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English Grammar 100/100 Golden Rules

A. SUBJECT - VERB AGREEMENT

1 . Two or more Singular Subjects connected by and usually take a Verb in the Plural.

For example,

Incorrect- Hari and Ram is here.

Correct- Hari and Ram are here.

2. If two Singular Nouns refer to the same person or thing, the Verb must be Singular.

Incorrect- The Secretary and Principal are coming.

Correct- The Secretary and Principal is coming.

(Here the same person is .Secretary as well as Principal)

3. If the Singular Subjects are preceded by each or every, the Verb is usually

Singular.

4. Two or more Singular Subjects connected by or, nor, either ..... or, neither ....nor take a

Verb in the Singular.

For example,

Incorrect- Neither he nor I were there.

Correct- Neither he nor I was there.

5. When the Subjects joined by 'or/nor are of different numbers, the Verb must be Plural,

and the Plural Subject must be placed next to the Verb.

For example,

lncorrect- Neither the Assistant Masters nor the Headmaster was present.

Correct- Neither the Headmaster nor the Assistant Masters were present. '

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6. When the Subjects joined by or, nor are of different persons, the Verb agrees in person

with the one nearest to it.

For example,

Incorrect- Either he or I is mistaken.

Correct- Either he or I, am mistaken.

7. A Collective Noun takes a Singular Verb when the collection is thought of as a whole,

a Plural Verb when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.

For example,

Correct- The Council has chosen the President.

Correct- The military were called out.

8. Some Nouns which are singular in form but plural in meaning, take a Plural Verb.

For example,

Incorrect- Mathematics are a branch of study in every school.

Correct- Mathematics is a branch of study in every school.

9. Words joined to a Singular Subject by with, together with, in addition to, or, as well as,

etc. are parenthetical, and therefore do not affect the number of the Verb.

For example,

Incorrect- The Chief, with all his men, were massacred.

Correct-The chief, with all his men, was massacred.

10. When the Subject of the Verb is a Relative Pronoun care should be taken to see that

the Verb agrees in Number and Person with the Antecedent of the relative.

For example,

Incorrect- I, who is your friend, . will guard you,r interests.

Correct- I, who am your friend will guard your interests.

B. USES OF PARTICIPLES AND INFINITIVES

11. Ask, advise, allow, command, force, forbid, invite, encourage, compel, beg, order•,

imagine, instruct, permit, persuade, tell, require, remind, teach, etc. are followed by

Object + To +V2

For example,

Incorrect- He advised to do it by me.

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Correct- He advised me to do it. But if these are used in Passive Voice, then they are

followed by To +V,.

For example,

Correct- She was permitted to go with him.

12. Know is followed by how/ where/when/why and Infinitive.

For example,

Incorrect- I know to write a letter.

Correct- I know how to write a letter.

13. After let, bid, behold, watch, see, feel, make etc. we use Bare-Infinitive and not To-

infinitive.

14. Bare Infinitive is used after Modal Auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will,

would, must, dare not, need not).

15. Had better, had rather,had as soon ... as ... , had sooner etc. are fol-lowed by Bare

Infinitive.

For example,

Incorrect- He had better to go now.

Correct- He had better go now.

16. Conjunction than is also followed by Bare Infinitive.

For example,

Incorrect- He had better read than to write.

Correct- He had better read than write.

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17. When but is used as a Preposition and preceded by any form of the Verb do, then but

is followed with Bare Infinitive.

Incorrect- He did nothing but to wander.

Correct- He did nothing but wander.

18. Every Participial must have a Subject of Reference.

For example,

Incorrect- Being a rainy day Vijay decided to stay at home.

Correct- It being a rainy day Vijay decided to stay at home.

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19. For completed action Having + Va is used in Active Voice, whereas Having + been +

Va or Being + Va is used in Passive Voice. After should not be used in such a sentence.

For example,

Incorrect- After the leader having been killed, the followers ran away.

Correct- The leader having been killed, the followers ran away.

20. Participles like considering, judging, referring, concerning, regarding, viewing,

broadly speaking etc. do not take any Subject of Reference.

For example,

Correct - Considering the case, I took the decision.

Here I is not a Subject of Reference of considering. So, there is no Subject of

Reference for 'considering, still the sentence is correct.

C. USES OF VERBS

21. When there are two Subjects in a sentence and they are not in the same Number,

then we must have to use separate Auxiliaries (is, are, am, was, were, have, has) for both

of them.

For example,

Incorrect- Three- killed and one were injured.

Correct- Three were killed and one was injured.

22. A single Verb should be made to serve two Subjects, only when the form of Verb is

same for both the subjects.

23. Two auxiliaries can be used with one principal Verb, only when the form of the

principal Verb is appropriate to both the auxiliaries. '

Incorrect- He never has, and never will take such strong measures.

Correct- He never has taken, and never will take such strong measures.

24. When there is only one auxiliary to two principal Verbs it should be correctly

associated with the both.

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25. A Past Tense in the main clause should be followed by a Past Tense in the

subordinate clause.

Incorrect- He succeeded because he works hard.

Correct- He succeeded because he worked hard.

26. A Past Tense in main clause may be followed by a Present Tense in the subordinate

clause when the subordinate clause expresses a universal truth.

Incorrect- Our teacher said that the earth moved round the sun.

Correct- Our teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

27. When the subordinate clause comes after 'lest', the auxiliary Verb 'should' must be

used, whatever be the Tense of the Verb in the main clause.

Incorrect- We start early lest we shall miss the train.

Correct- We start early lest we should miss the train.

28. An Adverb or Adverbial phrase should not be placed between 'to' and verbal part

of,the infinitive. (This is called the split infinitive).

Incorrect- I hoped to immediately reply to your letter:

Correct- I hoped to reply immediately to your letter.

29. An infinitive should be in the present tense unless it represents' an action prior to that

of the governing Verb.

Incorrect- I should have liked to have gone-there.

Correct- I should have liked to go there.

30. Gerund if preceded by a Pr-o-noun, that Pronoun must be in

Possessive case.

Incorrect - He emphasised me going there.

Correct- He emphasised my go-ing there.

31. The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for an action that began in the past

time and still. going at the time of speaking, It is used with, Adverbials of time

introduced by 'since', 'for' and 'how long.

Incorrect- How long are you working in this office?

. Correct- How long have you been working in this office?

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32. A Verb when preceded by a Preposition must be the Gerund.

Incorrect-

Incorrect- They were punished for come late.

Correct- They were punished for, coming late.

