Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 30

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1.  
   • Rita was as good a singer as her.   (wrong)
   • Rita was as good a singer as she.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : 'She' is the subject of the deleted predicate 'was a good singer'. 
2.  
   • You cannot tell us people what to drink.  (wrong)
   • You cannot tell we people what to drink.   (wrong)
   • You cannot tell us what to drink.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : In 'us', 'people' is redundant. 
3.  
   • Though he is fat yet he runs fast.   (wrong)
   • Though he is fat, her runs fast.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : 'Though' is the conjunction and a second conjunction - 'but', 'yet' or 'still' is not required. 
4.  
   • If he is fat then he will run slowly.   (wrong)
   • If he is fat, he will run slowly.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : In a conditional clause, the consequent clause need not have 'then'. 
5.  
   • As I fired at the tiger at that time he shook my arm.  (wrong)
     
   • As I fired at the tiger, he shook my arm.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : The first clause refers to a point of time, its repetition (at that time) is redundant. 
6.  
   • Because he is clever therefore (or so) he gets good marks.   (wrong)
   • Because he is clever, he gets good marks.   (correct)
   • Explanation : In a clause-effect sentence, if the cause is indicated by 'because', the result clause doe not need 'therefore'. 
7.  
   • He did not come to school. Because he was ill.   (wrong)
   • He did not come to school because he was ill.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : The clause that indicates the cause cannot be separated from the clause that indicates its effect. 
8.  
   • No sooner I had spoken, than he left.   (wrong)
   • No sooner had I spoken than he left.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : Just like 'never', if a sentence begins with 'no sooner', the auxiliary precedes the subject. 
9.  
   • I have bought many fireworks, such as rockets and etc.   (wrong)
   • I have bought many fireworks, such as rockets.   (correct)
   • • Explanation : It would be good if that overworked Latin abbreviation 'etc.' was forbidden in all composition. 
10.  
    • I want to know as to why I have been detained.   (wrong)
    • I want to know why I have been detained.   (correct)
    • • Explanation : In modern English 'as to' is not needed to connect a clause with the main clause. 
11.  
    • This is my friend, he was at school with me.   (wrong)
    • This is my friend who was at school with me.   (correct)
    • • Explanation : 'Who' is needed if the relative clause is attached to the noun phrase 'my friend'.

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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