Page 71 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

Unit 4: Functional Grammar: Common Errors

Explanation: The sentence is a combination Notes
of two sentences, or we say the sentence shows
two actions in the past tense, i.e.
(i) The pick pocket was arrested.
(ii) His pockets searched.
In part (iii) of the sentence, we find that the
helping word is missing. Since the subject
is plural and the tense is past, we have to
use were to complete the sentence.
4. Ten were killed and one taken prisoner. 4. Ten were killed and one was taken prisoner.
5. Hinduism is in existence from time 5. Hinduism has been in existence from time
immemorial. immemorial.
6. I have never and will never abuse your 6. I have never abused and will never abuse
brother. your brother.
7. I asked him why he walked forward in the 7. I asked him why he had walked forward in
open field like that. the open field like that.
Note: When the reporting verb is in the
past tense, the past tense in the reported
speech is changed into past perfect tense.
8. All that is typically human was due to 8. All that is typically human is due to
language. language.
Note: The sentence is a case of universal
truth.
9. The patient died before the doctor arrived. 9. The patient had died before the doctor
arrived.
10. I have passed the M.A. examination in 1981. 10. I passed the M.A. examination is 1981.
11. Every chair and every table in the room 11. Every chair and every table in the room
were in order. was in order.
12. Sushma as well as her mother were 12. Sushma as well as her mother was
honoured by the President. honoured by the President.
13. The Tale of Two Cities are an interesting 13. The Tale of Two Cities is an interesting novel.
novel. Note: The Tale of Two Cities is the title of a
book. Hence, the verb used must be singular.
14. You mistake in thinking that I am against 14. You are mistaken in thinking that I am
you. against you.
15. Hard work and honesty are needed for 15. Hard work and honesty is needed for
success in life. success in life.
16. Many a battle were fought on the soil of 16. Many a battle was fought on the soil of India.
India
17. He married his daughter. 17. He got his daughter married.
18. Mohan is one of those boys who has 18. Mohan is one of those boys who have
expressed his willingness for joining the expressed their willingness for joining the
educational tour. educational tour.
19. The criminal will be hung in the Ambala 19. The criminal will be hanged in the Ambala
Central Jail. Central Jail.
20. If I will reach late, I shall be punished. 20. If I reach late, I shall be punished.
21. If wishes were horses, beggars may ride. 21. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

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