33. The Future Indefinite Tense is not used in the clauses of time, place and condition.

Here the Present In¬definite Tense is used.

Incorrect- I shall wait for you till you will finish your work.

Correct- I shall wait for you, till you finish your work.

34. The Present Perfect Tense is not used with the Adverbs of past time like yesterday,

in 1990 etc. Here Past Indefinite Tense is used.

Incorrect~ I have bought a cycle yesterday.

Correct-I bought a cycle yesterday.

The Past Perfect Tense is used to represent the earlier of the two past actions.

Incorrect- When I reached the station, the train already left.

Correct- When I reached the station, the train had already left.

35. Modal Auxiliaries are not used together. But two Auxiliaries can be

connected by a Conjunction.

For example,

Incorrect-He should must do it.

Correct- He should and must do it.

36. When need or dare is fol-lowed by not, it turns into modal auxiliary. In that

situation it takes Bare Infinitive 'and we cannot use needs not or dares not.

For example,

Incorrect- He needs not do it.

Correct- He need not do it.

D. USES OF ADJECTIVES

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37. Adjectives of quantity show how much of a thing is meant. Adjectives of quantity

(some; much, little, enough, all, no, any, great, half, sufficient, whole) are used for

Uncountable Nuns only.

For example,

Incorrect-I ate a few rice.

Correct- I ate some rice.

38. Numeral Adjectives are used for Countable Noun only and they show how many

persons or things are meant or in what order a person or thing stands,

For example,

Incorrect- I have taught you little things.

Correct- I have taught you a few things.

39. When cardinal and ordinal are used together ordinal preceds the cardinal. For

example

Incorrect- The four first boys will be given the chance.

Correct- The first four boys will be given the chance.

40. Later, latest refer to time, latter and last refer to position.

For example,

Incorrect- I reached at 10 am. But he was latter than I expected.

Correct- I reached at 10 am. But he was later than I expected,

41. Farther means more distant or advanced; further means additional.

For example,

Incorrect- He insisted on farther improvement.

Correct- He insisted on further improvement.

42. Each is used in speaking of two or more things, every is used only in

speaking of more than two.

For example,

Incorrect- Every of the two boys will get a prize.

Correct- Each of the two boys will get a prize.

43. To express quantity or degree some is used in affirmative sentences, any in negative

or interrogative sentences.

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For example,.

Incorrect- Have you bought some mangoes?

Correct- Have you bought any mangoes?

44. In comparing two things, the Comparative should be used, The

Superlativ should not be used.

Incorrect- Which is the best of the two?

Correct- Which is the better of the two?

45. When two qualities of the same person or thing are compared, the Comparative in-er

is not used. 'More' is used for this purpose.

Incorrect- He is wiser than brave.

Correct- He is more wise than brave.

46. When comparison is made by means of a comparative, the thing compared should

be excluded from the class of things with which it is compared by using 'other' or some

such word.

Incorrect- He is cleverer than any boy in the class.

Correct- He is cleverer than any other boy in the class.

47. When comparison is made by means of a superlative, the thing com-pared

should include the class of things with which it is compared.

48. When two persons or things are compared, it is important that the same parts

of things should be compared.

Incorrect- The population of Bombay is greater than Delhi.

Correct- The population of Bombay is greater than that of Delhi.

49. Double comparatives and superlatives should not be used.

1. Incorrect- He is the most cleverest boy in the class.

Correct- He is the cleverest boy in the class.

2. Incorrect- He is more wiser than his brother.

Correct- He 'is wiser than his brother.

50. The comparative Adjectives superior inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior,

posterior prefer, etc., should be followed by 'to' instead of 'than'.

Incorrect- He is senior than me.

Correct- He is senior to me.

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51. Adjectives like 'unique', ideal, perfect,

complete, universal, entire, extreme, chief, full

square and round, which do not admit different

degrees of comparison should not be compared.

Incorrect- It is the most unique thing.

Correct- It is a unique thing.

52. All the Adjectives which refer to the same Noun should be in the same degree

of comparison.

Incorrect- He is the wisest and honest worker in the office.

Correct- He is the wisest and most honest worker in the office.

53. 'Elder' and 'eldest' should be used for persons only, strictly speaking, they are used for

the members of the same family only. 'Older' and 'oldest' are used for both persons and

things.

Incorrect- He is my older brother.

Correct- He is my elder brother.

E. USES OF ADVERBS

54. To modify a Verb, an Adjective or another Adverb, we use an Adverb.

Incorrect- She writes very careful.

Correct- She writes very carefully.

Carefully is an Adjective which cannot modify the Adverb very, therefore carefully

(Adverb) must be used in place of Adjective careful.

55. Too means more than required and it is used with Unpleasant Adjective. So, we cannot

use too glad, too happy, too pleasant, too healthy.

For example,

Incorrect- I am too glad to meet you.

Correct- I am very glad to meet you.

56. A sentence which is based on ''Too .... To" format, we cannot replace to with so that. If

we replace to with so that, too also must be replaced with cannot.

For example,

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Incorrect- He is too weak so that he cannot walk.

Correct- He is too weak to walk. Correct- He is so weak that he cannot walk.

57. Much too is followed by Unpleasant Adjective, whereas too much is

followed by Noun.

Much too + Unpleasant Adjective.

Too much + Noun.

For example,

Incorrect- His failure is too much painful for me.

Correct- His failure is much too painful for me.

Incorrect- His wife's rude behavior gives him much too pain.

Correct- His wife's rude behavior gives him too much pain.

58. Quite and all are not used together.

For example,

Incorrect- He is quite all right.

Correct- He is quite right. or He is all right-

59. A/An + Fairly + Adjective +

(i) a fairly good book

(ii) rather a difficult problem.

But we cannot use Pleasant Adjective with rather and Unpleasant Adjective with

fairly.

For example,

Incorrect- It was a rather good book.

Correct- It was a fairly good book.

60. Enough, when used as an Adverb, is preceded by a positive degree Adjective or

Adverb.

For example,

Incorrect- He is greater enough to pardon you.

Correct- He is great enough to pardon you. '

61. Two negatives cancel each other. Hence two negatives should not be used in the

same sentence unless we make an affirmation.

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Incorrect-I have not got none.

Correct- I.have not got any.

62. 'At present' means 'at the present time', 'presently' means 'shortly'. These should not

be confused.

1. Incorrect- Nothing more can be done presently.

Correct- Nothing more can be done at present.

2. Incorrect- He will come back at present.

Correct- He will come back presently.

