Important Spotting Error Rules

Important Spotting Error Rules

1.‘Than ‘ should be used after ‘no other’

Example:

I met no other man but Mr. Roy. (Incorrect)

I met no other man than Mr. Roy. (Correct)

2.After the word ‘Know’, ‘how, or ‘when’ should be used before using an infinitive.

Example :

I know to write French . (Incorrect)

I know how to write French. (Correct)

3.A verb may take an infinitive or a gerund according to its implication. If the verb indicates a purpose, an infinitive should be used and if the verb indicates a cause, a gerund should be used.

Example : 

He went to school for seeing the principal.(Incorrect ) 

He went to school to see the principal.    (Correct) 

He was turned out to copy answers.(Incorrect)

He was turned out for copying answers.(Correct) 

4.Adverb ‘as' is not used with verbs like ‘appointed’, ‘elected’ , ‘considered’, ‘called’ but it is used with ‘regard’.

Example: 

He was elected as President of our society.(Incorrect) 

He was elected President of our society.(Correct) 

I regard Ramesh my friend(Incorrect) 

I regard Ramesh as my friend(Correct)  

5.Often a mistake is committed is the use of adjectives and adverbs. An adjective is correctly used with the verb when some quality of the subject, rather than of the action of the verb, is to be expressed.

Example: 

The flowers smelt sweetly.(Incorrect) 

The flowers smelt sweet.(Correct) 

6.It is common practice in conversation to make statement and ask for confirmation; as , ‘it’ is very hot, isn’t it? Two points are to be kept in mind. If the statement is positive, the pattern will be 

Auxiliary + n’t + Subject

If the statement is negative, the pattern will be 

Auxiliary + subject

Example: 

It is raining, is it? (Incorrect)

It is raining isn’t it? (Correct) 

You are not busy, aren’t you?(Incorrect)

You are not busy, are you?(Correct) 

7.‘The two first’ is a meaningless expression for it implies that two things may be first. We should say ‘the first two’.

Example : 

The two first chapters of novel are dull. (Incorrect )

The first two chapters of the novel are dull. ( Correct) 

8.‘Only’ should be placed immediately before the word it qualifies.

Example : 

He only lost his ticket in the stampede. ( Incorrect)

Only he lost his ticket in the stampede. (Correct) 

9.An infinitive verb should not be split.

Example : 

I request you to kindly help me. ( Incorrect)

I request you kindly to help me. (Correct) 

10.Care should be taken in the use of verbs

Example : 

The doctor saw the pulse of the patient. (Incorrect)

The doctor felt the pulse of the patient.  (Correct)