Some mistakes in the use of tenses

Past

Incorrect: I have seen him yesterday.

Incorrect: I had seen him yesterday.
Correct: I saw him yesterday.
Explanation
The present perfect tense is not used with adverbs of past time. Although past perfect
tense can be used with adverbs of past time, it is not used to simply say that something
happened some time ago. That meaning is expressed with the simple past tense.

I sent the money yesterday. (NOT I had sent the money yesterday. / NOT I have
sent the money yesterday.)

I finished that report last week. (NOT I had finished that report last week. / NOT I
have finished that report last week.)
I visited my parents last week. (NOT I had visited my parents last week. / NOT I
have visited my parents last week.)

The past perfect tense is only used to talk about the earlier of two past actions.

Using would

Would is used in second conditional sentences to talk about unreal or imaginary

situations.

Compare:

I would want to buy a car if I got my raise. (Here we are talking about an unreal
situation.)
I want to buy a car. (Here we are simply talking about a desire.)
I would want to try those sweets if they werent so expensive.
Sentences like I would want to buy a car are not normally used without a condition.

Head-bath
This is an expression that most native English speakers do not use or understand. Few
dictionaries mention the phrase head-bath the few that do state that this expression
is mainly used in Indian English.
When an Indian speaker says that he has a head-bath every day, what he means is
that he washes his head or hair every day. To express the same idea, a native English
speaker would say, I wash my hair every day.
What does the word ranker mean?
A ranker is a commissioned officer who has been promoted from the enlisted status.
This word cannot be used to refer to a person who performs well in an examination. To
express that idea you can use the expression rank holder.
However, in India it is not uncommon for parents and teachers to label every student
who has secured decent marks a ranker. Remember that native English speakers do
not use the word ranker to refer to a brilliant student who scores good marks or secures
a rank.
Office hours or office timings
The word office timings doesnt exist in native English. Instead, native speakers use an
expression like office hours or working hours.
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Correct the mistakes

Correct the following sentences.

1. The car either dashed against a goat or a donkey.

The car dashed against either a goat or a donkey
2. Neither he would eat nor he allow us to eat.
He would neither eat nor allow us to eat
3. He enquired that where was the office.
He enquired where the office was
4. He asked that what was my name.
He asked that what my name was
5. Alice is as tall if not taller than Mary.
Alice is as tall as Mary, if not taller.
6. Though he was poor but he was happy.
Though he was poor, he was happy
7. Hardly I had reached the station when the train steamed out.
Hardly had I reached the station when the train steamed out.

Notes
The correlatives eitheror, neithernor, bothand, not onlybut
also should go immediately before the words they relate to.

The relative pronoun that cannot be used before interrogatives like what, where,
when, whether and why.

Sentences beginning with negative words like hardly, scarcely and no

sooner follow the inverted word order. That means the auxiliary verb comes
before the subject.

Good Vs Well
Good is an adjective. It is used to modify a noun. Well is an adverb. It is used to modify
a verb.
Incorrect: She sings good.
Correct: She sings well.

Incorrect: She can speak English good.

Correct: She can speak good English. / She can speak English well.

Incorrect: Our team played good yesterday.

Correct: Our team played well yesterday.

A good player plays well. (NOT A good player plays good.)

Everyone/ everybody and every one / every body
Everyone / everybody is a pronoun. It is used to refer to all the people in a group.
I want everyone to come to my birthday party.
Everybody has turned up.
Every one
Every one and every body refer to each one in a group.
I have invited every one of my friends to my birthday party.
Every one of my students wants to learn English.

Then vs. Than

Then is an adverb of time.

We were living in France then.

Will you still be here then?
Then can also mean next, after that and afterwards.
We will go to Paris first, then to Rome.

Than
Than is used for comparisons.
Jack is taller than Peter.
Than is used in expressions like none other than and nothing else than.
I met none other than my old friend Peter today.
It was nothing else than bad luck that they lost the game.

So do I, neither did I
The structure so + auxiliary + subject is used to add a positive remark to a positive
statement.
My father likes theater. So do I. (= Both my father and me like theater.)
I am interested in the supernatural. So am I.
My sister wants to be a pilot. So do I. (= Both of us want to be pilots.)

Neither do I

The structure neither + auxiliary verb + subject is used to add a negative remark to a
negative statement.
James didnt come. Neither did Peter.
My mother doesnt eat meat. Neither do I.
I havent seen a good movie for a long time. Neither have I.
He wont be able to attend the conference. Neither will I.

Such and so
Such is used before a noun (with or without an adjective).
She is such a beautiful girl.

So is used before an adjective.