63. 'Hard' means 'diligently', strenuously', 'Hardly' means 'scarcely at all'. These two

Adverbial forms of 'hard' must not be confused.

1. Incorrect- He tried hardly to win the race.

Correct- He tried hard to win the race.

2. Incorrect- She has eaten hard anything today.

Correct- She has eaten hardly anything today.

64. 'Much' is used before past participles and Adjectives or Adverbs of comparative

degree. 'Very' is used before the present participles and Adjectives and Adverbs of

positive degree.

1. Incorrect- The news is much surprising.

Correct- The news is very surprising.

2. Incorrect-I was very surprised at hearing the news.

Correct- I was much surprised at hearing the news.

65. Hardly is an Adverb which means rarely. Whereas hard is an Adjective which

means tough, rigid.

For example,

Incorrect- It is a hardly job.

Correct- It is a hard job.

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66. Ago is always used with Past Indefinite Tense. So, if ago is used in a

sentence, that sentence must be in the Past Indefinite Tense.

For example,

Incorrect- He has come a month ago.

Correct- He came a month ago.

67. At present means at this moment and it is used with •Present Tense, whereas

presently and shortly are used for future' action and generally' used with Future

Indefinite Tense.

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For example,

Incorrect- Presently he is in the room.

Correct- At present he is in the room.

68. Early means "just after the beginning of anything" and soon means just after a

point of time.

For example,

Roses blossomed early this spring.

69. The sentence which starts with seldom, never. hardly. rarely or scarcely takes an

inverse structure, Le., Verb + Subject - Structure. For example,

Incorrect- Seldom I had seen such a beautiful sight.

Correct- Seldom had I seen such a beautiful sight.

70. Inversion is also used in a sentence which starts with here/there/

away/out/up/indoor or outdoor and Main Verb, or Aux + Main Verb is used before

the Subject.

For example,

Incorrect- Away Sita went Correct- Away went Sita.

F. USES OF CONJUNCTIONS

71. Two Conjunctions should not be used in the same sentence.

Incorrect- Although she was tired, but she still went on working. Correct-

Although she was tired, she still went on working.

72. 'Both' should be followed by 'and'. It should be used in the positive sense. In the

negative sense, 'neither' ..... .'nor• should be used in place of 'both'.

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incorrect- Both Ravi as well as Raja were present there.

Correct- Both Ravi and Raja were present there.

73. 'Either ... or', 'neither .... nor: 'both

and', 'not only but also'

should be followed by the same parts of speech. Incorrect- He

not only lost his ticket, but also his luggage. Correct- He lost not

only his ticket but also his luggage.

74. 'Neither' should be followed , by 'nor', 'either' should be followed by 'or'. Both

these should not be con¬fused.

75. 'No sooner' should be fol¬lowed by 'than', not by 'but' or 'then'.

Incorrect- No sooner do I finish this book then I shall begin another. Correct-

No sooner do I finish the book, than I shall begin another.

76. 'Hardly' and 'scarcely' should be followed by 'when' or 'before', but not by

'than' or 'that'.

Incorrect- Hardly did I reach the station, than the train left it.

Correct- Hardly did I reach the station when the train left it.

77. 'That' should not be used before a sentence in Direct Speech and before

Interrogative Adverbs and Pronouns in the Indirect Speech.

1. Incorrect- He said that, "I shall go there."

Correct- He said, "I shall go there".

2. Incorrect- He asked me that who I was.

Correct- He asked me who was.

G. USES OF PREPOSITION

78. Objective case (of Noun or• Pronoun) is used after Preposition. For

example,

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Incorrect- I do not depend on he.

Correct- I do not depend on him.

79. The Prepositions used after two words must be made clear if these two words

are connected by and or or.

80. If a Principal Verb is used after about, after, at, before. for, from, in, on. to, that Verb

must be in ing (V4) form.

81. On, in, at, are not used before today, tomorrow, yesterday, the following day, the

next day etc.

For example,

Incorrect- He will go there on to-morrow.

Correct- He will go there tomorrow.

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82. No Preposition is used before the word home. At home is a phrase which bears a

different meaning.

For example,

Incorrect- Bring a T.V. set at home.

Correct- Bring a T.V. se$ home. 83. After Transitive Verbs, like dis¬cuss, describe, reach,

order, tell, demand, attack, resemble, ridicule, etc. we directly use the object and no

Preposition is used after the Verb.

For example:

Incorrect- The poet describes about the beauty of naturel in this poem.

Correct- The poet describes the beauty of nature in this poem.

84. Say/suggest/propose/speak/reply/explain/talk/listen/write is followed by to-

Preposition if there is a person in the form of object.

For example,

1. Incorrect- He did not reply me.

Correct- He did not reply to me. 2. Incorrect- He did not write to a letter.

Correct- He did not write a letter.

H. USES OF PRONOUNS

85. When a Pronoun is used as the complement of the Verb 'to be', it should be in the

nominative case.

Incorrect- If I were him, I would not do it.

Correct- If I were he, I would not do it.

86. When the Pronoun is used as the object of a Verb or of a Preposition, it should

be in the objective case.

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1. Incorrect- Let you and I do it.

Correct- Let you and me do it.

2. Incorrect- These presents are for you and I.

Correct- These presents are for you and me.

87. Emphatic Pronouns can not

stand alone as Subjects~ Incorrect- Himself did it. Correct- He himself did it.

88. The Indefinite Pronoun 'one' should be used throughout if used at all. Incorrect-

One must not boast of his own success.

89. 'Either' or 'neither' is used only in speaking of two persons or things; 'any', 'no one'

and 'none' is used in speaking of more than two.

1. Incorrect- Anyone of these two roads leads to the railway station. Correct-

Either of these two roads leads to the railway station.

2. Incorrect- Neither of these three boys did his homework. Correct-

No one of these three boys did his homework.

90. 'Each other' is used in speaking of two persons or things; 'one an¬other' is used in

speaking of more than two.

91. A Noun or Pronoun governing a Gerund should be put in the possessive case.

Incorrect- Please excuse me being late.

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Correct- Please excuse my being late.

92. A Pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gender.

Incorrect- Each of these boys has done their homework.

Correct- Each of these boys has done his homework.

93. When two or more Singular Nouns are joined by 'and', the Pronoun used for them must

be in Plural.

Incorrect- Both Raju and Ravi have done his homework.

Correct- Both Raju and Ravi have done their homework.

94. When two or more Singular Nouns joined by 'and' refer to the same person or thing, a

Pronoun used for them must be in the singular.

