Important rules:- The object of a verb or of a preposition , when it is pronoun, should be in the objective form, as, a) Let you and me (not I) do this work. b) Between you and me (not I) there should be no formality. 2. When two or more singular nouns are joined by (a) ‘OR’ (b) ‘either…..Or’ (c) ‘Neither ….. nor’ , the pronoun is singular. For example : (a) Rajesh or Mahesh should invest his money in business. (b)Either sunitha or Archana forgot to take her book. 3. When such verbs as ‘absent’, ‘apply’, ‘avenge’, ‘avail’, ‘acquit’, etc. are used reflexively, never omit the reflexive pronoun, as He absented himself from the class 4. When the complement of a verb is pronoun , it should be in subjective form. For E.g, It is I, It is she, etc. 5. The verb should agree with the antecedent. 6. When two or more subjects are joined by (a) ‘or’ (b) ‘either..or’ , (c) ‘neither. nor’ , the verb agrees with its nearest subject; as, a) Either Anil or his brother is at fault. b) Neither he nor his friends have made any programme. 7. ‘Either’ and ‘Neither’ should be used in reference to two only. When the reference is to more than two, we should use ‘anyone’ and ‘none’ respectively . 8. ‘Scenery’, ‘information’, ‘furniture’, ‘bread’, ‘mischief’, ‘poetry’, ‘hair’, ‘advice’, are some of the nouns which are used in the singular only. They are neither preceded by any indefinite article nor pluralised. 9.The definite article ‘the’ is used: a) When we speak of a particular person or thing , or one already referred to or known to the speaker, as The book you are referring to is krishna’s not mine. b)Before nouns when these happen of buildings, mountains, rivers, oceans, gulfs, etc…… c) Before the names of books: the Ramayana, The gita. d) Before names of countries which are made of descriptive words: the U.S.A , the U.K. When a comparison is introduced by means of a comparative followed by than the things compared must always be excluded from the class of things with which it is compared , by using ‘other’ , as Incorrect: Hyderabad is bigger than any city in India. Correct: Hyderabad is bigger than any other city in India . 11.Some verbs like ‘regard’, ‘describe’, ‘treat’, ‘define’, ‘represent’, etc… are followed by ‘as’ . For e.g. He was regarded as one of the best sportsmen of the state. 12. ‘No less than’ is used in reference to quantitative nouns, ‘No fewer than’ is used in Reference to number For E.g; Incorrect : No less than three thousand people were killed in the flood havoc. Correct: No fewer than three thousand people were killed in the flood havoc. 13. ‘Such’ and ‘same’ are followed by ‘as’ in preference to ‘that’ ‘which’ or ‘who’. For E.g; His reply was such as silenced all opposing voices. 14. The relative pronoun ‘that’ is used in preference to ‘who’ or ‘which’ – a) After adjectives in the superlative degree, as It is the best that he can do for her in these circumstances. b) After the interrogative pronouns, as, what is it that troubles you? c) After two antecedents , one denoting a person and the other denoting the animal or a thing. The bot and tiger, that had entered the house were turned out. d)After the words ‘only’ , ‘nothing’, ‘any’ , ‘all’ , ‘same’ , etc…. a. The only concession that can be granted to you is this. b. All that glitters is not gold. 15. Such verbs as ‘break’, ‘keep’, ‘bathe’ , ‘turn’, ‘hide’, ‘feed’, ‘steal’, ‘spread’, ‘stop’, ‘burn’, ‘open’, ‘rest’, ‘roll’, etc…… do not take reflexive pronoun . For E.g: a) The day broke in a cloudless sky. b) He hide behind the wall. 16. ‘Scarcely’ and ‘Hardly’ are followed by ‘when’ instead of ‘Than’. 17. ‘Each’ and ‘Every’ are singular and are followed by singular verb . For E.g, Everyone of the boys was present.s The verb comes before its subject when it is introduced by an adverb. For E.g. a)No sooner did he reach the college than it began to rain. b)Rightly has it been said that virtue brings its own reward. 19. When two or more subjects are joined by ‘as well as’ the verb agrees with the first subject in number and person. For E.g. The principle as well as the professors was present in the college 20. ‘Many a’ is always followed by a singular noun and a singular verb : as – Full many a ‘flower’ is born to blush green. But, when ‘many a’ is followed by two nouns of distinct meaning, the verb is plural as Many a girl and boy have arrived to witness the show. 21. ‘Until’ and ‘unless’ are negative. They are therefore, not followed by ‘Not’. For E.g. until he works hard, he cannot pass. 22. In a comparison of two things (such as two books), we use the comparative degree (more) – not the superlative degree (most). For E.g. Of novel and poetry, the later is more interesting. ‘As if’ is generally followed by verb in past tense. For E.g. He behaves as if he were a philosopher. 