Red Book of Common Error 1 Flashcards
1.✗He made a 360-degree turn in his plans.
He made a 180-degree turn in his plans.CWhen you turn 360 degrees you’ve completed a circle and are back where you started. So if you want to describe a position that’s diametrically opposed to another, the expression you want is not ‘360 degrees away’ but ‘180 degrees away.’
2.✗The budget shortfall was able to be solved by selling brownies.
The minister was able to solve the budget shortfall.CPeople are able to do things, but things are not able to be done.
3.✗I did illude to my son’s success.
I did allude to my son’s success.C’Allude’ means refer. There is no such word as ‘illude.’
4.✗Anyone of the tickets may win.
Any one of the tickets may winCWhen it means ‘anybody,’ ‘anyone’ is spelled as a single word: ‘anyone can enter the drawing competition.’ But when it means ‘any single one,’ ‘any one’ is spelled as two words: ‘any one’ of the tickets may win.
5.✗It was an anteclimax.
It was an anticlimax.CWhen an exciting build-up leads to a disappointing end, the result is an anticlimax—the opposite of a climax. The prefix ‘anti-‘ is used to indicate opposition, whereas the prefix ‘ante-‘ is used to indicate that something precedes something else; so be careful not to misspell this word as ‘anteclimax.’
6.✗His behaviour is amoral.
His behaviour is immoral.C’Amoral’ is a rather technical word meaning unrelated to morality or indifferent to morality. When you mean to denounce someone’s behaviour, call it ‘immoral.’
7.✗Enclosed is the shipment as per your order.
Enclosed is the shipment you ordered.CThe first sentence sounds very old-fashioned and pretentious. The meaning is ‘in accordance with,’ or ‘in response to the request made’, but it is better to avoid these substitutes altogether.
8.✗I would like to apprise you of its value.
I would like to appraise you of its value.CWhen you estimate the value of something, you ‘appraise’ it. When you inform people of a situation, you ‘apprise’ them of it.
9.✗The CEO had a high opinion of himself and as such expected everyone to obey his orders instantly.
The CEO was a former drill sergeant, and as such expected everyone to obey his orders instantly.CThe expression ‘as such’ has to refer to some status mentioned earlier. In this case ‘such’ refers back to ‘former drill sergeant.’ But often people only imply that which is referred to, as in ‘as such’. Here the ‘such’ cannot logically refer back to ‘opinion.’ In such a case, replace ‘as such’ with ‘therefore.’
10.✗My job is my avocation.
My job is my vocation.CYour avocation is just your hobby; don’t mix it up with your job: your vocation.
11.✗Small children should ride in the backseat.
Small children should ride in the back seat.CAlthough you will often see people writing about the ‘backseat’ of a car, the standard and still most common spelling of the noun form is as two words: ‘back seat.’ Small children should ride in the back seat. In a crisis, planning takes a back seat to immediate action. The one-word adjective ‘backseat’ is appropriate when it describes where something is. The backseat area is cramped in this model. Don’t be a backseat driver. Conservatives prefer the hyphenated spelling ‘back-seat’ for this sort of use: the back-seat area, a back-seat driver.
12.✗The lady tried to barter a pair of jeans.
The lady tried to haggle for a pair of jeans.CWhen you offer to trade your vintage jeans for a handwoven shirt, you are engaged in ‘barter’—no money is involved. One thing (or service) is traded for another. But when you offer to buy that shirt for less money than the vendor is asking, you are engaged in ‘haggling’ or ‘bargaining’, not bartering.
13.✗He bought a shirt from the bizarre.
He bought a shirt from the bazaar.CA ‘bazaar’ is a market where miscellaneous goods are sold. ‘Bizarre,’ in contrast, is an adjective meaning ‘strange,’ ‘weird.’
14.✗I have made a new blog today.
I put up a new post on my blog today.CAround the turn of the millennium, keepers of journals on the World Wide Web began to shorten the term ‘Web log’ to ‘blog,’ and referred to the activity of keeping a blog as ‘blogging.’ The common term referring to a single entry in a blog is ‘post’ (short for posting). But ‘post’ is also a verb: you post an entry to your blog. Amidst all this overlapping terminology, many confused people have begun to refer to the individual entries as ‘blogs,’ writing: ‘I made a new blog today’ when they mean ‘I put up a new post on my blog today.’
15.✗Try to boast your confidence.
Try to bolster/boost your confidence.CA bolster is a large pillow, and when you bolster something you support it as if you were propping it up with a pillow. Thus the expression is ‘bolster your confidence.’ People unfamiliar with the word sometimes say instead ‘boast your confidence.’ They may also be confusing this saying with ‘boost your confidence.’
16.✗He wrote a blatantly brilliant paper.
He told a blatant lie.CThe classic meaning of ‘blatant’ is ‘noisily conspicuous,’ but it has long been extended to any objectionable obviousness. A person engaging in blatant behaviour is usually behaving in a highly objectionable manner, being brazen. Unfortunately, many people nowadays think that ‘blatant’ simply means ‘obvious’ and use it in a positive sense, as in ‘He wrote a blatantly brilliant paper.’ Use ‘blatant’ or ‘blatantly’ only when you think the people you are talking about should be ashamed of themselves.
17.✗I have CD-ROM disc.
I have a CD-ROM.C ‘CD-ROM’ stands for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory so adding another ‘disc’ or ‘disk’ is redundant. The same goes for ‘DVD’ (from Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc—there are non-video versions). Don’t say ‘Give me that DVD disk,’ just ‘Give me that DVD.’
18.✗We were in close proximity
We were in proximity.C’Close proximity’ is a redundancy. ‘In proximity to’ means ‘close to.’
19.✗I made a concerted effort.
We made a concerted effort.COne cannot make a ‘concerted effort’ all by oneself. To work ‘in concert’ is to work together with others. One can, however, make a ‘concentrated’ effort. The prefix ‘con-‘ means ‘with.’
20.✗I cut and paste the matter.
