FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Most of the Competitive Tests today comprise of questions based on the correct usage of words as different parts of speech. "Spotting Errors" is a section containing questions of this type. You will be required to read a given sentence in the question and identify which part of the sentence contains an error. In order to do this, you should be aware of the correct usage of words as different parts of speech. And to be able to do that, you should have a clear understanding of the different parts of speech. Let us first discuss the various parts of speech and then look at their correct usage.
According to the work they do in a sentence, words are classified into different kinds, called the Parts of Speech. So, unless we use a word in a particular sentence, it will be meaningless to classify it into any part of speech.
There are eight Parts of Speech. They are:
1. Noun
2. Pronoun
3. Verb
4. Adverb
5. Adjective
6. Preposition
7. Conjunction
8. Interjection
(Observe that the corresponding parts of speech in the following example sentences are highlighted in colour).
1. Noun: It is a word used as the name of a person, place, thing or animal (bird). The word 'thing' includes all tangible and intangible things.
Example:
Ravichandra is an honest man.
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
That chair is a new one.
Her honesty earned her great reputation.
Cows eat grass.
An owl can see during the night.
2. Adjective: It is a word used to describe a noun.
Example:
She is a beautiful woman.
This is a difficult question.
There are hundred pages in this book.
3. Pronoun: It is a word used instead of a noun.
Example:
Sirisha passed the exam because she worked hard.
I want my books to remain where I leave them.
4. Verb: It is a word used to describe an action done by a noun.
Example:
The boy asked me to clarify his doubts.
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
It usually rains from August to December in Karnataka.
5. Adverb: It is a word used to add something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
Example:
He speaks loudly.
She is a very beautiful woman.
They ran out quite slowly.
6. Preposition: It is a word used to indicate how a noun or pronoun stands with respect to something else.
Example:
Birds fly in the air.
The child hid under the table.
She is afraid of rats.
7. Conjunction: It is a word used to join a set of words or sentences.
Example:
Latha and Geetha are sisters.
He worked hard but failed in the exam.
8. Interjection: It is a word used to express sudden feelings.
Example:
Eureka! I found it.
Oh! That's a great shot.
Hurrah! We have won the match.
Note:
a. As words are classified into the different parts of speech based on the work they do in a sentence, we cannot classify a word into the right parts of speech unless it is used in a sentence.
b. Remember that the same word may be used as different parts of speech in different sentences.
Examples of how words can be used as different parts of speech.
Example:
Water is precious, we shouldn't waste it. (Noun)
I bought a water gun for my son. (Adjective)
Please water the plants everyday. (Verb)
1. Agreement of the Verb with the Subject: A verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
Often, the verb is made to agree in number with a noun near it instead of with its proper subject.
Example:
The quality of the oranges were not good.
The quality of the oranges was not good.
My fluency in foreign languages are exceptional.
My fluency in foreign languages is exceptional.
There is two reasons for this.
There are two reasons for this.
b. For some nouns, which are plural in form, but singular in meaning, a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Economics are a difficult subject.
Economics is a difficult subject.
The news are encouraging.
The news is encouraging.
The wages of hard work are success.
The wages of hard work is success.
Logistics have been part of his curriculum.
Logistics has been part of his curriculum.
c. For some nouns, which are singular in form, but plural in meaning, a plural verb should be used.
Example:
As per the shopkeeper, five dozen costs eighty rupees.
As per the shopkeeper, five dozen cost eighty rupees.
d. A singular verb should be used with a Collective noun when the collection is thought of as one whole. A plural verb should be used with a Collective noun when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.
Example:
The Committee have submitted their findings.
The Committee has submitted its findings.
The Committee is divided on one important issue.
The Committee are divided on one important issue.
e. When a plural noun is a proper name for some single object or some collective unit, a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Gulliver's Travels are a favourite of children.
Gulliver's Travels is a favourite of children.
The United Arab Emirates are an attractive location for job opportunities today.
The United Arab Emirates is an attractive location for job opportunities today.
Gandhiji's Experiments with Truth are an inspiring book.
Gandhiji's Experiements with Truth is an inspiring book.
f. When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, a singular verb is generally used.
Example:
Thousand grams are a kilogram.
Thousand grams is a kilogram.
One hundred centimetres are equal to one metre.
One hundred centimetres is equal to one metre.
Two hundred kilometres are a long distance.
Two hundred kilometres is a long distance.
Eighty thousand rupees are a large sum of money.
Eighty thousand rupees is a large sum of money.
g. For two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by 'and' a plural verb should be used.
Example:
Copper and Aluminium is good conductor of electricity.
Copper and Aluminium are good conductors of electricity.
She and I was studying.
She and I were studying.
Is your brother and sister coming to the party?
Are your brother and sister coming to the party?