Incorrect- The collector and District Magistrate is not negligent in their duty.

Correct- The collector and District Magistrate is not negligent in his duty.

95. When two or more singular nouns joined by 'or' or 'nor', 'either ... or', 'neither ..

nor', the Pronoun used for them should be in the singular.

Incorrect- Neither Ravi nor Raju has done their homework.

Correct- Neither Ravi nor Raju has done his homework.

96. When two or more singular Pronouns of different persons come together, the

Pronoun of second per¬son singular (you) comes first, the pronoun of the first person

singular (I) comes last and the pronoun of the third person singular (he) comes in

between.

Incorrect- I, You and he must work together ..

Correct- You, he and I must work together.

97. When two or more plural Pro-nouns of different persons come together first person

plural (we) comes first, then second person plural (you) and last of all third person plural

(they).

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Incorrect- You, they and we must work together ..

Correct- We, you and they must work together.

98. The Relative Pronoun who is in subjective case, whereas whom is in objective case.

Therefore, for who there must be a Finite Verb in the sentence. Or otherwise, when whom

(Object) is used in the sentence and there is more Finite Verb's than the number of

Subjects in the sentence, then whom should be changed into who (Subject).

For example,

Incorrect- The doctor whom came here was Ram's brother.

Correct- The doctor who came here was Ram's brother.

99. With Superlative Degree Adjective, only, none, all etc., as Relative Pronoun we use

that and not which or who.

For example,

Incorrect- All which glitters is not gold.

Correct- All that glitters is not gold.

100. After let, if a Pronoun is used, that Pronoun must be in the Objective Case. For

example,

Incorrect- Let he go there.

Correct- Let him go there.

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1. Some nouns always take a singular verb.

Scenery, advice, information, machinery, stationery, furniture, abuse, fuel, rice, gram,

issue, bedding, repair, news, mischief, poetry, business, economics, physics, mathematics,

classic, ethics, athletics, innings, gallows.

(A) The scenery of Kashmir are enchanting. (Correct use- is)

(A) He has given advices. (Correct use- advice)

2. Some nouns are singular in meaning, but they are used as plural nouns and always

take a plural verb. Cattle, gentry, vermin, peasantry, artillery, people, clergy, company,

police.

(A) The cattle is grazing in the ground. (correct use- are)

(B) Police has controlled the situation. (correct use- have)

3. Some nouns are always used in a plural form and always take a plural verb. Trousers,

scissors, spectacles, stockings, shorts, measles, goods, alms, premises, thanks, tidings,

annals, chattels, etc.

(A) Where is my trousers? (correct use- are)

(B) Where are my trousers? Correct

(A) Spectacles is a costly item. (correct use- are)

4. There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money, weight or number.

When they are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged in form.

Foot, meter, pair, score, dozen, head, year, hundred, thousand, million.

(A) It is a five – years degree course. (correct use- year)

(A) I have seven dozens of shoes. (correct use- dozen)

5. Collective nouns such as jury, public, team, committee, government, audience,

orchestra, company, etc. are used both as singular and Plural. It depends on the

usage.

(A) The jury was divided in their opinion. (correct use- were)

(A) The team have not arrived yet. (correct use- has)

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6. Some nouns have one meaning in the singular and another in the plural: a. Advice

= counsel,

advices = information b.

Air = atmosphere,

airs = proud

c. Authority = command,

authorities = persons in power

d. Good = wise,

goods = property

e. Iron = metal,

irons = fetters, chains

f. Force = strength

forces = army

g. Content = satisfaction,

contents = things contained

h. Respect = regards,

respects = compliments

i. Work = job

works = compositions, factories,

7. People are often confused or they commit mistakes in the use of certain nouns.

(A) Lecturership is wrong: lectureship is correct.

(B) Freeship is wrong; free – studentship is correct.

(C) Boarding is wrong; boarding house is correct.

(D) Family members is wrong; members of the family is correct.

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(E) English teacher is wrong; the teacher of English is correct.

(F) Cousin – brother or sister is wrong; only cousin is correct.

(G) Wages means punishments when used in the singular. Ex- The

wages of sin is death.

(H) It also means charges for the labour when used in the plural sense. Ex- The

wages of daily workers have been raised.

8. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gender. Ex- Every

student must bring his luggage.

All students must do their homework.

Each of the boys must carry his own bag.

9. While using ‗everybody‘ ‗everyone‘, ‗anybody‘, and ‗each‘ the pronoun of the

masculine or the feminine gender is used according to the context.

I shall be happy to help each of the boys in this practice.

But when the sex is not mentioned, we use the pronoun of the masculine gender.

Anyone can qualify this exam if he tries.

Each of the six boys in the class has finished their tasks. (Incorrect)

Each of the six boys in the class has finished his task. (Correct)

10. The pronoun ‗one‘ must be followed by ‗one‘s‘.

One must finish his homework in time. (Incorrect)

One must finish one‘s homework in time. (Correct)

11. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, drive, exert, avail, pride, absent, etc., when used as

transitive verbs, always take a reflexive pronoun after them. When ‗self‘ is added to ‗my‘,

‗your‘, ‗him‘, ‗her‘, and ‗it‘, and ‗selves‘ to our and them – they are known as reflexive

pronouns.

He absented from the meeting.

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He absented himself from the meeting.

12. ‗Who‘ denotes the subject and ‗whom‘ is used for the object? who:

It‘s the subject of a verb—e.g., Who gave you that book?

It‘s a predicate nominative (a noun in the predicate that renames or refers to the

sentence‘s subject)—e.g.,This is who I am.

Whom is an objective pronoun, which is a pronoun that receives the action of a verb. It

also has two main uses:

It is the object of a verb—e.g., Whom should I call?

It is the object of a preposition—e.g., From whom did you get this

information?

13. When two or more singular nouns are connected by ‗either or‘; ‗neither nor‘, ; and

‗or‘, the pronoun used is singular.

Either Rohan or Sohan will give their bike. (Incorrect)

Either Rohan or sohan will give his book. (Correct)

14. When a singular and a plural noun are joined by ‗or‘, ‗nor‘, the pronoun must be

plural.

Either the student or his teachers failed in his duty. (Incorrect)

Either the student or his teachers failed in their duty. (Correct)

15. ‗Whose‘ is used for living persons and ‗which‘ for lifeless objects.

Which novel did you select?

Whose photograph is lying there?

16. ‗Each other‘ is used when there are two subjects or objects and ‗one another‘ when

there are more than two.

Ram and Sita loved each other.

Those five students, who are sitting there, love one another.

17. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it must be in the singular number and

in the neuter gender if the collective noun is viewed as a whole. but if it gives an idea

of different entities , plural pronoun is used.

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The jury gave ‗its‘ verdict.

Here the ‗jury‘ gives the idea of one whole.

If the collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the whole,

the pronoun standing for it must be plural.

The jury were divided in their opinions.

in this sentence, the ‗jury‘ gives the idea of several individuals.

18. If pronouns of different persons are to be used together in a sentence, the serial

order of persons should be as follows;

second person (2) + third (3)+ first person(1) in normal sentences. But when mistake or

fault is expressed in the sentence,

the order should be; first person (1) + second person (2) + third person (3). RULE-231

You, he and I have finished the work. (Normal idea)

I, you and he are to blame. (here Confession of guilt is expressed, it‘s a negative

idea, hence order is 123)

19. ‗Some‘ is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or degree. ‗Any‘ is uses in

negative or interrogative sentences.

I shall buy some apples.

I shall not buy any apples.

Have you bought any apples?

But ‗some‘ may be correctly used in interrogative sentences which are, in fact, requests.

Will you please give me some water?

20. The use of ‗few‘, ‗a few‘‘ and ‗the few‘ should be used with care. They denote

‗number‘.

‗Few‘ means ‗not many‘, ‗almost nothing‘. A ‗few‘ is positive and means ‗some at least‘.

‗The few‘ means ‗whatever there is‘.

A few men are free from fault. (Incorrect)

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Few men are free from fault. (Correct)

(Here the sense is negative and thus ‗a few‘ is wrong.)

Few teams will qualify for the world cup. (Incorrect)

A few boys will pass in the examination. (Correct)

Here the sense is positive and thus ‗few‘ is incorrect.

I have already read a few books that are in the library. (Incorrect)

I have already read the few books that are in the library. (Correct)

Here the sense is ‗whatever there is‘. ‘everything that is in the library‘

21. Use of ‗less‘ and ‗fewer‘

‗Less‘ denote quantity and ‗fewer‘ denote number. No less

than fifty students were selected. (Incorrect) No fewer than

fifty students were selected. (Correct)

There are no fewer than five liters of water in the bottle. (Incorrect)

There are no less than five liters of water in the bottle. (Correct)

22. Use of little, a little, the little

‗Little‘ means ‗hardly any‘

There is little hope of his recovery. (Incorrect) There is

a little hope of his recovery. (correct) ‗A little‘ means

‗some‘, though not much.

Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Incorrect) A little

knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Correct) ‗The little

means ‗not much but all there is‘.

Little water that is in the bottle may be used for the child. (Incorrect)

The little water that is in the bottle may be used for the patient. (Correct)

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23. Use of elder, older.

‗Elder‘ is used for persons of same family.

‗Older‘ refers to persons as well as things and is followed by ‗than‘.

Rohan is elder than all other boys of this area. (Incorrect)

Rohan is older than all other boys of this area. (Correct)

Sabu is my older brother. (Incorrect)

Sabu is my elder brother. (Correct)

24. Normally ‗than‘ is used in the comparative degree, but with words like superior,

inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior and prefer ‗to‘ is used.

Sara is junior than Neeta. (Incorrect)

Sara is junior to Neeta. (Correct)

I prefer reading than walking. (Incorrect)

I prefer reading to walking. (Correct)

25. When a comparison is made by using a comparative followed by ‗than‘, the word

‗other‘ must exclude the thing compared from the class of things with which it is

compared.

He is better than any man. (Incorrect)

He is better than any other man. (Correct)

‗Any man‘ includes the man himself and thus the sentences will be awkward.

26. In some cases, the comparison is subtle and must be given proper

attention.

Ex- The climate of Delhi is better than Mumbai. (Incorrect)

Here the comparison should be between the climate of Delhi and the climate of

Mumbai.

The climate of Delhi is better than the climate of Mumbai. (Correct)

Or

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The climate of Ranchi is better than that of Gaya. (Correct)

(Here, ‗That of‘ means ‗the climate of‘)

If the traits are in plural, it will be ‗those of‘.

The products of Reliance are better than those of Suzuki. The

scenery of Kashmir is better than Shimla. (Incorrect)

The scenery of Kashmir is better than that of Shimla. (Correct)

27. ‗many a‘ is always followed by the singular verb.

Many a student were drowned in the river. (Incorrect)

Many a student was drowned in the river. (Correct)

28. If the subject is ‗the number of‘ the singular verb is used. And when the

expression (‗a + number+ of) is used, plural verb is used.

The number of students are very small. Incorrect The

number of students is very small. Correct

A number of girls has passed in the examination. (Incorrect)

A number of girls have passed in the examination. (correct)

29. When ‗as well as‘, ‗along with‘, together with‘, ‗no less than‘, ‗in addition to‘ and

‗not‘ and ‗with‘ join two subjects, the verb will be used according to the first subject.

Ram, as well as his five friends, are going. (Incorrect)

Ram, as well as his five friends, is going. (Correct)

The teacher, along with the students, were dancing. (Incorrect)

The teacher, along with the students, was going. Correct

30. Since a personal pronoun works in place of a noun, the number, gender and person

of the pronoun must be according to the noun only.

Ex.-Ram has lost his books. (Not their)

She loves his husband. (Incorrect)

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She loves her husband. (Correct)

31. When two or more singular nouns are joined by ‗AND‘ the Pronoun for them always in

the plural number.

Ex.- Mohan and Sohan have lost his books. (Incorrect)

Mohan and Sohan have lost their books. (Correct)

32. When two or more singular nouns joined by ‗AND‘ are preceded by ‗EACH‘ and

‗EVERY‘ the pronoun must be singular.

Ex.- Every student and every teacher took his or her seat.

Each of Ram and Shyam has done his work.

Each man and each boy in the party has got his share.

33. When a singular noun and a plural noun are combined by ‗OR‘, ‗EITHER-

OR ‗NEITHER- NOR, the singular noun usually comes first in the sentence and the pronoun

must be in the plural number.

Ex.- Either the manager or his subordinates failed in their duty in sending the official

message.

34. When two or more singular nouns are joined by Either-Or, neither-nor, the pronoun is

always in the singular

Ex.- Ram or Mohan should invest his money in some business.

Neither Ram nor Shyam confessed his guilt

Either Sita or Kamla forgot to take her prize.

35. Either or neither are always used in relation to two things or two persons, for more

than two ‗ANY‘, or ‗NONE‘ must be used.