I copy and paste the matter.CBecause ‘cut and paste’ is a familiar phrase, many people say it when they mean ‘copy and paste’ when working on a computer. This can lead to disastrous results if followed literally by an inexpert person. If you mean to tell someone to duplicate something rather than move it, say ‘copy.’ And when you are moving bits of computer information from one place to another, the safest sequence is often to copy the original, paste the copy elsewhere, and only then delete the original.
21.The dateline was Delhi, June 2, 2010.✗
The deadline was Delhi, June 2, 2010. CThe word ‘dateline’ is used today mainly to label the bit of text at the top of a printed news story that indicates where and—often, but not always—when it was written. Probably because this rather obscure word has been popularised by its use for the name of an NBC television news show, some people confuse it with ‘deadline,’ which is most often the date by which something must be accomplished. You can miss deadlines, meet deadlines, or have to deal with short deadlines—but not datelines.
22.✗When arranging the party for the boss, be sure to be discrete.
When arranging the party for the boss, be sure to be discreet.CThe more common word is ‘discreet,’ meaning ‘prudent, circumspect’: ‘When arranging the party for the boss, be sure to be discreet; we want him to be surprised.’ ‘Discrete’ means ‘separate, distinct’: ‘He arranged the guest list into two discrete groups: non-vegetarians and vegetarians.’ Note how the ‘T’ separates the two ‘Es’ in ‘discrete.’
23.✗Remember the do’s and don’t’s.
Remember the dos and don’ts.COne unusual use of apostrophes is to mark plurals of words when they are being treated as words, as in ‘pro’s and con’s,’ although plain old ‘pros and cons’ without apostrophes is fine. But ‘don’t’ already has one apostrophe in it, and adding another looks awkward in the phrase ‘do’s and don’t’s,’ so people wind up being inconsistent and writing ‘do’s and don’ts.’ This makes no logical sense. You can also skip the extra apostrophes and write ‘dos and don’ts,’ unless you’re afraid that ‘dos’ will remind your readers of MS-DOS.
24.✗I will download the video of your birthday party to YouTube.
I will upload the video of your birthday party to YouTube.CMost people do far more downloading (transferring files to their computers) than uploading (transferring files from their computers), so it’s not surprising that they often use the first word for the second word’s meaning. You don’t download the video of your birthday party to YouTube—you upload it.
25.✗I want to tell you about animals, i.e. zebras.
I want to tell you about animals, e.g. zebras.CWhen you mean ‘for example,’ use e.g. It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia. When you mean ‘that is,’ use ‘i.e.’ It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est. Either can be used to clarify a preceding statement, the first by example, the second by restating the idea more clearly or expanding upon it. Because these uses are so similar, the two abbreviations are easily confused. If you just stick with good old English ‘for example’ and ‘that is’, you won’t give anyone a chance to sneer at you. If you insist on using the abbreviation, perhaps ‘example given’ will remind you to use ‘e.g.,’ while ‘in effect’ suggests ‘i.e.’ Since e.g. indicates a partial list, it is redundant to add ‘etc.’ at the end of a list introduced by this abbreviation.
26.✗The distinguishing cuts made into an animal’s ear are its hallmarks.
The distinguishing cuts made into an animal’s ear are its earmarks.C The distinguishing cuts made into an animal’s ear are its earmarks. They work like brands to mark ownership. Originally, gold and silver articles assayed at Goldsmith’s Hall in London received a ‘Hallmark’ to certify them as genuine.
27.✗The set didn’t phase her.
The set didn’t faze her.C’Faze’ means to embarrass or disturb, but is almost always used in the negative sense. ‘Phase’ is a noun or verb that signifies a distinct period. ‘He’s just going through a difficult phase.’
28.✗He was feint of heart.
He was faint of heart.CA feint, whether in chess or on the battlefield, is a manoeuvre designed to divert the opponent’s attention from the real centre of attack. A feint is a daring move. Do not use this very specialized word in the expression ‘faint of heart’ (or ‘faint at heart’), which implies timidity.
29.✗She has a flare for writing.
She has a flair for writing.C’Flair’ is conspicuous talent: ‘She has a flair for writing.’ ‘Flare’ is either a noun meaning ‘flame’ or a verb meaning to blaze with light or to burst into anger.
30.✗She tried to flout her diamond necklace.
She tried to flaunt her diamond necklace.CTo flaunt is to show off: you flaunt your new necklace by wearing it to work. ‘Flout’ has a more negative connotation; it means to treat with contempt some rule or standard. The cliché is ‘to flout convention.’ Flaunting may be in bad taste because it’s ostentatious, but it is not a violation of standards.
31.✗He could forsee the future.
He could foresee the future.CForsee is a misspelling. The word ‘foresee’ means ‘to see into the future.’ There are lots of words with the prefix ‘fore-‘ which are future-oriented, including ‘foresight,’ ‘foretell,’ ‘forethought’ and ‘foreword,’ all of which are often misspelled by people who omit the ‘e’. Golfers shout ‘fore!’ when they are warning people ahead of them about shot as.
32.✗The use of this gadget is full proof.
The use of this gadget is foolproof.C If you want to get credit for solving a complicated mathematical problem, you will have to provide a ‘full proof.’ But if you’re referring to something that can’t go wrong you want to make it ‘foolproof.’
33.✗He wrote in the 50’s.
He wrote in the 50s.CThere’s no requirement for the apostrophe before the ‘S’ in decade names like 50s and 60s, since there are no omitted letters. The term may be written ‘’50s’ since ‘19’ is being omitted, but ’50s’ is fine too.
34.✗She is my fiancé.
She is my fiancée.CYour ‘fiancé’ is the man you plan to marry; your ‘fiancée’ is the woman you plan to marry.
35.✗I am developing a feeling about you.
I am developing feelings for you.CWhen someone says ‘I’m developing feelings for you,’ the message is ‘I’m falling in love with you.’ Feelings for are always positive feelings. In contrast, feelings about something or someone can be either positive or negative: ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this.’
36.✗He tried to garnish attention.