24.The adverb ‘enough’ is always placed after the work it qualifies. For E.g. You were kind enough to me 25. A gerund must not be mixed with a verbal noun in the same sentence, as- Incorrect: The reading of poetry gives greater aesthetic satisfaction than reading fiction. Correct: Reading poetry gives greater aesthetic satisfaction than reading fiction ‘Other’ is followed by ‘than’ not by ‘but’ For E.g. How could I hear such words from any other man than him? The infinite without ‘to’ is used after the phrases, ‘had better’, ‘had rather’, ‘would much rather’, ‘as soon as’ etc . For E.g. You had better not stay here. The participle construction should modify the subject. For E.g. Incorrect: After being led into the surgical ward, the nurse on duty asked me several questions. Correct: After being led into the surgical ward, I was asked several questions by the nurse on duty. 29. ‘Until’ refers to the time which passes before a certain action or event takes place: ‘as long as’ and ‘while’ refer to the time during which an action or event takes place: For E.g. Incorrect: Until you are addicted to drinking, you cannot be happy. Correct: So long as you are addicted to drinking, you cannot be happy. 30. ‘Very’ and ‘Much’ are two adverbs which should be carefully used. Their distinctive users are given as follows: a) ‘Very’ modifies adjectives or adverbs in positive degree and ‘much’ in the comparative: She was walking very slowly. She is much more slower than swapna. b)‘very’ modifies present participle and ‘much’ past participle. The problem was very irritating (not ‘much irritating’) He is much annoyed with him (Not ‘very’ annoyed) c) However, the following may be noted: I am very pleased. (Correct) She was feeling very tired. (Correct) 31. ‘No sooner’ is followed by ‘than’ not by when. 32. Some nouns like ‘sheep’, ‘deer’, ‘fish’, ‘swine’, etc… remain the same both in singular and plural. 33. The phrases of time ‘morning’, ‘afternoon’, ‘evening’, are preceded by the preposition ‘in’, whereas ‘day break’, ‘noon’, ‘mid day’ are preceded by the preposition ‘at’ . But when these phrases are qualified by ‘last’ or ‘next’ they are not preceded by any preposition . a) They met me at one place in the evening. b) Please see me in the morning tomorrow c) I will see you at night d) He met me last evening 34. If ‘such’ is used as pronoun in the beginning of a sentence , it should be followed not be the conjunction ‘as’ but by the conjunction ‘that’ . For E.g. Such was her ambition that she found nothing to satisfy her. 35. When the conjunction ‘when’, ‘before’, ‘if’, ‘after’, ‘till’, in the subordinate clauses are used with reference to some future event, they are not followed by a verb in future tense even though the verb in the principal clause is in future tense . Incorrect: I shall leave this please when he will come. Correct: I shall leave this place when he comes. Incorrect: It will be better; if there will be no war at all. Correct: It will be better, if there is no war at all. 36. The subject of a gerund is in the possessive case, Incorrect: I do not mind you saying so. Correct: I do not mind your saying so. 37. Definite article ‘the’ is used with an adverb with a comparative. For E.g. The more he eats, the fatter he becomes. 38. ‘Each other’ is used in reference to more than two. 39. When the subject of the verb is in relative pronoun, the relative should be referred to its true antecedent or antecedents to regulate the number and person of that verb accordingly. Incorrect: Shakespeare was one of the greatest geniuses that has ever lived. Correct: Shakespeare was one of the greatest geniuses that have ever lived. Incorrect: he is not one of those who fall in love with any girl he meet. Correct: He is not one of those who fall in love with any girl they meet. 40. The relative pronoun, as far as possible, should be placed nearest to its antecedent. Incorrect: I have read Tolstoy’s writings. Correct: I have read the writings of Tolstoy.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 06:47:47 +0000
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