Hard work and success goes hand in hand.
Hard work and success go hand in hand.
Note: In this case, if the nouns refer to the same person or thing, then a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Bread and butter are his only food.
Bread and butter is his only food.
The patriot and leader are now recognized.
The patriot and leader is now recognized.
The horse and carriage are at the entrance.
The horse and carriage is at the entrance.
Time and tide waits for none.
Time and tide wait for none.
h. 'None', though properly singular, commonly goes with a plural verb.
Example:
None is so miserable as those who accept failure.
None are so miserable as those who accept failure.
Chinese are amongst the most hard working of all people in the
world; none puts more effort in achieving what they want.
Chinese are amongst the most hard working of all people in the
world; none put more effort in achieving what they want.
i. For two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and', a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Every man and woman in the room were asked to vote.
Every man and woman in the room was asked to vote.
Each of the girls in the class were asked to dance.
Each of the girls in the class was asked to dance.
j. Words joined to a singular subject by 'with, as well as', etc., are parenthetical, and hence a singular verb should be used.
Example:
The vehicle, with its accessories, were insured.
The vehicle, with its accessories, was insured.
Spanish, as well as German, are taught at Career Campus.
Spanish, as well as German, is taught at Career Campus.
The submarine, with its crew, were found.
The submarine, with its crew, was found.
The Minister, with his MLAs, are required to participate.
The Minister, with his MLAs, is required to participate.
k. For two or more singular subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor', a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Either she or her friend have attended the meeting.
Either she or her friend has attended the meeting.
Neither Siraj nor his brother were found successful.
Neither Siraj nor his brother was found successful.
Note: When one of the subjects is joined by 'or' or 'nor' is plural, a plural verb must be used, and the plural subject should be placed nearest the verb.
Example:
Neither Krishna nor his friends wants to attend the party.
Neither Krishna nor his friends want to attend the party.
Either Ram or his brothers has done the deed.
Either Ram or his brothers have done the deed.
l.When the subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' are of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer.
Example:
Neither you nor I are to blame.
Neither you nor I am to be blame.
Either she or he have to complete the task.
Either she or he has to complete the task.
Note: It is suggested that the above usage be avoided and the following used:
Example:
You are not to be blamed nor am I.
She has to complete the task, or else he has to.
m. Either, neither, each, everyone, many a, must be followed by a singular verb.
Example:
Either of the questions have to be answered.
Either of the questions has to be answered.
Neither of the students are good at Arithmetic.
Neither of the students is good at Arithmetic.
Each of these plants are available in our nursery.
Each of these plants is available in our nursery.
Every one of the counseling rooms are full.
Every one of the counseling rooms is full.
Many a man have succeeded in this task.
Many a man has succeeded in this task.
n. For two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and', a singular verb should be used.
Examples:
Each adult and every child were required to buy a ticket.
Each adult and every child was required to buy a ticket.
o. 'Pains' and 'means' take either the singular or the plural verb, but the usage must be consistent.
Examples:
The means used by them is enough.
All possible means have been tried.
Great pains have been taken by them to reach the top.
Much pain has been taken by them to reach the top.
a.The Object of a Verb or of a Preposition, when it is a Pronoun, should be in the Objective form:
Example:
There is a lot of difference between you and I.
There is a lot of difference between you and me.
The teacher allowed Lalitha and I to leave the class early.
The teacher allowed Lalitha and me to leave the class early.
Let you and I talk it out.
Let you and me talk it out.
Her, who had been the most important person in his life, has now begun to hate he the most.
She, who had been the most important person in his life, has now begun to hate him the most.
A pronoun in its objective form (him, he, me) should be used as an object of a verb or a preposition.
Her, who appeared so considerate, turned out to be cruel.
She, who appeared so considerate, turned out to be cruel.
b. None can be used in the singular or plural as the situation and meaning demands.
Example:
Do you have any letters for me?
No, there is none for you.
No, there are none for you.
Did you bring me a letter?
No, there were none for you.
No, there was none for you.
Note: When the singular or plural equally expresses the sense, a plural verb is commonly used.
Example:
None of his books are well known.
None, but fools have accepted that proposal.
c. The complement of the verb 'to be', when it is expressed by a pronoun, should be in the nominative form.
Example:
It was her.
It was she.
If I were him, I wouldn't go ahead.
If I were he, I wouldn't go ahead.
It was me that completed the task first.
It was I that completed the task first.
Note: 'It's me' is used even by people well exposed to the English language and is considered to be idiomatic English.
d. The indefinite pronoun 'one' should be used throughout, if it is used at all.
Example:
One should learn to sharpen his own skills.
One should learn to sharpen one's own skills.
One can always learn from his mistakes.
One can always learn from one's mistakes.