He tried to garner attention.CA garner was originally a granary, and to garner something is to gather it in. Today the word rarely has to do with agriculture: we garner attention, praise, awards, evidence, and sympathy. To garnish something is to decorate it. You can garnish a dish. Quite a few people use ‘garnish’ when they should be using ‘garner.’
37.✗He is hairbrained.
He is harebrained.CAlthough ‘hairbrained’ is common, the original word ‘harebrained’ means ‘silly as a hare’ (the little rabbit-like creature) and is preferred in writing.
38.✗Poverty goes hand and hand with malnutrition.
Poverty goes hand in hand with malnutrition.C’Poverty goes hand in hand with malnutrition.’ The image here is of the two subjects holding hands, one hand in the other. The phrase is very frequently misspelled ‘hand and hand,’ which is incorrect.
39.✗Friend, Happy Belated Birthday.
Friend, Belated Happy Birthday.CWhen someone has forgotten your birthday, they’re likely to send you a card reading ‘Happy Belated Birthday.’ But this is a mistake. The birthday isn’t belated; the wishes are. Better-phrased cards read ‘Belated Happy Birthday.’
40.✗He spoke on HIV virus.
He spoke on HIV.C’HIV’ stands for ‘human immunodeficiency virus,’ so adding the word ‘virus’ to the acronym creates a redundancy. ‘HIV’ is the name of the organism that is the cause of AIDS, not a name for the disease itself. A person may be HIV-positive (a test shows the person to be infected with the virus) without having yet developed AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is the cause, AIDS the result.
41.✗He don’t have no money.
He doesn’t have any money.CIn formal English, ‘don’t’ is not used in the third person singular. ‘I don’t like avocado ice cream’ is correct, and so is ‘they don’t have their passports yet’ but ‘he don’t have no money,’ though common in certain dialects, is non-standard on two counts: it should be ‘he doesn’t’ and ‘any money’. The same is true of other forms: ‘she don’t’ and ‘it don’t’ should be ‘she doesn’t’ and ‘it doesn’t’.
42.✗I am heading northbound on NH 24.
I am heading north.CIf you’re reporting on traffic conditions, it’s redundant to say ‘heading northbound on I-5.’ It’s either ‘heading north’ or ‘northbound.’
43.✗He is the hero in the film.
He is the protagonist in the film.CIn ordinary usage, ‘hero’ has two meanings: ‘leading character in a story’ and ‘brave, admirable person.’ In simple tales, the two meanings may work together, but in modern literature and film the leading character or ‘protagonist’ (a technical term common in literary criticism) may behave in a very unheroic fashion.
44.✗This is a highbred plant.
This is a hybrid plant.C’Highbred’ (often spelled ‘high-bred’) is occasionally used to label animals with superior ancestry. Snobs used to refer to members of the nobility as ‘highbred.’ But this rare word is often confused with ‘hybrid,’ which describes plants, animals, and people that are the product of mixed heritage.
45.✗He is highly looked upon.
He is highly regarded.CMany people, struggling to remember the phrase ‘highly regarded’, come up with the awkward ‘highly looked upon’ instead, which suggests that the looker is placed in a high position, looking down, when what is meant is that the looker is looking up to someone or something admirable.
46.✗I like ice tea.
I like iced tea.CIced tea is not literally made of ice, it simply is ‘iced’. It has ice put into it.
47.✗His lecture was impactful.
His lecture made an impact.CMany people in business and education like to speak of things that have an impact as being ‘impactful,’ but this term does not appear in most dictionaries. Use ‘influential’ or ‘effective’ instead.
48.✗I like this despite of its price.
I like this in spite of its price.CAlthough ‘in spite of’ is perfectly standard English, some people prefer ‘despite’ because it is shorter. Be careful not to mix the two together by saying ‘despite of’ except as part of the phrase ‘in despite of’ meaning ‘in defiance of.’ And note that unlike ‘despite,’ ‘in spite’ should always be spelled as two separate words.
49.✗He has been indited with a crime.
He has been indicted with a crime.C’Indite’ is a rare word meaning ‘to write down’. Authorities indict a person charged with a crime. This act is called an ‘indictment.’ The ‘C’ is not pronounced in these words, so that ‘indict’ sounds exactly like ‘indite,’ but don’t let that cause you to misspell them.
50.✗He is in store for a surprise on his birthday.
A surprise is in store for him on his birthday.CSome people say things like ‘he is in store for a surprise on his birthday’ when they mean he is in line for a surprise. The metaphor is not based on the image of going shopping in a store but of encountering something awaiting you—stored up for you—so the correct form would be ‘a surprise is in store for him on his birthday.’
51.✗After the earthquake everything was in tact in his house.
After the earthquake everything was intact in his house.CWhen something survives undamaged, whole, it is not ‘in tact’ but ‘intact’—one word, unbroken.
52.✗He met him in route.
He met him en route.C’En route’ is a French phrase meaning ‘on the way.’
53.✗My teacher tried to install courage in me.
My teacher tried to instill courage in me.CYou ‘install’ equipment, you ‘instill’ feelings or attitudes.
54.✗Infact this is the truth.
In fact this is the truth.C ‘In fact’ is always two words.
55.✗Irregardless of what you say I will help him.
Regardless of what you say I will help him.CRegardless of what you have heard, ‘irregardless’ is a redundancy. The suffix ‘-less’ at the end of the word already makes the word negative. It doesn’t need the negative prefix ‘ir-‘ added to make it even more negative.
56.✗My child studies in kindergarden.
My child studies in kindergarten.CThe original German spelling of the word ‘kindergarten’ is standard in English.
57.✗I saw an LCD display presentation.
I saw an LCD presentation.C’LCD’ stands for ‘liquid crystal display’, so some argue it is redundant to write ‘LCD display’ and say that you should use just ‘LCD’ or ‘LCD screen’ instead. But some others also say argue that ‘LCD display’ is the generic term for the category which comprises both LCD screens and LCD projectors. However, if you want to avoid the redundancy in wording, you can still refer more precisely to your laptop or TV as having an LCD screen. Many people confuse this abbreviation with ‘LED,’ which stands for ‘light-emitting diode’—a much earlier technology.
