Advanced Non -verbal reasoning for bank recruitment test

Common Error -How to avoid them?

1. Error in use of conjunction

2. Error in use of articles
3. Error in use of pronoun
4. Error in use of preposition
5. Error of subject verb agreement
6. Error in use of infinitive
7. Error in use of gerund
8. Error in use of tense
9. Error in use of adjectives
10. Error in use of adverbs
11. Error in use of noun

ethiosurgery@[Link]
1. Error in use of conjunction

A Conjunction is a word used for joining-

o One word to another word 
o One word to a clause 
o One sentence to another sentence

Errors in use of Conjunction:

1.
‘Scarcely’ and ‘hardly’ is followed by ‘when’.
Example: hardly had I slept when the telephone rang.

2· 
‘Though’ is followed by ‘yet’.
Example: Though ram work hard yet he failed.

3· 
‘No sooner’ is followed by ‘than’.
Example: No sooner did he reach there it began to rain.

4· 
‘Not only’ is followed by ‘but also’.
Example: Not only did he help her, but also dropped her home safely.

5· 
‘Lest’ is negative so should not be followed by ‘not’; it is followed by ‘should’.
Example: Work hard lest you should fail.

6.
If ‘would or may’ is used in place of ‘should’, then ‘else’ should be used in
place of ‘lest’.
Example: Leave on time, else, you would miss the train.

7. 
‘Both’ is complimented by ‘and’, not by ‘as well as’.
Example: Both Bimal and Kamal are good at English.

8. 
‘So …. As’ is used in negative sentences, whereas ‘as …. As’ is used in
affirmative sentences.
Example: He is not so tall as his brother.

9. 
‘Other’ is followed by ‘than’.
Example: He has no other claim than his wealth.

10.
The word ‘reason’ is not followed by ‘because’, but by ‘that’.
Example: The reason why he did not go to the party was that his mother was
ill.

11.
‘Because’ denote reason.
‘In order’ that denotes purpose.
Example: He went to the doctor because he was ill.
Another example: He went to Delhi in order that he might see Mr. Bose.

12.
Word such as regard, describe, define, treat, mention, depict, portray are
followed by ‘as’.
Example: He was treated as a slave.

13.
'As’ and ‘since’ are also used to express reason.
Example: As he was not there, I spoke to his brother.

14. 
‘Neither’ is followed by ‘nor’ and both are followed by same auxiliary verb.
Example: Neither Ram nor Raghu was seen.

15.
‘Either’ is followed by ‘or’.
Example: Either Rita or Rima will give her book.

16.
‘Unless’, ‘Until’,’’ If not, ‘so that’ should not be followed by ‘not’.
Example: wait here until I come.

17.
‘If’ is used in conditional sense.
‘Whether’ is used in uncertainty.
Example: If he does not return the book, he will not be awarded the
certificate.
Another example: I do not know whether he was present.

18.
To express time before use ‘until’ or ‘till’ and to express how long use ‘as long
as’.
Example: work as long as you live.

19.
‘Such’ is followed by ‘as’.
Example: He is such a writer, as everybody should read his book.

20.
‘Such’ is followed by ‘that’ if we emphasis degree of something by mentioning
the result.
Example: the extant of the disaster was such that the authorities were unable
to cope.

20 (A)
'Like’ is followed by pronoun; ‘as’ is followed by a clause.
Example: He look like he brother.
 Errors in the Use of Conjunctions

A Conjunction in English Grammar is merely a connecting word and it

has no other function except joining two words, phrases or clauses in a
sentence.

There are certain common errors made in English Grammar by the user.
Let us highlight a few of them for our better understanding:

1.       There must not a repetition of Conjunction for the same function:

Error 1                                  

         (Incorrect): Though he is poor, still he dreams big.

(Correct): Though he is poor, he dreams big.

         (Incorrect): As he is tall, so he can’t fit inside.

(Correct): As he is tall, he can’t fit inside. OR He is tall, so he can’t run inside.

         (Incorrect): As I rung the bell, at that time he opened the door.

(Correct): As I rung the bell, he opened the door.

2.       Since the conjunction ‘because’ is enough to join two sentences,

‘therefore’ becomes extraneous.

Example:

Error 2

         (Incorrect): Because he was not hungry therefore we ate without him.

(Correct): Because he was not hungry we ate without him.

         Incorrect: Because he is affluent so he gets a lot of privileges.

Correct: Because he is affluent he gets a lot of privileges.

OR

He is affluent so he gets a lot of privilege.

Incorrect: Since he was upset therefore I said nothing.

