Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations (Tenses) - Part 13

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1.  
   • She is one of the best players, who have ever played.  (wrong)
   • She is one of the best players, who has ever played.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : The relative clause is for 'she', which is singular. Hence the singular verb.
2.  
   • When Rita shall come she will bring grapes.  (wrong)
   • When Rita comes she will bring grapes.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : Here 'when' refers to the condition and a conditional clause is never in the future tense. Instead, the present tense is used. 
3.  
   • Robin was sent to London to educate.  (wrong)
   • Robin was sent to London to be educated.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : Since Robin will undergo training, the verb referring to him has to be in the passive voice.
4.  
   • It is to hope that he will reach on time.  (wrong)
     
   • It is hoped that he will reach on time.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : 'It is hoped' is the passive form of 'someone  hopes'.
5.  
   • I have forgot what she said.  (wrong)
   • I have forgotten what she said.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : In present perfect, the verb is the past perfect participle. The past participle form of forgot is forgotten. 
6.  
   • He eat lunch and thanked me. (wrong)
   • He ate lunch and thanked me.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : The second verb suggests that the action indicated in the first clause is in the past tense. The past tense of eat is ate. 
7.  
   • He absolutely denied that he was not a thief.  (wrong)
   • He absolutely denied that he was a thief.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : The context suggests that he denied that he was a thief. The adverb 'absolutely', when used with 'deny', suggest the refutal of a positive sentence. 
8.  
   • He said to me that he was going at that time.  (wrong)
   • He told me that he was going at that time.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : We use 'tell' where we communicate information to someone. 'Say to' is used in the same context. However, when we just use say, it means 'to utter words'. 
9.  
   • The criminal will be hung tomorrow.  (wrong)
   • The criminal will be hanged tomorrow.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : Hung, in the sense of 'kill someone by tying a rope around his neck' has 'hanged' as its past and participle form. Hang in the sense of 'to suspend from above' has 'hung' as the past participle form. 
10.  
    • How many years old are that building ? (wrong)
    • How many years old is that building ?  (correct)
    • •  Explanation : The verb has to agree with 'old', which is always singular.

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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