58.✗Let alone the details of the story, I can’t remember the title of the book we were supposed to read.
I can’t remember the title of the book we were supposed to read, let alone the details of the story.CIn sentences like these you give a lesser example of something first, followed by ‘let alone’ and then the greater example. But people often get this backwards, and put the greater example first. The same pattern is followed when the expression is ‘much less’: ‘I can’t change the oil in my car, much less tune the engine.’ The speaker can much less well tune the engine than he or she can change the oil.
59.✗Do log on to the website.
Please visit the websiteCYou log on to a website by entering your ID and password. If you are merely encouraging people to visit a site which has no such requirement, it is misleading to ask them to ‘log on’ to it. News reporters often get this wrong by reporting how many people ‘logged on’ to a particular site when they mean ‘visited.’
60.✗Multiply by double.
Multiply by 2.CIf you are talking about making a number twice as large, the expression is ‘double’ or ‘multiply by 2’: ‘double your sales to multiply your income by 2.’ You could properly say ‘increase by 100%’ to mean the same thing, but lots of people won’t understand that. And definitely do not confuse people by saying ‘multiply by double.’
61.✗The horse race was a neck in neck finish.
The horse race was a neck and neck finish.CWhen a race is very tight, it’s described not as ‘neck in neck’ but ‘neck and neck’.
62.✗I was nonplussed with the car diver.
I was nonplussed with the problem.C’Nonplussed’ means to be stuck, often in a puzzling or embarrassing way, unable to go further (‘non’ = ‘no’ + ‘plus’ = ‘further’). It does not mean, as many people seem to think, ‘calm, in control.’
63.✗He was to overlook the dinner.
He was to oversee the dinner.CWhen you oversee the preparation of dinner, you take control and manage the operation closely. But if you overlook the preparation of dinner, you forget to prepare the meal entirely.
64.✗I have a PC Computer.
I have a PC. CThe phrase ‘PC computer’ is a bit awkward and redundant since ‘PC’ stands for ‘personal computer.’
65.✗The law perse is not clear.
The law per se is not clear.CThis legal term (meaning ‘in, of, or by itself’) is a bit pretentious, but you gain little respect if you misspell ‘per se’ as a single word. Worse is the mistaken ‘per say.’
66.✗The sun revolves round its axis.
The sun rotates round its axis.CIn ordinary speech these two words are often treated as interchangeable, though it’s ‘revolving credit account’ and ‘rotating crops.’ Scientists make a sharp distinction between the two: the earth revolves (orbits) around the sun but rotates (spins) around its axis.
67.✗Can I have some scramble egg?
Can I have some scrambled eggs?CWhen you scramble eggs they become scrambled eggs.
68.✗He went scotch free.
He went scot free.CGetting away with something ‘scot free’ has nothing to do with the Scots (or Scotch). The ‘scot’ was a medieval tax; if you evaded paying it you got off scot free.
69.✗I was taken back by his sudden change in behaviour.
I was taken aback by his sudden change in behaviour.CWhen you’re startled by something, you’re taken aback by it. When you’re reminded of something from your past, you’re taken back to that time.
70.✗The spot was a good vintage point.
The spot was a good vantage point.C The spot from which you have a good view is a vantage point.
71.✗He was wrapped in thought.
He was rapt in thought.CWhen you get deeply involved in a project, you may say you’re wrapped up in it; but if you are entranced or enraptured by something, you are ‘rapt’ not ‘wrapped.’ The word means ‘carried away’ and is used in expressions, like listening with rapt attention, rapt expression, and rapt in conversation.
72.✗He spoke on ying and yang.
He spoke on yin and yang.CThe pair of female and male terms in Chinese thought consists of ‘yin and yang,’ not ‘ying and yang.
73✗The above remarks apply to all students.
The preceding remarks (or the remarks given/mentioned above) apply to all students.CAbove is not an adjective.<br></br><br></br>.Above for foregoing or preceding
74✗That aggravating boy makes me see red!
The hot weather aggravated his illness.CAggravate means ‘make worse’ and is generally used with an object.<br></br><br></br>.Aggravate for annoy
✗He parts his hair in the centre.
This is the centre of the circle.CCentre is a ‘definite point’; middle is the ‘indefinite space’ around or near the centre.
76.Climax for crisis✗This difficult and dangerous political situation marked a climax in the nation’s history.
He reached the climax of his acting career with a brilliant performance on television.CClimax is the ‘highest point’, a crisis is the ‘turning point’.
77.Consider as for consider✗Please consider me as your friend.
Please consider me your friend.CThis mistake is perhaps caused by the confusion with ‘regard’. E.g. Please regard me as your friend.
✗He is a coward man.
He is a cowardly man.CCoward is a noun, the adjective of which is cowardly.
✗He denied my offer of help.
He refused my offer of help and denied that he needed it.CDeny is to answer in the negative or to say that something is not true; refuse is to not take what is offered or to not do what one is asked to do.
80.Explain me for explain to me✗Please explain me this exercise.
Please explain this exercise to me.CThe syntax of the first sentence is incorrect.
✗Shut the window; it is fairly cold.
Shut the window; it is rather cold.CFairly and rather both mean somewhat, but ‘fairly’ is used when we wish to express a pleasant or desirable idea, and ‘rather’ when we wish to express an unpleasant or undesirable idea. E.g. The room is fairly big and I can put all my things in it. The room is rather big and I’m sure it will be draughty and uncomfortable. Notice that ‘rather’ as an understatement for ‘very’ is used with both pleasant and unpleasant ideas. E.g. You are rather clever to do this.
82.Far for a long way✗He lives far from the station.
He lives a long way from the station.CFar is used: •in interrogative and negative sentences. •in the expressions—how far, so far, too far, as far as. In other cases it is replaced by a long way.
83.Habit for custom✗Drinking tea is an English habit.
Drinking tea is an English custom.C ‘Habit’ is for individuals, ‘custom’ is for a country or society; it is a widely accepted way of behaving in a society. Habit means ‘regular tendency’.
84.Invent for discover✗Columbus invented America.