Correct: Since he was upset I said nothing.

OR

He was angry; therefore, I said nothing.(It is important to note here that

therefore is not a Conjunction and hence it cannot connect two clauses. As a
transitional verb is must be separated from the rest of the sentence using a
comma.)

3.       Subordinate conjunctions must immediately be followed by the

dependent clause without using a full stop or any other punctuation
mark.

Example:

Error 3

         (Incorrect): She did not attend the wedding. Because she was committed
elsewhere.

(Correct): She did not attend the wedding because she was committed
elsewhere.

4.       In case  of ‘No sooner’ an inverted word order is used which means
that the auxiliary verb precedes the subject .

Example:

Error 4

(Incorrect): No sooner I had reached the office than the boss left.

(Correct): No sooner had I reached the station than theboss left.

 

5.       In case if the first part is negative, the auxiliary verb shall again
precede the subject.

Example:

(Incorrect): Neither he calls nor he messages.

(Correct): Neither does he call nor does he message.

OR

He neither calls nor messages.

6.       When the second clause gives an information which is sudden or

unexpected “but” must be used instead of “and”.

 Error 6

(Incorrect): Their front door was ajar and there seemed to be nobody at

home.

(Correct): Their front door was ajar but there seemed to be nobody at home.

7.       Unless

Unless in itself means ‘if not’, so it will be incorrect to introduce a

second ‘not’ in the sentence

Example:

Correct:         Unless you give the code of the locker, you will be killed.

OR                  If you do not give the code of the locker, you will be killed.

Incorrect:      Unless you do not give the code of the locker, you will be killed.

Lest

8.       Lest also means that-- not, and, therefore, it will be wrong to add
another not in the following clause. ‘Lest’ must always be followed by
modal auxiliary ‘should’.
 Example:

Incorrect:            Take care lest you fail. (Or Take care lest you do not fail.)

Correct:                Take care lest you should fail.

Book your tickets early lest you should miss this opportunity.

9.       Than, as and that

‘Than’ is used after comparative adjectives and adverbs, not ‘As’ or

‘That’

Example:             She is fairer than me.

In the English language, conjunctions come in three basic types: the coordinating
conjunctions, the subordinating conjunctions, and the correlative conjunctions.
1. Coordinating Conjunction. Among the three types of conjunctions, this is
probably the most common one. ...
2. Subordinating Conjunction. ...
3. Correlative Conjunction.

And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet—these are the seven coordinating conjunctions. To
remember all seven, you might want to learn one of these acronyms: FANBOYS, YAFNOBS, or
FONYBAS. Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses.

SPOTTING ERRORS IN CONJUNCTIONS

Exercises - Wrong CONJUNCTIONS
1. He got prize and you got a job.

ans : He got a prize and you got a job. Answer

2. She was degraded both and expelled.

ans : She was both degraded and expelled. Answer

3. He is also guilty and you.

ans : He is guilty and you too. Answer

4. She is an idler and careless to.

ans : She is an idler careless too. Answer

5. He was not only accused but convicted.

ans : He was not only accused, but also convicted. Answer

6. Neither you or he is a thief.

ans : Neither you nor he is a thief. Answer

7. I am sad and hopeful.

ans : I am sad but hopeful. Answer

8. All men were against him; he succeeded.

ans : All men were against him; nevertheless he succeeded. Answer

9. He failed; he stuck to his work.

ans : He failed; however, he stuck to his work. Answer

10. Go where you like; not stay here.

ans : go where you like; else do not stay here.

2. Error in use of articles

Pronoun error
 Incorrect: Both did not come.
Correct: Neither came.
Incorrect: Both of them did not pass the test.
Correct: Neither of them passed the test.

In negative clauses, we use ‘neither’ not both.

Incorrect: Each of these girls sing very well.

Correct: Each of these girls sings very well.
After each and every, we use a singular verb.
Incorrect: We all did not go.
Correct: None of us went.
Incorrect: We all had not been invited.
Correct: None of us had been invited.
Incorrect: One should love his country.
Correct: One should love one’s country.
Incorrect: ‘Have you got a pencil?’ ‘No, I haven’t got.’
Correct: ‘Have you got a pencil?’ ‘No, I haven’t got one.’ / ‘No, I
don’t have one’.

Have is a transitive verb. It needs an object to complete its meaning.

Incorrect: ‘Is he at home?’ ‘Yes, I think.’

