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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere are the golden error spotting rules for mains exams: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A rule is mentioned first, and then a correct or incorrect statement is given to make you understand the application of that rule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule 1 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
“If two different singular nouns express one idea, the verb should be in a singular form.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorrect – Bread and butter are good for breakfast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Correct \u2013 Bread and butter is good for breakfast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, the usage of the word “are” was wrong because bread and butter are complementary pairs that are written or expressed via a singular verb and not a plural one. Such pairs include demand and supply, life and death, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule 2 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
“Two or more singular subjects connected by and usually take a Verb in the Plural.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorrect \u2013 Tom and Jerry is here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Correct \u2013 Tom and Jerry are here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always use a plural verb to describe two singular subjects if they are connected with the word “And.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule 3 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
“A great many” is always followed by a plural noun and a plural verb <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorrect – A great many vaccines has been declared successful <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Correct – A great many vaccines have been declared successful <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can’t use “has”, a singular verb, when the sentence has “a great many” mentioned because a great many is itself plural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some nouns which are singular in form but plural in meaning take a singular verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Biology are a branch of study in every school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 Biology is a branch of study in every school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many such words have unique properties. For example, they are singular but have plural meanings. Other such words are \u2013 Mathematics, Cardiology, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If two or more actions took place in a sequence, use Simple Past to denote the actions. (Otherwise, Past Perfect is used to denote the earlier action) This is usually used with the conjunction ‘before’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 He switched on the fan before he opens the door <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 He switched on the fan before he opened the door <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Although\/Though is followed by “yet” and not by “but”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 Though he is emotionally weak, but he never gives up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect – Though he is emotionally weak yet he never gives up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “No sooner” is followed by “than” <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 No sooner had I entered the class when the students stood up <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – No sooner had I entered the class than the students stood up <\/p>\n\n\n\n “No sooner” error spotting questions are often asked in the banking exams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘So’ is followed by ‘That’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 He is so rude so he can’t make friends <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 He is so rude that he can’t make friends <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since is used for indicating a point of time whereas for is used for the length of time <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 It’s been raining outside for Monday last. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – It’s been raining outside since Monday last. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “As if” is used to convey the sense of pretension. When ‘as if’ is used in this sense, ‘were’ is used in all cases, even with third person singular <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 She acted as if she was my school principal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 She acted as if she were my school principal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Else should be followed by ‘but.’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect – It is nothing else than sheer frustration <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – It is nothing else than sheer frustration <\/p>\n\n\n\n When gerunds (verb + ing are used as nouns) are used as the subject of a sentence, they take the singular verb form of the verb; but, when they are linked by and, they take the plural form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 Playing cricket and surfing in the ocean is my hobbies <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect – Playing cricket and surfing in the ocean are my hobbies <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some nouns always take a singular verb <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Mohammad Rafi has sung a lot of classics songs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Mohammad Rafi has sung a lot of classic songs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many such nouns when used in a sentence that will make you think that a plural should be used but instead, they are always used as singular nouns and are attached with singular verbs. For example \u2013 poetry, innings, repair, economics, physics, ethics, news, business, bedding, furniture, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some nouns are singular in meaning, but they are used as plural nouns and always take a plural verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 All the cattles went for grazing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – All the cattle went for grazing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some nouns are always used in a plural form and always take a plural verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect – Blue jeans was first patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis on May 20, 1873. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Blue jeans were first patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis on May 20, 1873. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many nouns such as jeans, trousers, spectacles, goods, stockings, scissors, tidings, premises, thanks, chattels, shorts, measles, alms, are always used in plural forms and always take a plural verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money, weight, or number. When they are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged in form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 I will stick with my current job as the money are still good there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 I will stick with my current job as the money is still good there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nouns like foot, meter, year, hundred, million, dozen, head, pair, fall in this category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the collective nouns such as jury, team, government, public, audience, company, etc. Are used both as singular and plural. It depends on their usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rajhya Sabha was unanimous over the final bill verdict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The above sentence has no error because the collective noun used is singular in nature and has a singular verb attached to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect – The Rajhya Sabha was at sixes and sevens over the final bill verdict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – The Rajhya Sabha were at sixes and sevens over the final bill verdict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u2018sixes and sevens indicate that the Rajhya Sabha got divided and now the sentence is referring about the Rajhya Sabha\u2019s members and not as a unanimous body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some nouns have one meaning in singular and another in plural. For example \u2013 Authority = command, and Authorities = people in power, Good = wise, Goods = physical property <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Virat Kohli took advices from Sachin Tendulkar with regards to his batting before leaving for the England cricket tour of India. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Virat Kohli took advice from Sachin Tendulkar with regards to his batting before leaving for the England cricket tour of India. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Advices would mean seeking information and advice means to seek tips or suggestions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number, and gender <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 When a teacher doesn\u2019t agree with their student\u2019s demands, the teacher should not support that demand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – When a teacher doesn\u2019t agree with his or her student\u2019s demands, the teacher should not support that demand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The teacher is used as a singular, so it should be followed by a singular verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While using \u2018everybody\u2019 \u2018everyone\u2019, \u2018anybody\u2019, and \u2018each\u2019 the pronoun of the masculine or the feminine gender is used according to the context. But when sex is not mentioned, we use the pronoun of the masculine gender. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Each of the seven surgeons in the hospital has successfully completed their surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Each of the seven surgeons in the hospital has successfully completed his surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When a singular and a plural noun are joined by \u2018or\u2019, \u2018nor\u2019, the pronoun must be plural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Either the doctor or the nurses failed in his duty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Either the doctor or the nurses failed in their duty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Whose\u2019 is used for living persons and \u2018which\u2019 for lifeless objects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Which book did you select? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whose bag is lying there? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use of elder, older. \u2018Elder\u2019 is used for persons of the same family. \u2018Older\u2019 refers to persons as well as things and is followed by \u2018than.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Harish is elder than all the academy students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Harish is older than all the academy students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the subject is \u2018the number of\u2019 the singular verb is used. And when the expression (\u2018a + number + of) is used, plural verb is used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 The number of egg trays are quite a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – The number of egg trays is quite a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 A number of students is failed the exam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – A number of students have failed the exam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A noun, usually forms its plural by adding \u2018-s\u2019 at the end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g. dog – dogs, pigeon – pigeons <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most nouns ending in \u2018f\u2019 or \u2018fe\u2019 change into \u2018-ves\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g. leaf – leaves, knife \u2013 knives Exceptions: staffs, cliffs, chiefs, roofs, safes <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nouns ending in \u2018y\u2019 add \u2018s\u2019 if the \u2018y\u2019 follows a vowel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g., toy \u2013 toys, ray \u2013 rays <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nouns ending in \u2018y\u2019 change the \u2018y\u2019 to \u2018-ies\u2019 if the \u2018y\u2019 follows a consonant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g. baby \u2013 babies, story \u2013 stories <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most nouns ending in \u2018o\u2019 form their plurals by adding \u2018-es\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g., tornado \u2013 tornadoes, echo \u2013 echoes Exceptions: pianos, solos, bamboos <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nouns ending in \u2018s\u2019, \u2018ss\u2019, \u2018ch\u2019, \u2018sh\u2019, \u2018x\u2019, or \u2018z\u2019 add \u2018es\u2019 to form plurals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g., gas \u2013 gases, grass \u2013 grasses, branch \u2013 branches <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the sound is ee and alphabets used are \u2018i\u2019and \u2018e\u2019: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) \u2018e\u2019 comes first, when they come after \u2018c\u2019 E.g., deceive, receive <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) \u2018i\u2019 comes first in all other cases <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g., pie, grief Exceptions: seize, weird <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the words \u2018all\u2019 and \u2018full\u2019 are used to make up longer words, one \u2018l\u2019 is dropped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n E.g., always, cheerful <\/p>\n\n\n\n When adding \u2018dis\u2019 and \u2018mis\u2019 to other words, the \u2018s\u2019 is always kept, even if the other word begins with an \u2018s\u2019. E.g., Misspell <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Where’, ‘When’ & ‘Why’ as Relative Pronoun <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although there is no place for these three words in the formal English, but we are still habitual in using them. Let\u2019s understand this by taking three different examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Case 1 – Where’ as a relative pronoun – Places <\/p>\n\n\n\n Informal \u2013 This is the temple where I visited last year for my prayers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Formal – This is the temple at which I visited last year for my prayers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Case 2 – ‘When’ as a relative pronoun \u2013 Times <\/p>\n\n\n\n Informal \u2013 The day when I joined my first job was a day to be remembered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Formal \u2013 The day on which I joined my first job was a day to be remembered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Case 3 – ‘Why’ as a relative pronoun – ‘Reasons’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you know the reason why our boss fired our co-employee? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you know the reason for which our boss fired our co-employee? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The hyphenated noun does not have a plural form <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 I always stay at five-stars hotels whenever I visit a new city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect – I always stay at five-star hotels whenever I visit a new city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hyphenated (compound nouns) are always used in singular form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Superlative degree, none, no one, anyone, much, little, (the same + noun,) (the only + noun) are followed by \u2018that\u2019 relative noun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Julie is the smartest girl who I ever met <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Julie is the smartest girl that I ever met <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Noun or Pronoun governing a Gerund should be put in the possessive case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 My father doesn\u2019t like me partying late night with my friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – My father doesn\u2019t like my partying late night with my friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After let, if a Pronoun is used, that Pronoun must be in the objective case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Let she go to the Himalayas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Let her go to the Himalayas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the sentence begins with \u2018it\u2019, the verb is used according to the subject. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 It is I who is being punished for my sins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – It is I who am being punished for my sins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If \u2018it\u2019s high time\/ it\u2019s about time\/ it’s time is used in sentence, v2 (past form of verb) comes in the sentence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 It’s high time you start taking mock tests seriously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – It’s high time you started taking mock tests seriously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While expressing a positive idea or [raise, the sequence of the personal pronouns should be as follows: <\/p>\n\n\n\n You, Rajesh and I have finished our homework <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Second person, third person, and first person) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 She, I, and Ramesh have won the chess competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – She, Ramesh, and I have won the chess competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After \u2018But\u2019, \u2018Except\u2019, \u2018Between\u2019 and \u2018Let\u2019 the pronoun is used in objective case, whereas after \u2018such as\u2019 in the subjective case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 None attended the ceremony expect she. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – None attended the ceremony expect her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Some\u2019 is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or degree. \u2018Any\u2019 is used in negative or interrogative sentences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 I will not buy some raw material from this vendor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct \u2013 I will not buy any raw material from this vendor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We use \u2018a lot of\u2019 or \u2018lots\u2019 with both countable and uncountable nouns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example \u2013 There was a lot of rain last week. (Rain = uncountable) <\/p>\n\n\n\n There were a lot of people at the banquet hall. (people = countable\/plural) <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with plural meaning the plural verb is used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Three-quarters of the food is been eaten <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Three-quarters of the food has been eaten <\/p>\n\n\n\n In sports, while referring to the players, the name of the country is followed by a plural verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 India have won the Hockey Olympic finals this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – India has won the Hockey Olympic finals this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Titles of books, movies, novels, etcetera are treated as singular and take a singular verb <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 The Lord of the Rings are a collection of epic fantasy tales which makes it a classic read for fiction lovers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – The Lord of the Rings is a collection of epic fantasy tales which makes it a classic read for fiction lovers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If two infinitives are separated by \u2018and\u2019 they take the plural form of the verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 To bat and to bowl requires great skill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – To bat and to bowl require great skill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although\/Though is followed by yet or a comma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 Though he became a successful man he isn\u2019t happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Though he became a successful man yet he isn\u2019t happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – Though he became a successful man, he isn\u2019t happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Always use correct pair \u2013 No sooner…. than, hardly…. when or before, barely…. when or before, etc. Do not use not, no, never with the clause containing these words. If a sentence starts with a negative word, use inversion form, i.e., helping verb before the subject. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorrect \u2013 No sooner had he scored a century when he was applauded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct – No sooner had he scored a century than he was applauded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might want to subscribe to our push notifications for such daily valuable articles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRule 4 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rule 5 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRule 40 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRule 43 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRule 47 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Rule 50 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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