Ex.- Either of the two girls can pay for it.

Neither of the two brothers has been selected.

Any one of the employees can claim it.

None of the students of this class has passed.

36. When in a sentence ‗one‘ is used as the subject, all the pronouns in the

sentence must be changed into ‗one‘ or one‘s and not his, her or him.

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Ex.- One should keep one‘s promise.

One should do one‘s duty.

One must finish one‘s task in time.

37. When any pronoun functions as the complement of the verb ‗To be‘, it is always in

the nominative case.

Ex.- It is me who have to go. (Incorrect)

It is I who have to go. (Correct)

It is him who is to blame. (Incorrect)

It is he who is to blame. (Correct)

It was he who could solve the problem Easily.

38. Whenever any pronoun functions as an object to a verb or a preposition, it is in the

objective case.

Ex.- It is for he to consider. (Incorrect)

It is for him to consider. (Correct)

Ask he to go. (Incorrect)

Ask him to go. (Correct)

39. When two singular nouns joined by AND denote the same person or thing, the

pronoun used for them must be singular in number. The article ‗THE‘ is placed before the

first Noun.

Ex.- The accounts officer and treasures should be careful in his work of keeping

accounts.

40. When a personal pronoun is connected by a conjunction with some other word in

the objective case, it must be in the objective case.

Ex.- These clothes are for you and me. (not I)

41. A pronoun should be used in the objective case in a sentence beginning with

Let.

Ex.- Let him go to his office

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Let her submit the records in time.

42. While confessing a fault (or expressing a negative idea) the sequence of the

personal pronouns should be as follows:

I, you and he are in the wrong and will be punished.

[First person first, second person next and third person last]

43. While expressing a positive idea or praise, the sequence of the personal

pronouns should be as follows:

You, He and I will get an award for the good work we have done.

[Second person (2), third person (3), and first person (1)] You, he and I

have finished the work.

Ram, I and you have finished our studies. (Incorrect)

You, Ram and I have finished our studies. (Correct)

44. After ‗BUT‘, ‗EXCEPT‘, ‗BETWEEN‘ and ‗LET‘ the pronoun is used in objective case,

whereas after ‗such as‘ in the subjective case.

Ex.- Everyone laughed but I. (Incorrect)

Everyone laughed but me. (Correct)

None attended the meeting except he. (Incorrect)

None attended the meeting except him. (Correct)

Let we laugh away our sorrows. (Incorrect)

Let us laugh away our sorrows. (Correct)

This is between you and I. (Incorrect)

This is between you and me. (Correct)

They do not have a liking for such a person as me. (Incorrect)

They do not have a liking for such a person as I. (Correct)

45. ‗Some‘ is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or degree. ‗Any‘ is

used in Negative or interrogative sentences.

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Ex.- I shall buy some apples.

I shall not buy any apples.

Have you bought any apples?

I shall read any book. (Incorrect)

I shall read some book. (Correct)

46. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, drive, exert, avail, pride, absent, drink,

oversleep, overreach, Revenge, present etc. when used as transitive verbs, always

take a reflexive pronoun after them.

47. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it must be in the singular number

and in the neuter gender if the collective noun is viewed as a whole-

48. (a) Each other is used about two persons. Ex.-

The two brothers disliked each other. Romeo and

Juliet loved each other.

The two children quarrelled with each other.

(b) One another is used about more than two-Ex.-

Good boys do not quarrel with one another.

All the students of the class are friendly, they like one another.

49. The pronouns who, whom, whose are generally used for persons Who -

Nominative case

Whom - Objective case

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Whose- Possessive case

Ex.- Shikha is the student who got an award.

They are the thieves whom the police caught.

This is the student whose certificates are lost.

50. Use of ‗WHICH‘

(a) For infants, small animals and objects.

Ex.- This is the baby which was lost in the theatre.

This is the dog which my friend bought from the U.S.

(b) When selection is expressed.

Ex.- Which of these television sets do you want to purchase?

(c) To refer to a sentence

Ex.- He was said to be drunk, which was not true.

51. Uses of ‗THAT‘

(a) For persons, lifeless things and small animals in the singular or in the plural

number.

Ex.- This is the girl that failed in the exam.

This is the Radio that I bought Yesterday.

(b) As a substitute for a singular noun already mentioned.

Ex.- The weather of Hyderabad is far better than Chennai. (Wrong)

The weather of Hyderabad is far better than that of Chennai. (Right)

52. The verb must agree with its subject in number and person. When two subjects

are joined by ‗AND‘, the verb is plural.

53. When two singular nouns joined by AND refer to the same person or thing, the verb is

singular.

Ex.- The secretary and treasurer has been arrested.

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The district magistrate and collector is on leave today.

54. Article ‗THE‘ is used only once when the two nouns refer to the same person or thing. If

the two nouns refer to different persons or things, article ‗THE‘ is used before each noun. In

such cases, the verb will be in the plural form.

Ex.- The secretary and the president have been given warm welcome.

55. If two different singular nouns express one idea, the verb should be in the singular

form.

Ex.- Bread and milk is good for Breakfast.

Rice and curry is my favorite dish.

This is the long and the short of the matter.

56. When two singular subjects are practically synonymous, the verb should be in the

singular form.

Ex.- The law and order situation in the state is under control.

His power and influence is on the decline.

Power and position has no charm for my friend.

Peace and Prosperity is the need to the day.

57. If two singular subjects combined by AND are preceded by each or every, the

verb should be in the singular.

Ex.- Every boy and girl was present in the class Yesterday.

Every man and every woman has the right to express his or her view.

58. When the subjects joined by (Either-or), (Neither-nor) are of different persons, the

verb will agree in person and number with the noun nearest to it. Also, the plural subject

must be placed nearest to the verb.

Ex.- Either Radha or Rani has done this mischief.

Neither Mohini nor Ragini is beautiful

Either the CM or the Cabinet Ministers are responsible for this problem.

Neither you nor he is to take up this task.

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Either you or I am responsible for this mistake.

59. If connectives like with, together with, ‗as well as‘ accompanied by etc. are used to

combine two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first.

Ex.- The president of India together with his personal secretaries is invited to this function.

The actress, along with her manager and some friend, is attending the function.

Mr. Michael, accompanied by his wife and children is arriving tonight by train.

60. When (Not only-but also) is used to combine two subjects, the verb agrees with the

subject close to it.

Ex.- Not only Hari, but also his brothers were arrested.

61. Use of None/No.

―None can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun which follows

it.‖

Structure [None + of the + (non-count noun) + singular verb]

Ex.- None of the counterfeit money has been found.