Correct: ‘Is he at home?’ ‘Yes, I think so.’
Incorrect: We enjoyed during the holidays.
Correct: We enjoyed ourselves during the holidays.
Enjoy is a transitive verb. It requires an object.
Incorrect: The boy who works hard he will get the prize.
Correct: The boy who works hard will get the prize.
Correct: Whoever works hard will get the prize.

The relative pronoun serves as the subject of the verb in the

relative clause. It is therefore wrong to write another subject.

In this lesson we will take a closer look at some common mistakes in the use of
verbs.
Incorrect: He is waiting for you from 10 o’clock.
Correct: He has been waiting for you since 10 o’clock.
Incorrect: This man is sitting here for the last two hours.
Correct: This man has been sitting here for the last two hours.
Incorrect: We are staying here since 1980.
Correct: We have been staying here since 1980.
Explanation
To talk about actions and situations that started in the past and have continued up
to the present, we use the present perfect continuous tense.
Incorrect: I am going to school by bus.
Correct: I go to school by us.
Incorrect: We are playing tennis every day.
Correct: We play tennis every day.
Explanation
We use the simple present tense to talk about routines and habits. Note that the
present continuous tense is used to talk about actions and situations that are going
on at the moment of speaking.
Incorrect: I said him to go.
Correct: I told him to go.
Incorrect: She told that she would be coming.
Correct: She said that she would be coming.
Explanation
We use tell with a personal object. We use said when there is no personal object.
Incorrect: They discussed about the whole matter.
Correct: They discussed the whole matter.
Explanation
Discuss is one of those verbs that are not followed by a preposition.

Adjectives Examples with Rules

Rule 1: 

While using cardinal and ordinals together, ordinal always precedes the cardinal.

Example: The five first girls will be given the opportunity. (Incorrect)

                 The first five girls will be given the opportunity. (Correct)

Rule 2: 

Adjective of quantity (some, much, little, enough, all, no, any, great half, sufficient, whole, no, any) is used for
uncountable nouns only.

Example: I ate a few rice. (Incorrect)

                 I ate some rice. (Correct)

Note: Few is used for countable nouns.

Rule 3:

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.

Example: I have taught you little things. (Incorrect)

                 I have taught you a few things. (Correct)

Rule 4:

“Elder” and “Eldest” words should be used for persons only and for members of the same family
only. Older and Oldest are used for both things and persons.

Example: She is my older sister. (Incorrect)

                 She is my elder sister. (Correct)

Rule 5:

The comparative adjectives superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior, prefer etc. should be
followed by “to” instead of “than”.

Example: He is senior than me. (Incorrect)

                 He is senior to me. (Correct)

Adjectives Examples with Rules

Rule 6: 

All Adjectives which refer to the same noun should be in the same degree of comparison.

Example: He is the wisest and honest worker in the office.  (Incorrect)

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

Rule 7: 

“Each” is used in speaking of two or more things, “every” is used in speaking of more than two.

Example: Every of the two girls will get an award. (Incorrect)

                 Each of the two boys will get an award. (Correct)

Rule 8:

Adjectives like unique, ideal, entire, chief, square and round, full, extreme, complete, universal, which do not
admit degrees of comparison should not be compared.

Example: It is the most unique thing. (Incorrect)

                 It is a unique thing. (Correct)

Rule 9:

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

Example: I reached at 9 am. But he was latter than I expected.(Incorrect)

                 I reached at 9 am. But he was later than I expected. (Correct)

Rule 10:

Double comparatives and superlatives should not be used.

Example: He is most cleverest boy in the class (Incorrect)

                 He is the cleverest boy in the class.(Correct)

Adjectives Examples with Rules

Rule 11: 

Farther means more distant or advanced; Further means additional;

Example: She insisted on farther improvement.(Incorrect)

                She insisted on further improvement. (Correct)

Rule 12:

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

Example: The population of Bombay is greater than Delhi.(Incorrect)

                 The population of Bombay is greater than that of Delhi. (Correct)

Rule 13:

To express quantity or degree “some” is used in affirmative sentences, any in negative or interrogative
sentences.

Example: Have you bought some apples? (Incorrect)

                 Have you bought any apples? (Correct)

Rule 14:

When the comparison is made by means of a superlative, the thing compared should include the class of
things with which it is compared.

Example: He is the strongest of all other men. (Incorrect)

                 He is the strongest of all men. (Correct)

Adjectives Examples with Rules

Rule 15:

In comparing two things, the comparative degree adjective should be used. the superlative degree adjective
should not be used.

Example: Which is the best of two things? (Incorrect)

                 Which is the better of two things? (Correct)

Rule 16:

When the 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.

