- Using If conditionals
Incorrect: If I will Visit London, I will meet you.
Correct: If I will visit London, I will meet you.
Rules
Use simple Present tense to refer to the future after conjunction like when, after, if, as soon as.
Examples
I will talk to him when I see him in the next two days.
I will call you as soon as I arrive at the airport.
If the plan succeeds, I will come.
- Married with/married to
Incorrect: She is married with an engineer
Correct: She is married to an engineer.
Rule
To is a correct preposition to use with married.
- Every with (singular noun)/ Every with (plural noun)
Incorrect: Every students is intelligent in the class.
Correct: Every student is intelligent in the class.
Rule
A Singular noun is used with every.
- Using but and although together
Incorrect: Although it was raining, but we went to market.
Correct: Although it was raining, we went to market.
Rule
If the sentence starts with although, don’t use but with that.
Examples
Although cell phones have many merits, demerits cannot be overlooked.
Although he was not well, he attended the function.
- Your/you’re
Incorrect: What were your answer?
Correct: What was your answer?
Rule
Your indicates possession that is something belonging to you while “You’re” is a contraction for “you are”.
Examples
Where is your cell phone?
You’re responsible for this project.
- Its/its
Incorrect: It’s Sunday morning.
Correct: It’s Sunday morning.
Rule
“It’s” is a contraction for it is.
“Its” is a possessive pronoun for things.
Examples
The floor looks great with its new mat.
It’s raining outside.
- There/their/they’re
Incorrect: Parents work for their children.
Correct: Parents work for their children.
Rule
There is generally used for a place.
Their refers possession, something belonging to them.
There is a contraction for they are.
Examples
Children are playing with their toys.
There are many shops.
They’re going to Delhi.
- Unique/most unique
Incorrect: This is the most unique dress.
Correct: This is the unique dress.
Rule
Adjectives like unique, ideal, entire, and extreme, perfect do not admit different degrees of comparison.
Examples
That job is perfect for him.
These conditions are ideal.
- Me/ I
Incorrect: Smith and I went to the mall.
Correct: Smith and I went to the mall.
Rule
When talking about doing some activity with someone else, use his/her name followed by I.
Examples
My brother and I love ice cream.
John and I are planning a trip.
- Then/than
Incorrect: She is beautiful then her.
Correct: She is beautiful than her.
Rule
Than is used for a comparison.
Then is used for planning a schedule or to indicate instructions.
Examples
He is clever than her.
First I will go to Amritsar then Delhi.
- Amount/number
Incorrect: A greater amount of people are visiting the stadium.
Correct: A greater number of people are visiting the stadium.
Rule
The amount is used for uncountable commodities.
The number is used for countable things.
Examples
A large amount of sand is needed for the project.
We can watch a number of TV shows.
- Fewer/less
Incorrect: There are less dresses.
Correct: There are fewer dresses.
Rule
Fewer is used for countable items.
Less is used for uncountable commodities.
Examples
There was a less rainfall last year.
There are fewer students in the class.
- Did not
Incorrect: I did not saw him yesterday.
Correct: I did not see him yesterday.
Rule
Use base form of the verb with did.
Examples
I did not study Math’s.
He didn’t get up early today.
Her mother did not allow her to go out with her friends.
- Too/enough
Incorrect: This shirt is too enough for me.
Correct: This shirt is too big for me.
Rule
Too is used before adjectives and adverbs. So,, in the above sentence use too with the adjective big.
Enough is used before nouns.
Examples
I don’t have enough time.
The ring was too small.
- Gerunds
Incorrect: We enjoy to go for walk after dinner.
Correct: We enjoy going for walk after dinner.
Rule
A gerund is a verb form which functions as a noun. In other words, a gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding “-ing.” There are some verbs like dislike, which are always followed by a gerund.
Examples
We, enjoy going for a walk. (The gerund always follows the verb ‘enjoy’.)
I love eating ice cream.