Columbus discovered America.C’Invent’ means ‘to make or design something that did not exist before’. ‘Discover’ refers ‘to the finding of a place or thing that already exists’. Therefore, the term ‘discover’ is used.
✗May I lend your umbrella? Mine is at home.
May I borrow your umbrella? Mine is at home.CLend is to ‘give temporarily to’; borrow is to ‘get temporarily from’, e.g. We borrow books from a lending library.
✗•They literally flooded the place with pamphlets and papers. •His eyes literally devoured the scene.
He translated the poem literally and did not attempt a free rendering.C Clearly, in the first two sentences, the word literally should not be used and ‘flooded’ and ‘devoured’ must not be taken literally but metaphorically, or the results will be quite absurd.
87.Materialize for happen✗Don’t worry about another war; it may never materialize.
We waited for the ghost, but it failed to materialize.CMaterialize means ‘take bodily shape’.
✗He speaks with a measure of hesitation.
I bought a pound of bananas and the greengrocer gave me a good measure.CHesitation is a quality which cannot be quantified.
✗At that time France and England had a mutual enemy in Germany.
My cousin and I enjoy the mutual benefits of a shared television set.CFowler writes, ‘mutual is a well-known trap. The essence of its meaning is that it involves the relation, x is or does to y as y to x; and not the relation, x is or does to z as y to z; from which it follows that our mutual friend Jones (meaning Jones who is your friend as well as mine) and all similar phrases, are misuses.’
✗Children should obey to their parents.
Children should obey their parents.CThe noun obedience is followed by ‘to’, but not the verb obey.<br></br><br></br>90.Obey to for obey
✗He shut the radio, then opened the taps for his bath.
He turned off the radio, then turned on the taps for his bath.CTo open means to move something (e. g. a door, a window) so as to lower space, shut means to move something to block an upcoming.<br></br><br></br><br></br>91.Open and shut for turn on and turn off (taps, lights, gas, radio, television)
✗They had a good play of football.
They had a good game of football.C Play (an uncountable noun here) is the general word for the action of sport; game (countable) is a particular spell of play. Play is also used as a verb usually with game, e.g., We played this game until the rain stopped play.<br></br><br></br>92.Play for game
✗I’m coming; I’ve practically finished.
Theoretically it seems right, but practically it does not work.CPractically means ‘in a practical manner’ or ‘in practice’.<br></br><br></br>93.Practically for almost or nearly
✗His observations on space travel had a reaction on every continent. When I read the news, my reaction was hostile.
Last night he was excited; now, by way of reaction, he is depressed.CReaction means •responsive or reciprocal action, •return of previous condition after interval of opposite or •(chiefly political) counter-stroke or retrograde tendency.<br></br><br></br>94.Reaction for opinion, view, attitude, feeling, action, effect or influences
✗Please remember me to bring some cakes.
Please remind me to bring some cakes.CRemember means ‘to have in mind’; remind means ‘to make one remember’. In letters, ‘Remember me kindly to your parents’ means ‘I send greetings to your parents’.<br></br><br></br>95.Remember for remind
✗They robbed a bicycle from him.
They stole a bicycle from him.CThe object of steal is the thing taken by the thief, e.g., a bicycle, jewellery, money. The object of rob is the person or place from whom or which the thing is taken, e.g., a millionaire, a house, a bank.<br></br><br></br>96.Robbed for stole
✗He wrote shortly because he had very little paper.
He wrote briefly because he had very little paper.CShortly refers to time, and briefly to manner. e.g., I will write shortly (soon); and I will write not briefly but fully.
✗He has been sick for three years now.
He has been ill for three years now.C’To be ill’ means ‘to be in bad health’. ‘To be sick’ means ‘to vomit’, or ‘to be temporarily indisposed’. Sick can be used before a noun, or as a noun in the plural, e.g., We visit the sick; and they are grateful, especially the sick children. Ill cannot be used in this way. We must say ‘The man who is ill’, not ‘The ill man’.
99.Tell for say✗He said a lot of lies, and then went without telling me goodbye.
He told a lot of lies, and then went without saying goodbye to me.CTell means to give information (the truth, lies, stories, the time) or to calculate, to distinguish or to order. Say is used for actual words as they are spoken, or for their meaning in indirect speech. Notice however, that when ‘say’ in direct speech is followed by an object, ‘tell’ replaces it in indirect speech. e.g., He said to his daughter, ‘You are very silly.’ (Direct) He told his daughter that she was very silly. (Indirect)
100.Thank you for no, thank you ✗More tea? Thank you. (I don’t want any more.)
More tea? No, thank you. (I don’t want any more.)CThank you alone has neither a negative nor an affirmative implication. It is therefore necessary to make your answer clear by saying ‘No, thank you’ or ‘Yes, thank you.’
101.Too for very✗The weather is too hot—I enjoy it like this.
The weather is very hot—I enjoy it like this.CToo has the meaning of excess. It means ‘very’ only in such hyperbolic expressions as ‘too beautiful for words’, ‘you’re too kind’, etc.
102.Transpire for happen or occur✗This transpired to be the last football game of the season.
If these secret conditions should transpire, your life will be in danger.CTranspire means ‘to come to be known’, or ‘to prove to be the case’, To use it in the sense of ‘to happen’ or ‘occur’ is not very appropriate.
103.’What have you?’ for ‘What is the matter?’✗You are very pale; what have you this morning?
You are very pale; what is the matter with you this morning?C’What have you?’ is used to inquire about what one has, and not in what condition one is.
104.Win for beat✗We always win your team at cricket.
We always beat your team at cricket.CWin is to gain something for which you have tried (a prize, approval, a game, a battle); beat is to overcome an opponent, e.g., The girls beat the boys and won a silver cup. Notice that ‘to get a win’ and ‘to get a beating’ are opposites.
105.✗The magistrate issued order for his arrest.
The magistrate issued orders for his arrest.COrders in this sense should always be used in the plural, e.g., orders for expulsion, orders for execution, orders for promotion, orders for dismissal, etc.
2.✗My father is leaving for Delhi by the 8:30 o’clock bus.