She is so beautiful.
Sothat, suchthat
Such in suchthat is followed by a noun phrase or its equivalent.
It was such a cold afternoon that we didnt go out.
So in sothat is followed by an adjective.
It was so cold that we didnt go out.
Sentence correction exercise

1. a) He asked had we taken our food. / b) He asked if we had taken our food.
2. a) He asked where I was going. / b) He asked that where I was going.
3. a) He asked to her why she was angry. / b) He asked her why she was angry.

4. a) No one cared for him after his wife died. / b) No one took care of him after his wife
had died.
5. a) When I went there I found that the bag had disappeared. / b) When I went there I
found that the bag was disappeared.
6. a) I did not stop because he had gone out before I arrived. / b) I did not stop because
he went out before I arrived.
7. a) When I go to Bombay I will see him. / b) When I will go to Bombay I will see him.
Answers
1. He asked if we had taken our food.
2. He asked where I was going.
3. He asked her why she was angry.
4. No one took care of him after his wife had died.
5. When I went there I found that the bag had disappeared.
6. I did not stop because he had gone out before I arrived.
7. When I go to Bombay I will see him
Read more at http://www.englishpractice.com/common-mistakes/sentence-correctionexercise-2/#VuomC18CcBXVTLc5.99 Correct the following sentences Exercise 2
Correct the following sentences.
Incorrect: Every people know this.
Correct: Every man knows this.
Correct: Everybody / everyone knows this.
Every should be followed by a singular verb. Note that everyone should be written as
one word.
Incorrect: These all mangoes are ripe.
Correct: All these mangoes are ripe. These mangoes are all ripe. All of
these mangoes are ripe.
All is a group B determiner while these is a group A determiner. A group B determiner
cannot be used after a group A determiner. However, there are a few exceptions to this

rule. The group B determiners many, most, little, least and few can be used after
group A determiners. To learn more, refer to the article on determiners.
Incorrect: He held the bag in the both hands.
Correct: He held the bag in both his hands. OR He held the bag in both hands.
The cannot be used before both.
Incorrect: I have no any friends.
Correct: I have no friends. OR I havent got any friends. OR I dont have any friends.
No is enough to make a sentence negative. We dont have to use any with no.
Incorrect: Both men have not come.
Correct: Neither man has come.
Incorrect: Both answers are not correct.
Correct: Neither answer is correct.
We do not usually use both in negative sentences. Instead we use neither. Note
that neither is followed by a singular noun.
Read more at http://www.englishpractice.com/common-mistakes/correct-sentencesexercise-2/#6xRRy8bjGVaOG4Bh.99 orrect the following sentences Exercise 1
Incorrect: One should not waste his time.
Correct: One should not waste ones time.
Correct: A man / boy / girl / woman should not waste his / her time.
The indefinite pronoun one when used in a sentence should be used throughout.
Incorrect: Have you a pen? I havent got.
Correct: Have you a pen? I havent got one.
Got is a transitive verb. It must have an expressed object.
Incorrect: He enjoyed during the holidays.
Correct: He enjoyed himself during the holidays.
Enjoy is a transitive verb. It should be followed by an expressed object.
Incorrect: I asked for his book, but he did not lend me.
Correct: I asked for his book, but he did not lend it to me.
Some transitive verbs (e.g. give, lend etc.) should have two expressed objects.

Incorrect: The boy who does best he will get a prize.

Correct: The boy who does best will get a prize.
Incorrect: Whoever works hard he will win.
Correct: Whoever works hard will win.
Incorrect: The girl who answered the phone she was polite.
Correct: The girl who answered the phone was polite.
Incorrect: I shall see the brakes whether they work well.
Correct: I shall see whether the brakes work well.
Incorrect: He has got a new girlfriend who she works in a bar.
Correct: He has got a new girlfriend who works in a bar.
One subject or object in a clause is enough. We dont have to use a pronoun when the
noun itself is present in the clause.
Read more at http://www.englishpractice.com/common-mistakes/correct-sentencesexercise-1/#XcXcvGcL1ijJLeu3.99 Common errors miscellaneous

Incorrect: My hairs are grey.

Correct: My hair is grey.
Hair is an uncountable noun in English and as such it does not have a plural form.

Incorrect: I availed of this opportunity.

Correct: I availed myself of this opportunity.
Incorrect: I enjoyed during the holidays.
Correct: I enjoyed myself during the holidays.
To talk about having a good time, we use enjoy yourself, enjoy myself etc.

Incorrect: He is guilty, isnt it?

Correct: He is guilty, isnt he?