Structure [None + of the + (plural count. noun) + plural verb]

Ex.- None of the students have finished the exam yet.

No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it.

Structure: [No + Singular Noun + Singular Verb]

Ex.- No employee has received the salary.

Structure: [No + plural Noun + plural Verb]

Ex.- No examples are relevant to this case.

62. Many words indicating a number of people or animals are singular.

The following nouns are usually singular. (If the individual members are acting

separately, they are plural and take plural verb.)

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[Congress, Family, Group, Committee, Class, Organisation, Team, Army, Club, Crowd,

Government, Jury, Minority, Public]

Ex.- The family was happy at the news.

The family were fighting over inheritance.

Our team is certain to win the match.

The committee have arrived by different trains.

The crowd was wild with excitement.

63. ‗Majority‘ can be singular or plural. If it is alone it is usually singular, if it is followed by a

plural noun, it is usually plural.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Majority by itself is singular but when majority refers to a set of people

it is plural.

Ex- A majority is always right.

A majority of students are right.

64. The number/A number

The number is singular:

The number of acres destroyed by wildfires has increased dramatically over the past

several years.

A number is plural:

A number of students are standing outside the office.

65. Collective nouns indicating time, money and measurements used as a whole

are Singular and take a singular verb.

Twenty-five rupees is not such a big amount for him.

Two miles is too much for this man to run.

66. When a lot of, a great deal of, plenty of, most of and ‗some of‘ refer to

number, a plural verb is used.

Ex.- A lot of people were present in the party.

Some of the students were absent.

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But, if these expressions refer to an amount, the verb is in the singular number.

Ex.- A lot of work has to be completed before we go.

A great deal of work has been finished.

67. When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with plural meaning

the plural verb is used.

Ex.-30 % of Indian women are literate. Three-

quarters of the food has been eaten. (Here the

reference is to the food as a whole)

68. Barracks, Headquarters, Whereabouts, Alms etc. take a singular verb, as well as

plural verb.

69. In sports, while referring to the players, the name of the country is followed

by plural verb.

70. When the word ENEMY is used in the sense ‗Armed forces‘ of a nation with which

one‘s country is at war, we have to use the plural verb.

The enemy were forced to Retreat.

71. Use of Lay and Lie

―The verb Lay is transitive and is always followed by an object‖

―The verb Lie is intransitive and cannot have an object.‖

(Lay – Laid – Laid)

Ex.-Lay the child on the bed.

I laid the book on the table.

(Lie – Lay – Lain)

Let me lie here.

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He lay under that tree.

72. When sentences start with ―there‖ or ―here,‖ the subject will always be placed

after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.

Examples:

There are four hurdles to jump.

There is a high hurdle to jump.

Here are the keys.

There is a problem with the balance sheet.

Here are the papers you requested.

73. Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular and take a singular

verb.

The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

74. When gerunds 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.

55. If two different singular nouns express one idea, the verb should be in the singular

form.

Ex.- Bread and milk is good for Breakfast.

Rice and curry is my favorite dish.

This is the long and the short of the matter.

56. When two singular subjects are practically synonymous, the verb should be in the

singular form.

Ex.- The law and order situation in the state is under control.

His power and influence is on the decline.

Power and position has no charm for my friend.

Peace and Prosperity is the need to the day.

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57. If two singular subjects combined by AND are preceded by each or every, the

verb should be in the singular.

Ex.- Every boy and girl was present in the class Yesterday.

Every man and every woman has the right to express his or her view.

58. When the subjects joined by (Either-or), (Neither-nor) are of different persons, the

verb will agree in person and number with the noun nearest to it. Also, the plural subject

must be placed nearest to the verb.

Ex.- Either Radha or Rani has done this mischief.

Neither Mohini nor Ragini is beautiful

Either the CM or the Cabinet Ministers are responsible for this problem.

Neither you nor he is to take up this task.

Either you or I am responsible for this mistake.

59. If connectives like with, together with, ‗as well as‘ accompanied by etc. are used to

combine two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first.

Ex.- The president of India together with his personal secretaries is invited to this function.

The actress, along with her manager and some friend, is attending the function.

Mr. Michael, accompanied by his wife and children is arriving tonight by train.

60. When (Not only-but also) is used to combine two subjects, the verb agrees with the

subject close to it.

Ex.- Not only Hari, but also his brothers were arrested.

61. Use of None/No.

―None can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun which follows

it.‖

Structure [None + of the + (non-count noun) + singular verb]

Ex.- None of the counterfeit money has been found.

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Structure [None + of the + (plural count. noun) + plural verb] Ex.-

None of the students have finished the exam yet.

No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it.

Structure: [No + Singular Noun + Singular Verb] Ex.- No

employee has received the salary. Structure: [No +

plural Noun + plural Verb] Ex.- No examples are

relevant to this case.

62. Many words indicating a number of people or animals are singular.

The following nouns are usually singular. (If the individual members are acting

separately, they are plural and take plural verb.)

[Congress, Family, Group, Committee, Class, Organisation, Team, Army, Club, Crowd,

Government, Jury, Minority, Public]

Ex.- The family was happy at the news.

The family were fighting over inheritance.

Our team is certain to win the match.

The committee have arrived by different trains.

The crowd was wild with excitement.

63. ‗Majority‘ can be singular or plural. If it is alone it is usually singular, if it is followed by a

plural noun, it is usually plural.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Majority by itself is singular but when majority refers to a set of people

it is plural.

Ex- A majority is always right.

A majority of students are right.

64. The number/A number

The number is singular:

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The number of acres destroyed by wildfires has increased dramatically over the past

several years.

A number is plural:

A number of students are standing outside the office.

65. Collective nouns indicating time, money and measurements used as a whole

are Singular and take a singular verb.

66. When a lot of, a great deal of, plenty of, most of and ‗some of‘ refer to

number, a plural verb is used.

Ex.- A lot of people were present in the party.

Some of the students were absent.

But, if these expressions refer to an amount, the verb is in the singular number

Ex.- A lot of work has to be completed before we go.

A great deal of work has been finished.

67. When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with plural meaning

the plural verb is used.

Ex.-30 % of Indian women are literate. Three-

quarters of the food has been eaten. (Here the

reference is to the food as a whole)

68. Barracks, Headquarters, Whereabouts, Alms etc. take a singular verb, as well as

plural verb.

69. In sports, while referring to the players, the name of the country is followed

by plural verb.

Ex.-England have won the World Cup.