My father is leaving for Delhi by the 8:30 bus.CDon’t use ‘o’clock’ when minutes are also mentioned, e.g. ‘by the 9:45 train’, or ‘by the 9 o’clock train’.
3.✗He has built a new home for himself.
He has built a new house for himself.CWhereas a house is any building meant for residence, a home is a place of residence with long associations. A ‘home’ may also mean ‘one’s country’.
4.✗His family members are coming by this train.
The members of his family are coming by this train.CThe correct usage is a member of the family, not ‘a family member’.
5.✗Goodnight, Rita; where have you been all these days?
Good evening, Rita; where have you been all these days?CIt is sometimes forgotten that, ‘goodnight’ is a parting salutation, ‘good evening’ is the proper salutation to be used when two people meet for the first time in the evening. One cannot make any further conversation after saying ‘goodnight’.
6.✗He has already cheated me twice or thrice.
He has already cheated me two or three times.CThough twice means ‘two times’ and thrice ‘three times’, they are formal and literary expressions and not for everyday use.
7.✗A king’s life is different from a prime minister.
A king’s life is different from a prime minister’s.CIn a comparative statement of this kind, if the first noun is in the possessive case, the second noun too must be in the possessive case.
8.✗I gave him one and a half rupee.
I gave him one and a half rupees.CAnything greater than one, even by a narrow margin, takes the plural form.
9.✗Has your brother bought a new dress?
Has your brother bought a new suit?CA common error. Remember that whereas men and boys wear ‘suits’, only women and girls wear ‘dresses’; though ‘evening dress’ is the general word for both sexes.
10.✗When I entered the compartment there was no place for me.
When I entered the compartment there was no room for me.CIn this sense, the proper word is room, which means an unoccupied seat or berth.
11.✗When I entered the bedroom, I saw a snake crawling on the ground.
When I entered the bedroom, I saw a snake crawling on the floor.CThe ground is part of the house, whereas the floor constitutes a part of the room.
12.✗I get a monthly allowance of hundred rupees.
I get a monthly allowance of a hundred rupees.CThe word ‘hundred’ must always be preceded by the indefinite article ‘a’.
13.✗Summarize the two first chapters of this book.
Summarize the first two chapters of this book.CObviously there cannot be two first chapters, just as there cannot be two last chapters.
14.✗He sold three dozens mangoes.
He sold three dozen mangoes.CIf ‘dozen’ is preceded by a numeral (say, three, four, five, etc.) or by ‘a’, use the singular form. The plural form is used in such sentences as ‘We saw dozens of elephants, and hundreds of pigeons’.
15.✗I have just taken my meals.
I have just had my food (or lunch, dinner).CSince we never have more than one meal at a time, why use the plural form? Besides, use the verb ‘have’, not ‘take’.
16.✗I have finished three-fourth of this book.
I have finished three-fourths of this book.C’Three-fourths’ implies three parts out of four parts; therefore use the plural form.
1.✗He bought a radio for ₹250 and sold the same at a handsome profit.
He bought a radio for ₹250 and sold it at a handsome profit.CThere is a common tendency to use this superfluous expression, ‘the same’, where the pronoun ‘it’ would be more suitable. Avoid writing ‘I enclose a cheque for ₹175, please acknowledge receipt of the same’.
2.✗My sister and myself are pleased to accept your invitation to dinner.
My sister and I are pleased to accept your invitation to dinner.CWhere no particular emphasis is intended, use the simple pronouns ‘he, you, I’. Note, for instance, ‘I myself was to blame for the accident’, or, reflexively, as ‘The child hurt itself’.
3.✗The visitors enjoyed during their brief stay in Hyderabad.
The visitors enjoyed themselves during their brief stay in Hyderabad.C’Enjoy’ is a transitive verb, it must therefore be accompanied by an object, which may be a noun or a reflexive pronoun.
4.✗I shall avail of this opportunity to meet you there.
I shall avail myself of this opportunity to meet you there.CThe verb ‘avail’ must here be followed by a reflexive pronoun.
5.✗My children cannot endure my separation.
My children cannot endure separation from me.CIt is not ‘someone’s separation’, but ‘separation from someone’.
6.✗May I now take your leave?
May I now take leave of you?CTo ask to be away from someone is not to take something which is in his possession.
7.✗Can you see me at mine house tomorrow afternoon?
Can you see me at my house tomorrow afternoon?CWe can use ‘mine’, ‘yours’, etc. only when the word ‘house’ has already appeared in this context. For instance, ‘If you can’t come to my house, I can meet you at yours’.
8.✗Will you lend me your pencil, please?—Take.
Will you lend me your pencil, please?—Take it.CIn correct English usage, the verb ‘take’ must be followed by a suitable noun or pronoun.
9.✗Whom do you think will be dismissed first?
Who, do you think, will be dismissed first?CIf you ignore the parenthesis ‘do you think’, it should be easier to know why ‘whom’ is wrong. ‘Who will be dismissed first’, not ‘Whom.’
10.✗One should always remain loyal to his country.
One should always remain loyal to one’s country.CThe indefinite pronoun ‘one’ must always agree with one of its parts: ‘oneself’, ‘one’s’, ‘one’, etc. But this may sometimes be overdone, as in this excerpt from A Winter’s Notebook by Somerset Maugham: ‘As one grows older one becomes more silent. In one’s youth one is ready to pour oneself out to the world; one feels an intense fellowship with other people, one wants to throw oneself in their arms and one feels that they will receive one; one wants to open oneself to them so that they may take one, one wants to penetrate into them; one’s life seems to overflow into the lives of others and become one with theirs as the waters of rivers become one in the sea.’
11.✗I request your favour of considering me for a transfer.
I request the favour of your considering me for a transfer.CAnother typical error—not ‘your state of mind’, but ‘the state of your mind’.
12.✗You are fairer than me.
You are fairer than I.CThe complete sentence would read ‘You are fairer than I am’.
13.✗He is twenty years old, isn’t it?