- Every day/every day
Incorrect: He need a car for his every day activities.
Correct: He need a car for his everyday activities.
Rule
Every day is an adjective that means commonplace or happening every day.
Every day is an adverbial phrase that means each day or daily. It can be replaced with each day or all days.
Examples
I meet him every day.
He goes to college every day.
I need a laptop for my everyday work.
- Possession shared by two persons
Incorrect: It is Smith’s and Peter’s car.
Correct: It is Smith and Peter’s car.
Rule
Use apostrophe only, after the name of the second person
Example
This is Mark and Smith’s house.
- His/hers/its
Incorrect: The dog lost his bone. (The gender is unknown.)
Correct: The dog lost its bone.
Rule
Use “it” if you don’t know the gender of an animal.
Example
His dog participates in many dog shows. It has won many prizes.
- Well/good (happiness)
Incorrect: He feels well.
Correct: He feels good.
Rule
Use good when expressing happiness.
Examples
She feels good after attending a concert.
He feels good by working for the company.
- Well/good (quality)
Incorrect: She cooks well.
Correct: She cooks well.
Rule
Use well when expressing a quality of someone or something.
Examples
The machine works well.
She sings well.
- Each is/ each are
Incorrect: Each of the cars are fast.
Correct: Each of the cars is fast.
Rule
Use singular verb (is) with indefinite pronouns (such as each, none, neither)
Example
Each of the students is fast.
Neither of them is my classmate.
One of my friends is obese.
- One of the…
Incorrect: One of the train is late.
Correct: One of the trains is late.
Rule
In the above sentence, the singular countable noun train follows the quantifier one, which requires a plural noun.
Examples
Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
He is one of my best friends.
- Police is / police are
Incorrect: The police is coming.
Correct: The police are coming.
Rule
Use plural form ‘are’ when referring to police in general. The word police is an aggregate noun, a word representing an indefinite number of parts; aggregate nouns have a plural form. When referring to a single person or a specific department, use singular ‘is’.
Examples
The police are blocking off the street where the robbery occurred.
The police department is at the corner of the Main Street.
- Misplaced adverbs
Incorrect: He almost washed all of the cars.
Correct: He washed almost all of the cars.
Rule
Be careful where the adverb is placed in the sentence as it has a different meaning. Both the sentences above have the different meaning.
- The omission of second part of comparison
Incorrect: Smith likes Math’s more than English.
Correct: Smith likes Math’s more than he likes English.
- An/a
Incorrect: It is an old television set
Correct: It is an old television set
Rule: If the beginning of the word sounds like a consonant, we use a. If it sounds like a vowel, we use an. We hear a vowel sound at the beginning of uncle and a consonant sound at the beginning of university (you-ni-ver-sity).
Examples:
A horse
An hour
A university
- Alternative/alternate
Incorrect: The salad is a healthier alternate.
Correct: The salad is a healthier alternative.
Rule
Alternate: Occur in turn repeatedly.
Alternative: Available as another possibility or choice.
Examples
The government alternate between the two parties.
The various alternative methods for resolving disputes.
- Amicable / Amiable
Incorrect: The teams were amicable.
Correct: The teams were amiable.
Rule
Amicable: Used for arrangements or settlements agreed peacefully by parties.
Amiable: used to describe kind, gentle and friendly people.
Examples
The amiable young man greeted me.
The meeting was amicable.
- Among/between
Incorrect: She could not decide among the two shirts.
Correct: She could not decide between the two shirts.
Rule
Use ‘between’ when the comparison involves only 2 choices. ‘Among’ is used when there are 3 or more choices.
Examples
They had to choose the winner between the red and the blue teams.
They had to choose the winner among the 5 competing teams.
- beside /besides
Incorrect: Ask him to sit beside me.
Correct: Ask him to sit beside me.
Rule
Beside means next to
Besides means in addition to
Examples
The bride was sitting beside the groom at the reception.
Besides her famous cupcakes, she will donate cookies and a pie to the bake sale.