Most of the Competitive Tests today comprise of questions based on the correct usage of words as different parts of speech. "Spotting Errors" is a section containing questions of this type. You will be required to read a given sentence in the question and identify which part of the sentence contains an error. In order to do this, you should be aware of the correct usage of words as different parts of speech. And to be able to do that, you should have a clear understanding of the different parts of speech. Let us first discuss the various parts of speech and then look at their correct usage.
According to the work they do in a sentence, words are classified into different kinds, called the Parts of Speech. So, unless we use a word in a particular sentence, it will be meaningless to classify it into any part of speech.
There are eight Parts of Speech. They are:
1. Noun
2. Pronoun
3. Verb
4. Adverb
5. Adjective
6. Preposition
7. Conjunction
8. Interjection
(Observe that the corresponding parts of speech in the following example sentences are highlighted in colour).
1. Noun: It is a word used as the name of a person, place, thing or animal (bird). The word 'thing' includes all tangible and intangible things.
Example:
Ravichandra is an honest man.
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
That chair is a new one.
Her honesty earned her great reputation.
Cows eat grass.
An owl can see during the night.
2. Adjective: It is a word used to describe a noun.
Example:
She is a beautiful woman.
This is a difficult question.
There are hundred pages in this book.
3. Pronoun: It is a word used instead of a noun.
Example:
Sirisha passed the exam because she worked hard.
I want my books to remain where I leave them.
4. Verb: It is a word used to describe an action done by a noun.
Example:
The boy asked me to clarify his doubts.
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
It usually rains from August to December in Karnataka.
5. Adverb: It is a word used to add something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
Example:
He speaks loudly.
She is a very beautiful woman.
They ran out quite slowly.
6. Preposition: It is a word used to indicate how a noun or pronoun stands with respect to something else.
Example:
Birds fly in the air.
The child hid under the table.
She is afraid of rats.
7. Conjunction: It is a word used to join a set of words or sentences.
Example:
Latha and Geetha are sisters.
He worked hard but failed in the exam.
8. Interjection: It is a word used to express sudden feelings.
Example:
Eureka! I found it.
Oh! That's a great shot.
Hurrah! We have won the match.
Note:
a. As words are classified into the different parts of speech based on the work they do in a sentence, we cannot classify a word into the right parts of speech unless it is used in a sentence.
b. Remember that the same word may be used as different parts of speech in different sentences.
Examples of how words can be used as different parts of speech.
Example:
Water is precious, we shouldn't waste it. (Noun)
I bought a water gun for my son. (Adjective)
Please water the plants everyday. (Verb)
1. Agreement of the Verb with the Subject: A verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
Often, the verb is made to agree in number with a noun near it instead of with its proper subject.
Example:
The quality of the oranges were not good.
The quality of the oranges was not good.
My fluency in foreign languages are exceptional.
My fluency in foreign languages is exceptional.
There is two reasons for this.
There are two reasons for this.
b. For some nouns, which are plural in form, but singular in meaning, a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Economics are a difficult subject.
Economics is a difficult subject.
The news are encouraging.
The news is encouraging.
The wages of hard work are success.
The wages of hard work is success.
Logistics have been part of his curriculum.
Logistics has been part of his curriculum.
c. For some nouns, which are singular in form, but plural in meaning, a plural verb should be used.
Example:
As per the shopkeeper, five dozen costs eighty rupees.
As per the shopkeeper, five dozen cost eighty rupees.
d. A singular verb should be used with a Collective noun when the collection is thought of as one whole. A plural verb should be used with a Collective noun when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.
Example:
The Committee have submitted their findings.
The Committee has submitted its findings.
The Committee is divided on one important issue.
The Committee are divided on one important issue.
e. When a plural noun is a proper name for some single object or some collective unit, a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Gulliver's Travels are a favourite of children.
Gulliver's Travels is a favourite of children.
The United Arab Emirates are an attractive location for job opportunities today.
The United Arab Emirates is an attractive location for job opportunities today.
Gandhiji's Experiments with Truth are an inspiring book.
Gandhiji's Experiements with Truth is an inspiring book.
f. When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, a singular verb is generally used.
Example:
Thousand grams are a kilogram.
Thousand grams is a kilogram.
One hundred centimetres are equal to one metre.
One hundred centimetres is equal to one metre.
Two hundred kilometres are a long distance.
Two hundred kilometres is a long distance.
Eighty thousand rupees are a large sum of money.
Eighty thousand rupees is a large sum of money.
g. For two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by 'and' a plural verb should be used.
Example:
Copper and Aluminium is good conductor of electricity.
Copper and Aluminium are good conductors of electricity.
She and I was studying.
She and I were studying.
Is your brother and sister coming to the party?
Are your brother and sister coming to the party?
Hard work and success goes hand in hand.