Incorrect: The gold is a precious metal.
Correct: Gold is a precious metal.
Material nouns are used without articles.
Incorrect: It is raining for four hours.
Correct: It has been raining for four hours.
To talk about an event that started in the past and has been continuing up to the
present, we use a present perfect continuous tense.
Incorrect: Work hard lest you may fail.
Correct: Work hard lest you should fail.
The only auxiliary verb that can be used after lest is should.
Incorrect: Please describe us your wife.
Correct: Please describe your wife to us.
Incorrect: Could you suggest me a good dentist?
Correct: Could you suggest a good dentist to me?
The verbs explain, suggest and describe cannot be used with the structure indirect
object + direct object.
Incorrect: He is cleverest of the four brothers.
Correct: He is the cleverest of the four brothers.
We use the article the with superlative adjectives.
Incorrect: Choose the best of the two options.
Correct: Choose the better of the two options.
When a group has just two members, we use the comparative instead of the superlativ
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Read more at http://www.englishpractice.com/common-mistakes/common-errors-verbsadverbs-part-iv/#AOqMt2Bp3U7MqKBJ.99

2015 css
Correct only hive of the following sentences:
1. Have either of you seen my pen?
Have anyone of you seen my pen?
2. On attempting to restore the picture to its original condition, almost irreparable change
was discovered.
In an attempt to restore the picture to its original condition, almost irreparable change
was discovered.
3. This child is the prettiest of two.
This child is prettier of the two.
4. I was annoyed arriving late, also his rather insolent manner put me out of temper.
I was annoyed to arrive late and his rather insolent manner put me out of temper.
5. He is anxious not only to acquire knowledge, but also eager to display it.
He is not only anxious to acquire knowledge, but also eager to display it.
6. If he was here now, we should have no difficulty.
If he were here now, we should have no difficulty.
7. Due to unforeseen environments, we shall have to leave early.
We shall have to leave early due to unforeseen environments.
8. People have and still do disagree on this matter.
People have disagreed and still do disagree on this matter.
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences:
(i)
Climbing down the stairs, he fell head long.
While climbing down the stairs, he fell head long.
(ii)

Tell me the last news of war.

Tell me the latest news of war.

(iii)

They decided for starting on their journey.

They decided to start their journey.

(iv)
(v)

He denied to accept the invitation.

He refused to accept the invitation.
The jury were unanimous in their verdict.
The jury was unanimous in their verdict.

(vi)

Whom was she talking?

Whom was she talking to?
To whom was she talking?

(vii)

The population of Karachi is greater than any other town in

Pakistan.
The population of Karachi is greater than that of any other town in
Pakistan.

(viii) I went there with a view to get first hand information.

(viii) Though he has enough money, but he will not purchase a house.
Though he has enough money, he will not purchase a house.
(ix)

I don't know the reason why he dislikes me.

I dont know why he dislikes me

2. YEAR 2004 (GROUP II)

Correct any FIVE of the following sentences.
(i)
Open this knot.
Untie the knot.
(ii)
He does not care for his money.
(iii) He behaved cowardly.(adj)
He behaved like a coward or in a cowardly manner.
(iv)

I am ill since three months.

I have been ill for three months.

(v)
(vi)

Send this letter on my home address.

There is nothing such as chance.
There is no such thing like chance

(vii)

My friend told me that he is not to blame.

My friend told me that he was not to be blamed.

(viii) The judge disposed the case at once.

The judge disposed of the case at once.
(ix) No sooner I had fallen than they ran away.
(ix) What to speak of French, he does not know even English.
What to speak of French, he does not even know English.

3. YEAR 2005 (GROUP I)

Correct any FIVE of the following sentences.
(i)
He or she is a thief.
Either he or she is a thief.
(ii)

Certificates are attached herewith.

Certificates are attacked alongwith.

(iii)

She died from cancer.

She died of cancer.

(iv) No sooner he left than the storm broke.

(iv) I would sooner quit than to do it.
I would soon quit than to do it
(vi) Slower you move, greater the time you take.
(vii) They considered him as a great fool.
They considered him a great fool.
(viii) She was too pleased to hear the news.
(x)
He walks as if he is lame.
He walks as if he were lame.
(xi)

One can learn his lesson if he applies his mind to it.

4. YEAR 2005 (GROUP II)

Correct any FIVE of the following sentences.
(i)
For goodness's sake leave my alone.
For God sake leave me alone.
(ii)
She is more intelligent of the two.
(iii)
(iii) Who do you want to see?
(iv) Let Sabiha and I go there.
Let sabiha and me go there.
(v) We saw much less films than last years.
(vi) Between you and I, he is a cheat.
Between you and me, he is a cheat.
(vii) The climate of Multan is better than Lahore.
The climate of Multan is better than that of Lahore.
(viii) I only did two sums.
(x)
Latest part of the book is very difficult.
The latest part of the book is very difficult.