- Bring /take
Incorrect: He will bring the book from his friend.
Correct: He will take the book from his friend.
Rule
Bring: Take or go with (someone or something) to a place.
Take: Lay hold of (something) with one’s hands; reach for and hold.
Examples
In an emergency, my son could drive up and bring us home.
He leaned forward to take her hand.
- Can /May
Incorrect: I may drive because I passed the driving test.
Correct: I can drive because I passed the driving test.
Rule
Can is used to express ability.
May is used for expressing possibility.
Examples
I can talk to her as she is my friend.
It may rain tomorrow.
- Deadly/deathly
Incorrect: A bee sting can be deathly.
Correct: A bee sting can be deadly.
Rule
Deadly: Causing or able to cause death.
Deathly: Resembling or suggestive of death.
Examples
It is a deadly weapon.
His face was deathly pale.
- Farther /further
Incorrect: We will drive no further tonight.
Correct: We will drive no farther tonight.
Rule
Farther refers to physical distance.
Further refers to moreover; in addition; to a greater extent.
Examples
We had to walk farther than the map indicated.
New Delhi is farther from Mumbai than from Noida.
We need to discuss this further.
- Since/for
Incorrect: I’ve been in America since 3 months.
Correct: I’ve been in America for 3 months.
Rule
Preposition For indicates the length of a period of time.
Preposition Since is used for a precise moment in time
Examples
For 20 minutes
For three days
For 6 months
For 4 years
For 2 centuries
For a long time
Since 9am
Since Monday
Since January
Since 1997
Since 1500
Since I left school
- On/in
Incorrect: In January 13th, I will be twenty.
Correct: On January 13th, I will be twenty.
Rule
On: Indicating the day or part of a day during which an event takes place.
In: used for unspecific times during a day, month, season, and year:
Examples
He will report on September 26
On a very hot evening in July.
She always reads newspapers in the morning.
In the summer, we have a rainy season for three weeks.
The new semester will start in March.
I was born in 1990.
- No one/anyone
Incorrect: At the party, I didn’t meet no one.
Correct: At the party, I didn’t meet anyone.
Rule
The sentence becomes a double negative with the inclusion of both didn’t and nobody.
Examples
I don’t talk to anyone in the evening.
I like no one in their family.
- If I was/if I were
Incorrect: If I was going to the movies…
Correct: If I were going to the movies…
Rule
Use were after I when wishing something.
Examples
If I were the prime minister…
If I were given the chance…
- Themself/themselves
Incorrect: They organized the party themself.
Correct: They organized the party themselves.
Rule
The word themself is not in a dictionary. Themselves is a correct word to use.
Examples
They will do their work themselves.
They do the arrangements themselves.
- Very/really
Incorrect: I felt very fantastic.
Correct: I felt really fantastic
Rule
In many sentences both really and very can be used but there are some exceptions like
Really is used to emphasize a statement or opinion.
Examples
I really want to go.
I really think she is beautiful.
Very cannot be used in these sentences.
- Superlative
Incorrect: She is taller than Sita.
Correct: She is taller than Sita.
Rule
Comparative adjectives describe a noun as having more of a certain quality than another person or thing. Many adjectives take the comparative form by adding -er to the word (softer, nicer, taller).
Examples
She is shorter than Ram.
He is smarter than David.
- in my point of view/From my point of view
Incorrect: In my point of view, the coaching class really helps.
Correct: From my point of view, the coaching class really helps.
Rule
Use either from my point of view or in my view. In my point of view is incorrect.
Examples
From my point of view, she has taken a good decision.
In my view, Robbert is the right person for the job.
- During/for
Incorrect: She studied for the football game.
Correct: She studied during the football game.
Rule
During: Throughout the course or duration of a period of time.
For: Indicating the length of a period of time.
Examples
The restaurant is open during the day.
My sister studied for five hours.
He was jailed for 12 years.
