.Mr. M is ready to make any sacrifice for the sake ofjustice.
34.The phrase in use is for justice’ sake. Correct: Mr M is ready to make any sacrifice for justice’ sake.
35.Devendra Kaushik is Anand of our chess circle.
35.Devendra Kaushik is not Vishwanathan Anand. Anand here is a common noun that stands for top-notch chess players. So, Correct: Devendra Kaushik is the Anand of our chess circle.
36.The fleet of ships move at a uniform speed.
36.The fleet is a collective noun. It should be used in the singular. Correct: The fleet of ships moves at a uniform speed.
37.Aurangzeb’s religious bigotism caused severe harm tothe Mughal empire.
37.The abstract noun from bigot is bigotry, not bigotism. Correct:Aurangzeb’s religious bigotry caused severe harm to the Mughal empire.
38.The tin is a precious metal.
38.Tin is a material noun. A material noun does not take an article before it. Correct: Tin is a precious metal.
39.Queen Elizabeth is the monarchess of England.
39.Monarch does not have a feminine. It is of the common gender. Correct: Queen Elizabeth is the monarch of England.
40.The milkwoman said that she would not supply milkon holidays
40.The feminine of milkman is milkmaid, not milkwoman. Correct: The milkmaid said that she would not supply milk on holidays.
1.It is not advisable (a)/ to take heavy luggages (b)/ while on a journey. (c)/ No error (d)
1.(b) ‘Luggage’ is an uncountable noun. ‘Luggages’ should be ‘luggage’.
2.Things in nature (a)/ die a temporary deaths (b)/ only to appear again. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2015]
2.(b) ‘A’ is followed by a singular countable noun. ‘Deaths’ should be ‘death’.
- This is (a)/ Johns book (b)/ on the table. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2015]
“3.(b) To show possession an apostrophe + ‘s’ is required. Therefore, ““Johns book”” should be ‘John’s book’.”
3.I have been (a)/ invited to a party (b)/ hosted by my cousin sister. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2015]
4.(c) The word ‘cousin’ is not followed by brother or sister. ‘My cousin sister’ should be ‘my cousin’.
- One of the most (a)/ widely spread (b)/ bad habit is the use of tobacco. (c)/No error (d) [CGL (PT) 2014]
5.(c) ‘One + of’ is followed by a plural noun. ‘Bad habit’ should be ‘bad habits’.
6.In India, hill stations (a)/ usually have (b)/ beautiful sceneries. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2014]
6.(c) ‘Scenery’ is an uncountable noun. Therefore, ‘sceneries’ should be ‘scenery’.
7.A two-bedroom flat (a)/ with all furnitures (b)/ is available for sale. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
7.(b) ‘Furniture’ is an uncountable noun. Therefore, ‘furnitures’ should be ‘furniture’.
8.A parent has (a)/ much duties (b)/ towards his child. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
8.(b) A plural noun can follow many, not much. Therefore, ‘much duties’ should be ‘many duties’.
- She invited (a)/ all her daughter-in-laws (b)/ to the grand party last week. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
9.(b) The first element of a compound noun ending in ‘-law’ takes ‘-s’. Therefore, ‘daughter-in-laws’ should be daughters-in-law.
9.Some of our latest canon (a)/ that have come out of the production (b)/ line have a very long range. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2014]
10.(d) The plural of canon is canon. The sentence contains ‘no error’.
10.According to some estimates (a)/ there are (b)/seven thousand type of plants. (c)/No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
11.(c) The numeral quantitative thousand can be followed by a plural noun. Therefore, ‘type’ should be ‘types’.
11.It is (a)/ a quarter to ten (b)/ by my watch. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
12.(d) The sentence contains no error.
12.One of my friend (a)/ is returning (b)/ to India from the USA. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
13.(a) ‘One of’ is followed by a plural noun. ‘One of my friend’ should be ‘One of my friends’.
- The lawyer (a)/ has plenty (b)/ of clients. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
14.(b) In formal English, many/a number of is used.
15.In India (a)/ working woman lead a life of dual responsibilities (b)/ if they are married and have a family. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-1) 2013]
15.(b) ‘Working woman’ should be ‘working women’.