Hard work and success go hand in hand.
Note: In this case, if the nouns refer to the same person or thing, then a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Bread and butter are his only food.
Bread and butter is his only food.
The patriot and leader are now recognized.
The patriot and leader is now recognized.
The horse and carriage are at the entrance.
The horse and carriage is at the entrance.
Time and tide waits for none.
Time and tide wait for none.
h. 'None', though properly singular, commonly goes with a plural verb.
Example:
None is so miserable as those who accept failure.
None are so miserable as those who accept failure.
Chinese are amongst the most hard working of all people in the
world; none puts more effort in achieving what they want.
Chinese are amongst the most hard working of all people in the
world; none put more effort in achieving what they want.
i. For two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and', a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Every man and woman in the room were asked to vote.
Every man and woman in the room was asked to vote.
Each of the girls in the class were asked to dance.
Each of the girls in the class was asked to dance.
j. Words joined to a singular subject by 'with, as well as', etc., are parenthetical, and hence a singular verb should be used.
Example:
The vehicle, with its accessories, were insured.
The vehicle, with its accessories, was insured.
Spanish, as well as German, are taught at Career Campus.
Spanish, as well as German, is taught at Career Campus.
The submarine, with its crew, were found.
The submarine, with its crew, was found.
The Minister, with his MLAs, are required to participate.
The Minister, with his MLAs, is required to participate.
k. For two or more singular subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor', a singular verb should be used.
Example:
Either she or her friend have attended the meeting.
Either she or her friend has attended the meeting.
Neither Siraj nor his brother were found successful.
Neither Siraj nor his brother was found successful.
Note: When one of the subjects is joined by 'or' or 'nor' is plural, a plural verb must be used, and the plural subject should be placed nearest the verb.
Example:
Neither Krishna nor his friends wants to attend the party.
Neither Krishna nor his friends want to attend the party.
Either Ram or his brothers has done the deed.
Either Ram or his brothers have done the deed.
l.When the subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor' are of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer.
Example:
Neither you nor I are to blame.
Neither you nor I am to be blame.
Either she or he have to complete the task.
Either she or he has to complete the task.
Note: It is suggested that the above usage be avoided and the following used:
Example:
You are not to be blamed nor am I.
She has to complete the task, or else he has to.
m. Either, neither, each, everyone, many a, must be followed by a singular verb.
Example:
Either of the questions have to be answered.
Either of the questions has to be answered.
Neither of the students are good at Arithmetic.
Neither of the students is good at Arithmetic.
Each of these plants are available in our nursery.
Each of these plants is available in our nursery.
Every one of the counseling rooms are full.
Every one of the counseling rooms is full.
Many a man have succeeded in this task.
Many a man has succeeded in this task.
n. For two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and', a singular verb should be used.
Examples:
Each adult and every child were required to buy a ticket.
Each adult and every child was required to buy a ticket.
o. 'Pains' and 'means' take either the singular or the plural verb, but the usage must be consistent.
Examples:
The means used by them is enough.
All possible means have been tried.
Great pains have been taken by them to reach the top.
Much pain has been taken by them to reach the top.
Correct usage of Nouns and Pronouns
a.The Object of a Verb or of a Preposition, when it is a Pronoun, should be in the Objective form:
Example:
There is a lot of difference between you and I.
There is a lot of difference between you and me.
The teacher allowed Lalitha and I to leave the class early.
The teacher allowed Lalitha and me to leave the class early.
Let you and I talk it out.
Let you and me talk it out.
Her, who had been the most important person in his life, has now begun to hate he the most.
She, who had been the most important person in his life, has now begun to hate him the most.
A pronoun in its objective form (him, he, me) should be used as an object of a verb or a preposition.
Her, who appeared so considerate, turned out to be cruel.
She, who appeared so considerate, turned out to be cruel.
b. None can be used in the singular or plural as the situation and meaning demands.
Example:
Do you have any letters for me?
No, there is none for you.
No, there are none for you.
Did you bring me a letter?
No, there were none for you.
No, there was none for you.
Note: When the singular or plural equally expresses the sense, a plural verb is commonly used.
Example:
None of his books are well known.
None, but fools have accepted that proposal.
c. The complement of the verb 'to be', when it is expressed by a pronoun, should be in the nominative form.
Example:
It was her.
It was she.
If I were him, I wouldn't go ahead.
If I were he, I wouldn't go ahead.
It was me that completed the task first.
It was I that completed the task first.
Note: 'It's me' is used even by people well exposed to the English language and is considered to be idiomatic English.
d. The indefinite pronoun 'one' should be used throughout, if it is used at all.
Example:
One should learn to sharpen his own skills.
One should learn to sharpen one's own skills.
One can always learn from his mistakes.
One can always learn from one's mistakes.
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