- Could be better than that/couldn’t be better than that
Incorrect: It could be better than that. (When it is the best)
Correct: It couldn’t be better than that (when it is the best)
Rule
It couldn’t be better than that is used when the thing is the best.
It could be better than that is used when there is room for improvement.
- Awhile /a while
INCORRECT: I’ll stay in Mumbai for a while.
CORRECT: I’ll stay in Mumbai for a while.
Rule
Awhile: Adverb that means “for a while.” That is for a short time.
While: means “a period of time.”
So in the above sentence, we cannot use awhile with for as there will be a repetition of “for”.
Examples
We chatted for a while.
Stand here awhile.
- Allot/a lot
INCORRECT: He likes her alot.
CORRECT: He likes her a lot.
Rule
Alot is not a word. A lot is the correct word.
Examples
They travel a lot.
They do a lot of shopping.
- Forty/fourty
INCORRECT: She gave me fourty dollars.
CORRECT: She gave me forty dollars.
Rule
Spellings of the number 4 is four and spellings of the number 40 is forty.
- lightning/lighting
Incorrect: A tremendous flash of lighting.
Correct: A tremendous flash of lightning.
Rule
Lightning: Natural electrical discharge of very short duration in the atmosphere, accompanied by a bright flash.
Lighting: Equipment in a room, building, or street for producing light.
Examples
These clouds often bring thunder and lightning.
They use fluorescent bulbs for street lighting.
- Loose/lose
Incorrect: I don’t want to loose the job.
Correct: I don’t want to lose the job.
Rule
Loose: Not firmly or tightly fixed in place.
Lose: Be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something)
Examples
The lid of the container is loose.
I don’t want to lose her.
- Passed/past
INCORRECT: The car past the bus.
CORRECT: The car passed the bus.
Rule
Passed: Move or cause to move in a specified direction.
Past: Gone by in time and no longer existing.
Examples
He passed through towns and villages.
The danger is now past.
- Pore/pour
INCORRECT: Words poured from his mouth
CORRECT: Words poured from his mouth
Rule
Pore: A minute opening in a surface
Pour: Flow rapidly in a steady stream.
Examples
Skin cleansing products help remove dirt and germs from the skin surface and pores.
Water poured off the roof.
- Pronunciation/pronunciation
INCORRECT: I cannot understand his pronunciation.
CORRECT: I cannot understand his pronunciation.
Rule
The verb is pronounce but the noun is pronunciation.
- Tough/though
Incorrect: You will be informed of its progress, slow tough that may be.
Correct: You will be informed of its progress, slow though that may be.
Rule
Though: Despite the fact that; although.
Tough: Difficult and requiring determination or effort.
Examples
Though they were speaking in undertones, I could hear them.
We have six tough matches in a row.
- Two / too
Incorrect: He wore suits that seemed a size two small for him.
Correct: He wore suits that seemed a size too small for him.
Rule
Two: A number two.
Too: To a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible; excessively.
Example
A romantic weekend for two in Paris.
He was driving too fast.
- Weather/whether
Incorrect: If the weather is good we can go for a walk.
Correct: If the weather is good we can go for a walk.
Rule
Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a particular place.
Whether: Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives.
Example
The forecast is for brighter weather after days of rain.
He seemed undecided whether to go or stay.
- Wreck/wreak
Incorrect: The plane was reduced to a smouldering wreak.
Correct: The plane was reduced to a smouldering wreck.
Rule
Wreak means to cause a large amount of damage or harm.
Wreck means debris or remainder.
Examples
The wreck of their marriage.
Torrential rainstorms wreaked havoc yesterday.
- Who’s/whose
Incorrect: Whose there?
Correct: Who’s there?
Rule
Who’s: Contraction of who is or who has.
Whose: Belonging to or associated with which person.
Examples
Whose round is it?
Then there’s the blogger who’s only blogging because he has no one else to turn to.
- Averse/adverse
Incorrect: Taxes are having an adverse effect on production.