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70. When the word ENEMY is used in the sense ‗Armed forces‘ of a nation with which

one‘s country is at war, we have to use the plural verb.

The enemy were forced to Retreat.

71. Use of Lay and Lie

―The verb Lay is transitive and is always followed by an object‖

―The verb Lie is intransitive and cannot have an object.‖

(Lay – Laid – Laid)

Ex.-Lay the child on the bed.

I laid the book on the table.

(Lie – Lay – Lain)

Let me lie here.

He lay under that tree.

72. When sentences start with ―there‖ or ―here,‖ the subject will always be placed

after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.

Examples:

There are four hurdles to jump.

There is a high hurdle to jump.

Here are the keys.

There is a problem with the balance sheet.

Here are the papers you requested.

73. Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular and take a singular

verb.

The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

74. When gerunds 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

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Ex: Standing in the water was a bad idea.

Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.

75. If two infinitives are separated by ‗and‘ they take the plural form of the verb.

Ex: To walk and to chew gum require great skill.

76. Don‘t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they

do not affect agreement.

Ex- The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.

77. Inverted Sentences

Usually in a sentence the subject always precedes the verb, but sometimes they can

reverse this order, so that the verb comes before the subject.

Incorrect: Through the Golden Eagle Bridge passes thousands of vehicles every day.

(In the above sentence, the singular verb ‗passes‘ is not referring to the singular

Golden Eagle Bridge but to the plural thousands of vehicles. Hence, the correct verb

will be the plural pass.)

Correct: Through the Golden Eagle Bridge pass thousands of vehicles every day.

78. When ‗as well as‘, ‗along with‘, ‗together with‘, ‗No less than‘, ‗In addition to‘ and

‗Not‘ and ‗with‘ join two subjects, the verb will be according to the first subject.

Ex.-Ram, as well as his ten friends, are going. (Incorrect)

Ram, as well as his ten friends, is going. (Correct)

The teacher, along with the students, were going. (Incorrect)

The teacher along with the students, was going. (Correct)

79. ‗A great many‘ is always followed by a plural noun and a plural verb.

Ex.-A great many students have been declared successful.

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80. If two subjects are joined by ‗Either-Or‘, ‗Neither-Nor‘, the verb agrees with the

subject that is near.

81. ‗One of‘ always takes a plural noun after it.

82. Use of (Not only - but also)

Ex- Ram is not only handsome but also intelligent.

(Here one person - two qualities)

Not only India but also Pakistan is poor.

(Here two persons - common quality)

83. When two subjects are joined by (Not only-but also) the verb must agree with the

‗second subject:

Ex.- Not only the students but also the teacher are playing. (Incorrect)

Not only the students but also the teacher is playing. (Correct)

He not only comes for swimming but also for coaching the learners.

(Incorrect)

He comes not only for swimming but also for coaching the learners. (Correct) 84.

‗Scarcely‘ and ‗Hardly‘ are followed by ‗WHEN‘ and not by ‗THAN‘.

Ex.- I had Scarcely entered the room WHEN the phone rang.

Hardly had he seen his father when he stopped smoking.

Scarcely had he entered the room when the light came.

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Hardly had he reached the school when it began to rain.

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85. ‗Though‘ is followed by ‗yet‘ and not by ‗but‘. Ex.-

Though he is poor but he is honest (Incorrect) Though he

is poor, yet he is honest. (Correct) Although he is rich yet

he is miser. Though he is lame yet he can walk fast.

86. ‗No sooner‘ is followed by ‗than‘.

Ex.-No sooner had I entered the class than the students stood up.

No Sooner did I step out than it started raining.

No Sooner did I see my father than I stop smoking.

No Sooner had I reached the station than the train departed.

87. ‗Lest‘ must be followed by ‗should‘. Ex.-Read

regularly lest you will fail. (Incorrect) Read regularly

lest you should fail. (Correct) Run with care lest you

should fall.

88. ‗Such‘ is followed by ‗As‘.

Ex.-Such a boy as I know is at the party.

He is Such a writer as everybody should read his books 89. ‗So‘

is followed by ‗That‘.

Ex.-He is so weak that he cannot walk.

He is so handsome that every girl will be ready to marry him.

90. ‗UNLESS‘ expresses a condition, It is always used in the negative sense.

Thus ‗NOT‘ is never used with ‗unless‘.

Ex.-Unless you do not labor hard, you will not pass. (Incorrect)

Unless you labor hard you will not pass. (Correct)

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91. ‗Until‘ expresses time. It has a negative sense and thus ‗not‘ should never be used with

it.

Ex.-Wait here until I do not return. (Incorrect)

Wait here until I Return. (Correct)

92. ‗Since‘ indicates a point of time and ‗for‘ stands for the length of time.

Ex.- He had been reading the book for two hours.

It has been raining since Monday last.

93. ‗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.

Ex.- He behaves as if he was king. (Incorrect)

He behaves as if he were a king. (Correct)

94. ‗BOTH‘ is followed by ‗AND‘ not (as well as, but)

Ex.- Ram is both tall and handsome.

95. Use of (Since, Because, For, As) Ex.- It

has been a year since I saw him. Since he is

my father, I respect him.

I respect him because he is my father. As

he is my neighbour, I respect him

As he was not feeling well, he did not eat anything

96. ‗OR‘ is used to introduce an alternative.

Ex.- Do or die.

Your purse ‗OR‘ your life.

‗OR‘ is used to mean ‗otherwise‘

We must hasten or night will overtake us.

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‗OR‘ is used to show several Alternatives

He may study physics or chemistry or Biology or he may enter into trade. 97.

‗WHILE‘ IS USED TO MEAN-

(i) During the time that, as long as Ex:

While there is hope there is life.

While he was sleeping, an enemy entered in the house. (ii)At

the same time that

The girl sang while the boys danced.

98. ‗ONLY‘ as a conjunction means-Except that Ex.- A

very pretty woman, only she squints a little.

99. Adverb ‗ENOUGH‘ is always placed after the word which it qualifies.

Ex.- Is the hall big enough?

He spoke loud enough to be heard.

She is wise enough to understand your intention.

He had enough money to buy this car. (Correct)

He is faster enough to defeat you. [use fast]

He is bravest enough to be selected for the post of soldier [use brave] 100.

‗Else‘ should be followed by ‗but‘

Ex.- It is nothing else than pride. (Incorrect)

It is nothing else but pride. (Correct)

Rohit has no one else to talk to except his wife. (Incorrect)

Rohit has no one else to talk to but his wife. (Correct)