He is twenty years old, isn’t he?CIn the second part of the sentence, the object of the verb ‘is’ is ‘he’, not ‘it’.
14.✗Rita, having finished her paper, she left the examination hail.
Rita, having finished her paper, left the examination hall.CThis is an example of a pronoun used where it is not required.
15.✗He has read almost each book of the college library.
He has read almost every book of the college library.CEach is a determiner which is used to refer to every one of the two or more things and cannot be used with almost.
2.✗Every one of the two pencils is missing.
Each one of the two pencils is missing.C’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.’
3.✗He is suffering from a strong cold.
He is suffering from a bad cold.CAlso a ‘bad headache’, a ‘bad stomach’.
4.✗You must secure at least passable marks.
You must secure at least pass marks.CThe 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.
5.✗I am forty years.
I am forty years old.CEither drop the word ‘years’ and simply say ‘I am forty’, or use the complete expression, ‘1 am forty years old’, or ‘I am forty years of age’.
6.✗He brought me milk, butter and honey, the latter being Indian.
He brought me milk, butter and honey, the last being Indian.C’Latter’ is used only where two things are mentioned.
7.✗This feat was marvellous well performed.
This feat was marvellously well performed.CDo not use an adjective to qualify an adverb.
8.✗This car is superior than that.
This car is superior to that.CAlways use the preposition ‘to’ after ‘superior’ or ‘inferior’. Similarly say ‘preferable to’, not ‘preferable than’.
✗I am living in Bangalore.
I live in Bangalore.CThis is a typical Indianism. Why unnecessarily use the present participle, when a simple present tense can be more direct?
2.✗She sang very well, isn’t it?
She sang very well, didn’t she?CThe expression ‘isn’t it?’ is often used indiscriminately. In all such sentences, the tense and person used in the main statement must be retained in the auxiliary as well. The auxiliary in this case ‘didn’t she’ implies ‘didn’t she sing very well?’
3.✗I have read an interesting book yesterday.
I read an interesting book yesterday.CIf the action was completed in the past at a particular time (‘yesterday’), we should use the simple past tense, not the present perfect.
4.✗He saw the Taj at Agra.
He has seen the Taj at Agra.CWhen the accent is more on the result of a past action than on the action itself, use the present perfect tense.
5.✗Ansuya told me that she may proceed on leave.
Ansuya told me that she might proceed on leave. CA typical example of the wrong use of sequence of tenses. Verbs in the subordinate clauses must always agree with the verb in the principal clause. Similarly, say ‘I thought I could help him’, not ‘I thought I can help him’.
6.✗He walks as if the earth belongs to him.
He walks as if the earth belonged to him.CExpressions like ‘as if’, ‘as though’, are always followed by the past tense.
7.✗Kindly see my testimonials.
Kindly look at (or examine) my testimonials.C’Seeing’ merely implies a simple faculty of vision, devoid of any critical attention. Isn’t it possible to ‘see’ a thing, without ‘looking at’ it? Similarly, it is wrong to say ‘I am seeing this great painting’ (Right: ‘I am looking at this great painting’).
8.✗My sister always puts on a white saree.
My sister always wears a white saree.CWhereas ‘to put on’ implies a simple act, ‘to wear’ denotes ‘putting on’ something more habitually.
9.✗He avenged himself for the injustice done to his father.
He revenged himself for the injustice done to his father.C The verbs ‘avenged’ and ‘revenged’ are often confused and misused. Whereas ‘to revenge oneself’ should be used for any wrong done to oneself, ‘to avenge’ means to inflict retribution (punishment) on behalf of somebody else.
10.✗She revenged her father’s murder.
She avenged her father’s murder.CAs explained in 9 (C).
11.✗I slept rather late last night.
I went to bed rather late last night.C’Going to bed’ implies a simple act of getting into bed, for sleeping. But it is possible that one may go to bed at ten, and not go to sleep until twelve o’clock.
12.✗He has left painting.
He has given up painting.CIt is wrong to use the verb ‘to leave’ in the sense of ‘giving up’ something. ‘Leave off’ may be used, however.
13.✗Leave my arm, please.
Let go my arm, please.CThe verb ‘leave’ cannot be used in sense of ‘giving up one’s hold’.
14.✗He asked me where was I going.
He asked me where I was going. COnce a statement is made in the reported speech (‘he asked where..’), it is wrong to retain the question form (‘where was I going?’).
15.✗I should feel happy if you will come to tea tomorrow.
I should feel happy if you would come to tea tomorrow.CVerbs in both these clauses should agree with each other, e.g., should, would, not should, will. Even if the first sentence is permissible, it is still a less polite form of saying the same thing.
16.✗I should like to forward myself as a candidate for this post.
I should like to offer myself as a candidate for this post.CForward means to send on or ‘to dispatch’ an object. How can, therefore, one ‘forward’ oneself?
17.✗Hundreds of people died by the earthquake.
Hundreds of people were killed by the earthquake.C We ‘die’ of natural causes (‘illness’, ‘heart failure’, etc.), but in the case of unexpected calamities (‘fire’, ‘war’, etc.) we must use the verb ‘kill’.
18.✗Will you kindly open this knot?
Will you kindly untie this knot?CA very common error. One ‘opens’ a door or a window, but not a ‘knot’.
19.✗I have to give another examination next year.
I have to take another examination next year.CAn examiner gives an examination or a test, a candidate takes an examination or a test.
20.✗Where have you kept the pencil I gave you a few minutes ago?
Where have you put (placed) the pencil I gave you a few minutes ago?CThe verb ‘to keep’ implies a certain duration, e.g., ‘He always keeps his diaries under lock and key’. But ‘putting’ something implies ‘placing’ it temporarily somewhere.
21.✗Better revise this essay.
You had better revise this essay.C The correct structural pattern is ‘You had better do this first’, ‘You had better sleep now’, etc.
22.✗Don’t hold this dirty insect in your hand; throw it.
Don’t hold this dirty insect in your hand; throw it away.C’To throw something away’ is the correct (and complete) expression. ‘To throw’ means ‘to throw a ball’, etc. ‘To throw something away’ means ‘to throw it aside’.