Correct: Taxes are having an adverse effect on production.
Rule
Averse means having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.
Adverse means harmful or unfavorable
Examples
Adverse weather conditions.
He is averse to smoking.
- “Too….to” format
Incorrect: She is too honest so that she cannot lie.
Correct: She is too honest to lie.
Rule
Don’t use so that in the above sentence structure. It can either be she is too honest to lie or she is so honest that she cannot lie.
Example
John is too weak to walk.
- Before/ago
INCORRECT: He went five minutes before.
CORRECT: He went five minutes ago.
Rule
Ago: Before the present; earlier.
For ago, a specific time must be mentioned.
Examples
I met my wife twenty years ago.
Your boss phoned five minutes ago.
Before: During the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
They lived rough for four days before they were arrested
- Disinterested / uninterested
INCORRECT: He is totally disinterested in Math’s.
CORRECT: He is totally uninterested in Math’s.
Rule
Disinterested: Not influenced by considerations of personal advantage.
Uninterested: Lack of interest.
Example
The financial dispute was settled by a disinterested third party. Many students are uninterested in sports.
- Either is/either are
Incorrect: Either Jack or Joan are correct.
CORRECT: Either Jack or Joan is correct.
Rule
Generally, a singular verb is used with either.
Examples
He will buy either the Honda of the Ford.
I will eat either ice cream or pancakes.
Either the novel or the textbook belongs to John.
However, when we have one singular choice and one plural, then the verb agrees with the nearer one.
Examples
Either the house or flats are for sale.
Either the flats or the house is for sale.
- Each … their/All … their
INCORRECT: Each candidate should have their own stationery.
CORRECT: All candidates should have their own stationery.
Rule
Each is singular and there is plural. So use all.
Examples
All students should have their own lunch.
All employees should use their own computers.
- Better/best
INCORRECT: Who’s the best performer, John or Smith?
CORRECT: Who’s the better performer, John or Smith?
Rule
Use the word better for comparing two people or things and use the word best to compare three or more people or things.
Examples
Which color is better, red or blue?
Smith is the best student in the class.
- These/those
INCORRECT: Do you visit these temples over there?
CORRECT: Do you visit those temples over there?
Rule
The plural of this is these. Use these for nearby things or people.
The plural of that is those. Use those for things or people at a distance.
Examples
You can purchase these dresses now. Later, we may not visit the same mall.
I will purchase those dresses next week when I visit the mall.
- waiting on/waiting for
INCORRECT: She waited on the train, but it didn’t come.
CORRECT: She waited for the bus, but it didn’t come.
Rule
Wait on means to serve.
Wait for means waiting for someone or something.
Examples
A maid was appointed to wait on her.
The children are waiting for their parents.
- Ran/run
INCORRECT: The thief has ran away.
CORRECT: The thief has run away.
Rule
Run is an irregular verb.
Simple past of run: ran
Past participle of run: run
The above sentence is present perfect so past participle (run) has to be used.
Examples
She runs every day.
She ran yesterday.
They have run every day this week.
- Suppose to/supposed to
INCORRECT: I’m supposed to write assignments.
CORRECT: I’m supposed to write assignments.
Rule
Suppose is a verb. Its past participle form is -ed. With a helping verb, its past participle form is used.
Examples
I am supposed to call her.
I am supposed to help her.
- Let he/let him
Incorrect: Let he go there.
Correct: Let him go there
Rule
After let pronoun is used in the objective form.
Examples
Let him call her.
Let her try.
- Whom/who
Incorrect: The person whom we met yesterday was Smith’s uncle.
Correct: The person who we met yesterday was Smith’s uncle.
Rule
Who is used to refer to the subject of a sentence?
Whom is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition?
Ask yourself the question:
Who called me?
OR
Whom called me?
If the answer is he, then who is correct.
If the answer is him, then whom is correct.
So, who called me is the right option.
