Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 39

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1.  
   • I am fond of outdoor games; for instance, hockey, football and others and so on and such like.  (wrong)
   • I am fond of outdoor games, for example, football.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : After 'for instance' and 'for example' only one or at the most two examples are usually required and additions like 'and others, etc.,' 'and so on' should be omitted. 
2.  
   • No, please. (wrong)
   • No, sir, or No, thank you. (depending on the context). (correct)
     
   • • Explanation : 'No, please' is not used. 'Yes, please' and 'No, thank you' are the polite replies when accepting and declining some offer. 'No, sir' is a polite reply to a question asking for information, e.g., 'Has the letter gone?', 'No, sir'. 
3.   
   • He made a 360-degree turn in his plans.  (wrong)
   • He made a 180-degree turn in his plans.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : When you turn 360 degrees you have completed a circle and are back where you started. So if you want to describe a position that's diametrically opposed to another, the expression you want is not '360 degrees away' but '180 degrees away'. 
4.  
   • The budget shortfall was able to be solved by selling brownies.  (wrong)
   • The minister was able to solve the budget shortfall.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : People are able to do things, but things are not able to be done. 
5.  
   • I did illude to my son's success.  (wrong)
   • I did allude to my son's success.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : 'Allude' means refer. There is no such word as 'illude'. 
6.  
   • Anyone of the tickets may win.  (wrong)
   • Any one of the tickets may win.  (correct)
   • • When it means 'anybody', 'anyone' is spelled as a single word : 'anyone can enter the drawing competition.' But when it means 'any single one,' 'any one' is spelled as two words:' 'any one' of the tickets may win. 
7.  
   • It was an anteclimax.   (wrong)
   • It was an anticlimax.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : When an exciting, build-up leads to a disappointing end, the result is an anticlimax - the opposite of a climax. The prefix 'anti-' is sued to indicate opposition, whereas the prefix 'ante-' is used to indicate that something precedes something else; so be careful not to misspell this word as 'anteclimax'. 
8.  
   • His behaviour is amoral. (wrong)
   • His behaviour is immoral.  (correct)
   • Explanation :  'Amoral' is a rather technical word meaning unrelated to morality or indifferent to morality. When you mean to denounce someone's behaviour, call it 'immoral'. 
9.  
   • Enclosed is the shipment as per your order.  (wrong)
   • Enclosed is the shipment you ordered.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : The first sentence sounds very old fashioned and pretentious. The meaning is 'in accordance with', or 'in response to the request made', but it is better to avoid these substitutes altogether. 
10.  
    • I would like to apprise you of its value.  (wrong)
    • I would like to appraise you of its value.  (correct)
    • • Explanation : When you estimate the value of something, you 'appraise' it. When you inform people of a situation, you 'apprise' them of it. 
11.  
    • The CEO had a high opinion of himself and as such expected everyone to obey his orders instantly.  (wrong)
    • The CEO was a former drill sergeant, and as such expected everyone to obey his orders instantly.  (correct)
    • • Explanation : The expression 'as such' has to refer to some status mentioned earlier. In this case 'such' refers back to 'former drill sergeant'. But often people only imply that which is referred to, as in 'as such'. Here the 'such' cannot logically refer back to 'opinion.' In such a case, replace 'as such' with 'therefore'.

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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