16.This stamp is only one (a)/ of the designs (b)/ ever printed. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-1 2013]
16.(d) The sentence contains no error.
- Mohans eyes (a)/ reflect a hope (b)/ for a better future in Microsoft. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-I) 2013]
17.(a) To show possession, a proper noun not ending in ‘- s’ requires an apostrophe +s. Therefore, ‘Mohans eyes’ should be ‘Mohan’s eyes’.
17.The paintings of natural sceneries (a)/ are selling (b)/ like hot cakes. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2013]
18.(a) ‘Sceneries’ should be ‘scenery’.
18.You shall get (a)/ all the informations (b)/ if you read this book carefully. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2013]
19.(b) Information is an uncountable noun. Hence, ‘informations’ should be ‘information’.
19.My friend Anu (a)/ is one of the best tennis player (b)/ in the country. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
20.(b) ‘Player’ should be ‘Players’.
20.The first inning (a)/ of the match (b)/ was very sensational. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (Main) 2013]
21.(a) The word ‘innings’ has the same form in the singular and plural. Therefore, ‘the first inning’ should be ‘the first innings’.
- On receiving the mark-sheet from the university (a)/ I realized (b)/ that I had got only passing marks in English. (c)/ No error (d) [FCI (PT) 2013]
22.(c) ‘Passing marks’ should be ‘pass marks’.
23.The porter (a)/ demanded fifty rupees (b)/ to carry my luggages. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2012]
23.(c) Luggages should be luggage.
24.My elder brother (a)/ is six (b)/ foot high. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-I) 2012]
24.(c) The numeral ‘six’ should be followed by a plural noun. ‘Foot’ should be ‘feet’. ‘High’ should be ‘tall’.
- My grandfather owns (a)/ fifty acre (b)/ of wet land. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-I) 2012]
25.(b) The numeral ‘fifty’ should be followed by a plural noun. ‘Fifty acre’ should be ‘fifty acres’.
25.It is believed (a)/ that smoking is (b)/ one of the cause of cancer. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
26.(c) ‘One of the cause’ should be ‘one of the causes’.
- Our cooker (a)/ wants an increase (b)/ in her salary. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
27.(a) The work ‘cooker’ is a cooking vessel. ‘Our cooker’ should be ‘our cook’. ‘Cook’ means the person who cooks.
28.By 8 a.m. every morning (a)/ I finish having (b)/ my lunch. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
28.(a) ‘My lunch’ should be ‘my breakfast’. ‘Lunch’ is not taken in the morning.
- The contents of the room (a)/ consisted of (b)/ a carpet and a few furnitures. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2012]
29.(c) ‘Furnitures’ should be ‘furniture’.
29.The only one (a)/ who can decide (b)/ ones destiny is God. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2012]
30.(c) To show possession or relation, an apostrophe + s is required. ‘Ones’ should be One’s.
30.We get (a)/ excellent furnitures (b)/ in this shop. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
31.(b) ‘Furnitures’ should be ‘furniture’.
- We should arrange (a)/ for a porter as (b)/ the luggages are heavy. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
32.(c) ‘Luggages’ should be ‘luggage’.
- Hari lost (a)/ a hundred-rupees note (b)/ yesterday. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
33.(b) The numeral quantitative hundred is used as an adjective in this construction. Therefore, ‘a hundred-rupees note’ should be ‘a hundred-rupee note’.
34.The furnitures (a)/ had become (b)/ old and rusty. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2011]
34.(a) ‘The furnitures’ should be ‘the furniture’.
35.I (a)/ have (b)/ many works to do. (c)/ No error (d)
35.(c) The word ‘work’ is an uncountable noun. An uncountable noun can follow the word ‘much’ not ‘many’. Therefore, ‘many works’ should be ‘much work’.
- A great many student (a)/ have been declared (b)/ successful. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-I 2011]
36.(a) ‘A great many’ should be followed by a plural noun. Therefore, ‘a great many student’ should be ‘a great many students’.
36.They are standing (a)/ at the gate of the auditorium (b)/ as there is no place inside. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2011]
37.(c) ‘No place’ should be ‘no room’.