Examples
Who is the team leader? (He is)
Who ate my sandwich? (He has)
Whom should I call? (Call him)
- We, you, they
Incorrect: You, they and we should go together.
Correct: We, you and they should go together.
Rule
First use personal plural (we), followed by second person plural (you), and the third person plural (they).
- Each other/ one another
Incorrect: They both love one another.
Correct: They both love each other.
Rule
Each other is used for two persons.
One another is used for three or more people.
Examples
The two brothers love each other.
His family members love one another.
- Mathematics is/Mathematics are
Incorrect: Mathematics are his favorite subject.
Correct: Mathematics is his favorite subject.
Rule
The plural verb (are) does not agree with the singular subject Mathematics. There are some nouns that appear to be plural but in actual they are singular. For example, Physics, Robotics, Civics, Diabetes, Mechanics, Billiards, Gymnastics.
Examples
Robotics is the emerging branch of engineering.
She thinks Physics is a difficult subject.
- Know
Incorrect: I know to drive a car.
Correct: I know how to drive a car.
Rule
Know is generally followed by how, when, where and why.
Examples
They know how to write a letter.
She knows how to cook.
- Past tense in subordinate clause
Incorrect: She succeeded because she works hard.
Correct: She succeeded because she worked hard.
Rule
A past tense in the main clause is followed by a past tense in a subordinate clause.
Example
I visited the restaurant as I liked it.
He tried my number because he felt helpless.
- Universal truth
Incorrect: My father said the earth moved round the sun.
Correct: My father said the earth moves round the sun.
Rule
In the case of a universal truth, a past tense in the main clause can be followed by a present tense in a subordinate clause.
Example
Our teacher said the sun rises in the east.
- Present perfect continuous tense
Incorrect: I am waiting for you in the office for the last two hours.
Correct: I have been waiting for you in the office for the last two hours.
Rule
Use Present Perfect Continuous Tense when an action began in the past and it is still going on at the time of speaking. Generally, it is used with adverbs of time (for, since, how long).
Examples
How long have you been working as a trainer?
- Future Indefinite Tense
Incorrect: I will wait for them, till they will finish their work.
Correct: I will wait for them, till they finish their work.
Rule
Present Indefinite Tense is used in the clause of time, place and position. Future Indefinite Tense is not used in this case.
- past Indefinite Tense.
Incorrect: I have completed my project yesterday.
Correct: I completed my project yesterday.
Rule
Use Past Indefinite Tense with the Adverbs of Past time (yesterday, last week, in 2000).
Examples
My mother bought a gift for me yesterday.
We visited Agra last week.
- Some/any
Incorrect: Can I borrow any money?
Correct: Can I borrow some money?
Rule
Some is used in questions for making a request or for offering something.
Any is generally used in negative sentences.
Examples
Would you like some milk? (Offering)
Can I borrow your laptop? (Request)
I don’t have any friends. (Negative)
There isn’t any food left. (Negative)
- Comparing two qualities of the same person.
Incorrect: Jack is wiser than strong.
Correct: Jack is more wise than strong.
Rule
The comparative in -er is not used while comparing two qualities of the same person or thing.
Example
Rohit is wiser than brave.
- Senior than/senior to
Incorrect: She is senior than me.
Correct: She is senior to me.
Rule
To is the right preposition to use with senior
- Phrasal Verb
Incorrect: Smith came across with a beggar.
Correct: Smith came across a beggar.
Rule
Came across is a phrasal verb which means happened to see or spot. So, use of with is unnecessary here.
Example
I came across my aunt.
- Cardinal and Ordinal numbers
Incorrect: The two last columns of the article are not clear.
Correct: The last two columns of the article are not clear.
Rule
A Cardinal Number is used for counting such as one, two, three, four, five.
An Ordinal Number is a number that tells the position of something, such as first, second, fourth, last.
An ordinal number always precedes the cardinal number.
Example
Last two overs were really interesting.
- Missing subject
Incorrect: We noticed the man lying seriously ill and died shortly afterwards.
