Golden rules for Spotting Errors – Part 3 by Mr. Veeraraghavan Retd.RBI Officer
Golden rules for Spotting Errors – Part 3
by Mr. Veeraraghavan Retd.RBI Officer
Rule 1:
`Let’ , `but’ and `except’ are followed by pronoun in objective case.
E.g. Let him do it.
Let us cross the road.
Everyone attended the examination except him.
Rule 2:
A singular subject takes singular verb and singular pronoun.
I want a cup of coffee
We are happy with the arrangements.
Rule 3:
Verb for third person singular subject in the present tense is verb + s; e.g. he writes, she walks, it runs.
(Note: this difference from singular and plural subject is applicable only when the sentence is in present tense.)
He walks quite briskly.
Rule 4:
Two singular nouns or pronouns (includes phrases and clauses) connected by
‘and’ should be treated as plural for matching with verb and pronoun.
Exceptions:
(i) If the two singular subjects refer to the same person or thing the subject remains singular.
Whether the subjects refer to the same person/thing or not can be recognized from the articles placed before subjects
The MD and Chairman is attending the meeting today.
The MD and the Chairman are attending the meeting today.
(ii) Similarly when the singular nouns connected by `and’ are preceded by`each’ and `every’ the subject still remains singular.
Every student and every teacher is expected to attend the school function.
Either of the brothers is likely to attend the function.
Rule 5:
When two singular subjects are joined by ‘or/nor/ either—or/neither—nor’ the subject is singular for verb and pronoun.
E.g: Thomas or Suresh is expected to win the college election.
Neither Suresh nor Ramesh has appeared for the test.
Rule 6:
Words added to the subject connected by words like ‘in addition to, along with, with, as well as, besides ….. etc.,’ do not change the singular or plural status of the subject for matching with verb and pronoun.
E.g. The Chief Minister along with other ministers is participating in the rally.
The Chairman as well as other members of the Board was present.
Rule 7:
When a clause or sentence starts with `there’ or `here’ the subject follows the verb and should be correctly matched with the verb.
E.g: Here are the books which are useful for reference
There is a clock on the wall
Rule 8:
If the noun in the subject of a sentence is preceded by a distributive pronoun (each, either, everyone, neither) then the subject is always singular.
E.g. Each student and every teacher has to attend the function.
(Here although we have a compound subject formed by two nouns student and teacher joined by `and’ the subject remains singular for matching with the verb.
Rule 9:
Some indefinite pronouns like all, any, enough, most and some take singular and plural verbs depending upon whether refer to singular or plural nouns.
E.g. Some of the grain is spoilt.
Some students have not brought their book
Rule 10:
Questions in competitive examinations usually cover Correct usage of prepositions
Time – at, in , by, for, since, from , till, until
at – with a definite point of time He will come at 8.00 AM
with festivities He will come at Pongal
in – Parts of day, months and seasons The functions starts in the morning
Our school will reopen in June
Ooty gets maximum number of tourists in summer
on – with day and dates He will come on Monday
The examination starts on 2nd June
By – refers to latest time by which an action will be over
The repair works will be completed by 5th.
for – used with perfect continuous tense showing duration of action
The show has been going on for last one week
Since – point of time when action begins and continues from the past
We have been working since last January.
from – starting point of time for future Our exams start from 3rd of September.