(xi)

There is a little truth in your statement.

There is a less truth in your statement.

5. YEAR 2006 (GROUP I)

Correct any FIVE of the following sentences.
(i)
They found that the ship is leaking.
They found that the ship was leaking.
(ii)

He was arrested under the charge of stealing.

He was arrested on the charges of stealing.

(iii)

He is sitting besides his mother.

Beside

(iv)

So nice a man I have never seen.

I have never seen such a nice man.

(v)

Faisalabad is Manchester of Pakistan.

Faisalabad is the Manchester of Pakistan.

(vi)

The gold is more costly than the silver.

The gold is costlier than the silver.

(vii)

He is a man of words.
He is a man of word.

(viii) What is this book's price?

What is the price of this book?
(ix)

His hairs have turned white.

His hair have turned white.

(x)

Either he or I are right.

Either he or me are right.

6. YEAR 2006 (GROUP II)

Correct any FIVE of the following sentences.
(i) I met him prior than his departure for Karachi.
prior to
(ii) He is the ablest and efficient teacher.
He is the ablest and more efficient teacher.
(iii) They did their duty should be rewarded.
(v)
It is no doubt that the man is dead.

There is no doubt that the man is dead.

(v) I doubt that he will come.
(vi) No sooner he left than the storm broke.
(vii) He likes me reading the novel.
(viii) I asked him what he ate.
(ix) He ran as fast as he could run.
(x) I said it in his face.
7. YEAR 2007 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempt will
be marked.)
(i) He made three goals in the last match.
(ii) When Amjad or his brother visits us we are delighted.
(iii) He asked me where I came from.
(iv) There is little to do in such a hopeless case as this.
(v) He always had hatred against inefficiency.
(vi) You ought to have treated him you equal.
(vii) He enjoys the most worldwide reputation.
(viii) The boy who was promoted, he was my brother.
(ix) He availed of the opportunity.
(x) I would sooner quit than to do it.
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8. YEAR 2007 (GROUP II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) He is M.A. while his friend is B.A.
(ii) He has been died today.
(iii) He is hardly hit by the bank's failure.
(iv) This is another side of the question.
(v) The debate was now coming to a close.
(vi) He ran three hundred meters race.
(vii) My tooth is paining very badly.
(viii) Najma eats like Salma does.
(ix) He has lit up the fire of reform.
(x) I did not know that honesty was the best policy.
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9. YEAR 2008 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked)
(i) Our parents may be resembled to a tree which gives us cool shade.
(ii) I do not know where was he at that time.
(iii) I request you not to cut jokes in class.
(iv) If I fail in this examination I will give the next.
(v) We met at the house of a mutual friend to make peace.
(vi) Have you heard of your son's robbery?

(vii) The downfall of the king is to be attributed to nothing else than pride.
(viii) If you do not come, then I shall not help you.
(ix) Scarcely had he gone than a policeman knocked at the door.
(x) Have you seen her latest photograph.
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10. YEAR 2008 (GROUP II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (In case of over
attempt only the First Five will be marked.)
(i) Poetries have their appeal to the heart.
(ii) This poultry belongs to him.
(iii) Unless you don't work hard, you cannot secure good marks.
(iv) I hate those sorts of men.
(v) He has been operated.
(vi) He is such a man who is linked by everyone.
(vii) He said to them if can you help me.
(viii) The rotten mangoes smell badly.
(ix) Please, do the needful.
(x) Leave was availed at once.
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11. YEAR 2009 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) Saleem and I am enemies.
(ii) He has often beat me at tennis.
(iii) He was born in nineteen hundred eighteen.
(iv) I have not seen you since a long time.
(v) The time passed off quickly.
(vi) I cannot pull on my work.
(vii) Write with ink.
(viii) I do not care for these sorts of things.
(ix) She is not clever to do it.
(x) He is a coward boy.
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12. YEAR 2009 (GROUP II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) My brother's only help were his friends.
(ii) These two boys hate one another.
(iii) We should pray God every morning.
(iv) It is half past five in my watch.
(v) He availed of the leave.
(vi) He visited many worth-seeing places.
(vii) Neither he comes, nor he writes.
(viii) Why he wrote that foolish letter?
(ix) I shall stay at Murree for few days.
(x) He only is responsible for this act.