Correct: We noticed the man lying seriously ill and he died shortly afterwards.
Rule
The subject was missing after the conjunction and. So, add subject he to complete the sentence.
- Neither nor
Incorrect: The Company decided not to appoint him neither for the position of clerk nor for that of a stenographer.
Correct: The Company decided to appoint him neither for the position of clerk nor for that of a stenographer.
Rule
Neither nor makes a statement negative. So, we use of not is extra.
Example
I eat neither chocolate nor ice cream.
- Habit to/ habit of
Incorrect: She has the habit to arrive late.
Correct: She has the habit of arriving late.
Rule
The word habit is followed by of + ing.
Examples
I have the habit of going to bed early.
She has the habit of biting nails.
- The number is / the number are
Incorrect: The number of vehicles are increasing on the road.
Correct: The number of vehicles is increasing on the road.
Rule
The number of…. is treated as singular, so singular verb (is) should follow it.
A number of…. is treated as plural, so plural verb (are) should follow it.
Examples
The number of animals is decreasing.
A number of people are going to the movies.
- Collocations
Incorrect: The reason I have been unable to pay the bill is due to fact that I did not receive pay on time.
Correct: The reason I have been unable to pay the bill is due to the fact that I did not receive pay on time.
Rule
Collocations are a pair or group of words that are habitually used together. Strong tea and heavy drinker are typical English collocations. It is due to the fact is also a collocation.
- Superfluous errors (Repetition of words having the same meaning)
Incorrect: You must have to complete your assignment.
Correct: You have to complete your assignment.
Rule
Either use must or have to because both have the same meaning.
Examples
You have to be more cautious.
You must call him.
- As well as
Incorrect: The ring as well as necklaces are available at the shop.
Correct: The ring as well as necklaces is available at the shop.
Rule
As well as follows the primary subject. The primary subject, the ring is singular so singular verb (is) should be used.
- Missing article before the Epic
Incorrect: Gita is his favorite holy book.
Correct: The Gita is his favorite holy book.
Rule
The Gita is the epic so the is used before it.
Example
The Mahabharata is the longest epic.
- Emphasizes/emphasizes on
Incorrect: Our teacher emphasizes on the need for a lot of practice.
Correct: Our teacher emphasizes the need for a lot of practice.
Rule
The word emphasizes means features. So, the preposition on is unnecessary after emphasizes.
- Admission for/admission to
Incorrect: The ticket grants admission for the show.
Correct: The ticket grants admission to the show.
Rule
To is the right preposition after admission.
- Preposition after but
Incorrect: He does nothing but to find faults with others.
Correct: He does nothing but find faults with others.
Rule
But is not followed by a preposition in the phrase.
Example
He does nothing but sits in front of the TV all day.
- Blind with/ Blind in
Incorrect: Ram is blind with one eye.
Correct: Ram is blind in one eye.
Rule
With is used for accompanying/together. So, in is the right preposition to use after blind.
- Use of the indefinite pronoun ‘one’.
Incorrect: One should respect the religion of others as much as his own.
Correct: One should respect the religion of others as much as one’s own.
Rule
The pronoun ones should follow the one. The pronoun his follows he.
Examples
He is responsible for his behaviors.
One should realize one’s responsibilities.
- Hard/hardly
Incorrect: It is a hardly job.
Correct: It is a hard job.
Rule
Hardly means rarely
Hard means difficult or tough.
Examples
He hardly gets up early.
I hardly knew any answer.
The question is really hard.
- Early/soon
Incorrect: He’ll be home early.
Correct: He’ll be home soon.
Rule
Early: Happening or done before the usual or expected time.
Soon: In or after a short time.
Examples
We ate an early lunch.
Everyone will soon know the truth.
- Listen/listen to
Incorrect: She is listening music.
Correct: She is listening to music.
Rule
Intransitive verb listening follows a preposition too.
Example
I like to listen to music.