23.✗It is better to keep one’s head in the face of danger than losing one’s courage and getting panicky.
It is better to keep one’s head in the face of danger than to lose one’s courage and get panicky. CA case of confusion of verbs; one form of verb should not be mixed with another form of verb in this way—if the first verb is in the infinitive mood, the second verb should also be in the infinitive mood.
24.✗Are you a vegetarian? Yes, I am not.
Are you a vegetarian? No, I am not. (Or, Yes, I am.)C When the answer is in the affirmative, say ‘Yes’ and drop the negative form ‘not’. If the answer is in the negative, say ‘No’, and you may also retain the negative ‘not’.
25.✗When he lost my book I became very angry.
When he lost my book I felt very angry.CIt is better to use ‘feel’ or ‘get’ with adjectives such as ‘angry’, ‘hungry’, ‘thirsty’, ‘tired’, etc.
26.✗I went to London with a view to investigate the matter.
I went to London with a view to investigating the matter.C’With a view to’ is always followed by a gerund and not an infinitive.
27.✗I did nothing but cried.
I did nothing but cry.CUse the infinitive after ‘but’.
28.✗Will you kindly mend this pencil?
Will you kindly sharpen this pencil?COne ‘sharpens’ a pencil, but ‘mends’ a pen.
29.✗I want you to fully realize the consequences of this.
I want you to realize fully the consequences of this.CAvoid the use of split infinitive. Don’t insert anything between the words ‘to feel’, ‘to remember’, etc.
30.✗The thief escaped before I opened the door.
The thief had escaped before I opened the door.CThe earlier action should always take the past perfect verb.
31.✗Rita and I was walking in the garden.
Rita and I were walking in the garden.CThe verb has to be in plural when the subject of the sentence Rita and I is plural.
32.✗The whole class were playing.
The whole class was playing.C’The whole class’ indicates a single entity.
33.✗Both of us was present at the bus stop.
Both of us were present at the bus stop.CThe verb has to be in plural because both of us is a plural expression.
34.✗All my books is with her.
All my books are with her.C’All my books’, the subject of the sentence, is plural.
35.✗Each one of these apples are red.
Each one of these apples is red.CEach one suggests that the subject is singular; it does not refer to all members of the set.
36.✗A grey and a white dog is barking.
A grey and a white dog are barking.CThere are two entities as the subject (i.e. a grey dog and a white dog), so the verb is plural.
37.✗My brother and my sister is at the party.
My brother and my sister are at the party.CThe verb is plural because the subject (i.e. my brother and my sister) is plural.
38.✗She and I was drinking milk.
She and I were drinking milk.CThe verb is plural because the subject (i.e. she and I) is plural.
39.✗Slow and steady win the race.
Slow and steady wins the race.CThe understood subject (person) is singular, so the verb is singular.
40.✗Tomorrow never come.
Tomorrow never comes.C’Tomorrow’, the subject of the sentence, is singular.
42.✗Either Rita or Natasha have eaten the ice cream.
Either Rita or Natasha has eaten the ice cream.CWhen an exclusive coordinator (e.g. either or) is used, the verb agrees with its nearest subject (i.e. Natasha).
43.✗Neither my father nor my mother are going to the party.
Neither my father nor my mother is going to the party.CThe exclusive coordinator makes the verb agree with its nearest subject (i.e. my mother) which is singular.
44.✗The president as well as the prime minister is in the plane.
The president as well as the prime minister are in the plane.C’As well as’ is like ‘and’; because of it, the subject of the sentence is plural and needs a plural verb.
45.✗Either the whole class or I are in the wrong.
Either the whole class or I am in the wrong.CIn sentences with exclusive coordinators (i.e. either/or), the verb agrees with its nearest subject.
46.✗The news, which you have given me, are excellent.
The news, which you have given me, is excellent.CNews is an uncountable noun and is singular.
47.✗Alms were asked by the poor.
Alms was asked by the poor.CAlms, the subject of the sentence, is a singular noun and needs a singular verb.
48.✗My friend and guide, my teacher were alive, when I decided to join the army.
My friend and guide, my teacher was alive, when I decided to join the army.CThe subject of this sentence (i.e. my teacher) is singular. My friend and guide are attributes of the subject.
49.✗None of the boys were wearing a cap.
None of the boys was wearing a cap.CThe subject of the sentence (i.e. none of the boys) is singular. None means not any (one).
50.✗Neither Mr Robin nor his colleagues is going for the vacation.
Neither Mr Robin nor his colleagues are going for the vacation.CBecause of the exclusive coordinator, neither/nor, the verb agrees with its nearest subject (i.e. his colleagues).
51.✗My spectacles has been stolen.
My spectacles have been stolen.CSpectacles is a plural noun and needs a plural verb.
52.✗My trousers was black in colour.
My trousers were black in colour.CTrousers is a plural subject and needs a plural verb.
53.✗Was there many girls present for the meeting?
Were there many girls present for the meeting?C’Many girls’, the plural subject, needs a plural verb.
54.✗Each of these umbrellas are defective.
Each of these umbrellas is defective.CThe subject of the sentence ‘each’ needs a singular verb.
55.✗The teachers as well as the students was surprised.
The teachers as well as the students were surprised.CAs well as is like and the verb agrees with the whole expression that is the subject of the sentence (i.e. the teacher as well as the students).
56.✗’Isn’t he the best player in the Hockey Eleven?’—’Of course, he is’.
Isn’t he the best player in the Hockey Eleven?’— ‘Certainly, he is’.C’Of course’ should be used only in the context of an inevitable consequence.
2.✗He bore cheerfully his miseries.
He bore his miseries cheerfully.CIn the case of a transitive verb, use the adverb after the object.
3.✗He is too polite.
He is too polite to be unkind to anyone.C’He is too polite’ is incomplete. ‘Too polite’ for what? Too means ‘excessively’, ‘to a higher degree than is desirable’.
4.✗The spectators left the theatre by and by.
The spectators left the theatre one by one.C’By and by’ means ‘eventually’, and not ‘one by one’.