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13. YEAR 2010 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) There is a best teacher in that class.
(ii) These all pears are ripe.
(iii) He is reading at the medical college.
(iv) Few people attended the meeting.
(v) The man is selfish by nature.
(vi) I seldom or ever take medicine.
(vii) The child died at three year old.
(viii) Not a line of the lectures were written.
(ix) He is bent to do it.
(x) It is much hot today.
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14. YEAR 2010 (GROUP II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) He made a goal against our college.
(ii) I shot the bear but missed.
(iii) They pay no attention to their old father.
(iv) He is the student whom I think deserves praise.
(v) Is not he your brother?
(vi) A darkest cloud has a silver lining.
(vii) Aslam has been ill from five days.
(viii) Please tell me where is your brother?
(ix) No less than twenty people died in the accident.
(x) Himalayas lie in the North of India.
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15. YEAR 2011 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) The wages of sin are death.
(ii) Eight miles are a long distance.
(iii) I believe your are better now.
(iv) I am studying the newspaper.
(v) He aims to please everybody.
(vi) She came here for singing.
(vii) I felt the cold air to strike my face.
(viii) Alarmed at the news, the police was informed.
(ix) Rose is the sweetest of all flowers.
(x) I am much glad that you are here.
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16. YEAR 2011 (GROUP II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)

(i) His friend and benefactor have left the room.

(ii) Every one of them want to go to sea.
(iii) He is reading at the medical college.
(iv) Few people attended the meeting.
(v) Either of these two houses are to let.
(vi) The teacher took a test of the students.
(vii) He insisted to do it.
(viii) He has no money for giving you.
(ix) I bade him to do it.
(x) It is much hot today.
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17. YEAR 2012 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) He had come yesterday.
(ii) Ahmad plays good.
(iii) She is angry on me.
(iv) Neither of these ten boys has failed.
(v) We enjoyed at the concert.
(vi) I reached prior than him.
(vii) Such students who don't work hard fail.
(viii) He requested me to say little more.
(ix) She is cooking the meal for 30 minutes.
(x) He goes there never.
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18. YEAR 2012 (GROUP II)
Correct and FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) The poor is neglected.
(ii) One of the players is injured.
(iii) I am senior than him in service.
(iv) I read the same book which you purchased.
(v) Lahore is a worth-seeing city.
(vi) He has any books.
(vii) None of the boys were naughty.
(viii) His hairs are brown.
(ix) The lion attacked at him.
(x) She is more cleverer than he.
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19. YEAR 2013 (GROUP I)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) Mr. Zahis with his wife and children live here.
(ii) A number of boys is absent.
(iii) We should avail of this chance.
(iv) They went to the fair and enjoyed.

(v) The murdered was hung.

(vi) You are very kind on me.
(vii) You need not to go there.
(viii) He has visited Lahore yesterday.
(ix) If you will come to me, I will help you.
(x) He swore of God.
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20. YEAR 2013 (GROUP II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked.)
(i) She sings good.
(ii) He comes often late.
He often comes late.
(iii) Do you know to cook?
Do you know how to cook?
(iv) I had not written any letter last night.
I did not write any letter last night.
(v) He did nothing but played.
He did nothing except playing.
(vi) He is suffering from fever for ten days.
He has been suffering from fever for ten days.
(vii) He said that he can help me.
He said to me that he could help me.
(viii) She was married with her cousin.
She was married to her cousin.
(ix) Although he is old but active.
(x) Tariq as well as Asad are my friends.
Tariq as well as Asad is my friend.
21. Year 2014 (Group 1)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked).
(i)
He was failed in B.A.
He failed in B.A (exam)
(ii)

I am sick with his company.

I am sick of his company.

(iii)

Bring me any water to drink.

Bring me some water to drink.

(iv)

He congratulated him for his success.

He congratulated him on his success.

(v)

Many a men was present there.

Many a man was present there.

(vi) Either he or his friends helps me.

(vii) None of the two brothers is intelligent.
(viii) I object to his go there.
I objected to his going there.
(ix) I shall not let him to go there.
I shall not let him go there.
(x) Such careless students who do not work hard seldom pass.
22. Year 2014 (Group II)
Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (No extra attempts will
be marked).
(i) We all did not go.
(ii) One should not waste his time.
(iii) This is not such weather which was expected.
(v)
You need not to worry.
You need not worry.
(vi)

He is more better than I.

He is better than me.

(vii)

This book is superior than that.

Superior to

(viii) We had have nice tea.

A nice tea
(viii) Either he or his brother are at fault.
(ix) What makes you to look so happy?
What makes you look so happy.
(x) Both Nazia as well as Nazish are intelligent.
Is inttelligent