Example: He is cleverer than any boy in the class. (Incorrect)

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

Rule 17: 

When two qualities of the same person or thing are compared, the comparative in -er is not used. “More” is
used for this purpose.

Example: He is wiser than brave. (Incorrect)

                 He is more wise than brave. (Correct)

You can also read related concepts

Adjectives Exercises

English Error Spotting – Preposition Rules

English Error Spotting-Conjunction Rules

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 Categories: English

 Tagged: Short Notes, Study Material, Tips and Tricks

CRAM PAL

Errors in use of Adverb:

Adverb are word that add information about the verb.
Rules of Adverb –
1. 
Adverb of time – Often, always, already, just, never, ever, sometimes,
frequently, generally, recently, usually, seldom, hardly rarely, normally etc are
placed before the verb they modify.
Example – 

he often goes to Delhi.

2. 
The adverb ‘enough’ is placed after the adjective.
Example – 

she is cunning enough to tackle him.

3. 
When there are two adverb of place, the smaller unit is usually placed first.
Example – 

Rahul lives in a small village in Bihar.

4. 
If a sentence is introduced by an adverb, inverted form of the adverb is used.
Example – 

Seldom does he visit his uncle.

No sooner did I reach the station Than I met my friend.

5. 
‘Else’ should be followed by ‘But’
Example – 

It is nothing else but sheer madness.

6. 
‘Seldom or never’, ‘Seldom, if ever’, ‘little or nothing’, ‘little, if anything’ is
correct form.
Example – 

Deb seldom or ever meet his relatives.

7. 
Negative adverbs should not be used with the negative meaning word.
Avoid the use of negative with until, unless, lest.

8. 
‘Scarcely’ and ‘Hardly’ are followed by ‘When’ not by ‘Then’.
Example – 

I had scarcely entered the room when the light off.

9. 
‘Though’ is followed by ‘yet’ not by ‘but’
Example – 

Though he is poor, yet he is honest.

10. 
‘Lest’ must be followed by ‘Should’.
Example – 

Read regularly lest you should fail.

11. 
‘Very’ is used with the adjective in the positive degree and with present
participles.
‘Much’ is used with adjectives in the comparative degree and with past
participles.
Example – 
It is very interesting book.
He is very much stronger than I am.

12. 
Adverb ‘as’ should be used to introduce predicative of the verbs, ‘regard,
describe, define, treat, view, know’. But ‘as’ should be avoided with ‘name,
elect, think, consider, call, appoint, make, choose’.
Example – 

He was elected the secretary of our club.

13. 
‘Unless’ expresses condition. ‘Until’ expresses time. They always used in
negative sense. Thus not is never used with ‘unless’ and ‘until’.
How to order adjectives in English

Generally, the adjective order in English is:

1          Quantity or number

2          Quality or opinion

3          Size

4          Age

5          Shape

6          Color [Link]

7          Proper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material)

8          Purpose or qualifier

For example:

 I love that big,old , green, antique car that is parked at the end of the street.
 My sister adopted a beautiful, big, white,bull dog.
 The five, little, silver spoons are on the table.
 An amazing, heart-shaped, red balloon was in the sky.

Degrees of Adjectives

There are three degrees of adjectives.

1. Positive Adjective
2. Comparative Adjective
3. Superlative Adjective

Rules for adjectives

Some Examples:

  Positive    Comparative   Superlative

1 Big Bigger Biggest

2 Great Greater Greatest

3 Short Shorter Shortest

4 Old older oldest

5 Large larger largest

6 Happy happier happiest

7 Lucky luckier luckiest

8 Heavy heavier heaviest

9 Beautiful more beautiful most beautiful

10 Horrible more horrible most horrible

11 good better best

 12 bad worse worst

13 Little less least

14 far farther farthest

  (Any simple grammar book can be referred to for knowing more about degrees of adjectives)

Rule 1

While  making comparisons between two things the comparative degree is used and not the
superlative degree.

Example-She is not the richest of the two sisters.(Incorrect)

                She is the richer of the two sisters. (Correct)

Rule 2

In comparative degree- (adjective + er ) + than  is used. ‘Than’ is used in case of comparison
between two persons or things and an adjective of comparative degree will be used with it.

Example-He is taller than his sister.

Rule 3

If a choice has to be made between two persons or things the comparative degree will be
[Link] the will be used before the comparative degree and ( of the) will be used after the
comparative degree.

The structure will be—

…….the + Comparative + of the…………

Example- Hisar is the better of the two cities.

                Sachin is the better of the two players.

Similarly is the choice is to be made between more than two things or persons the superlative
degree will be used.

The structure will be—

…….the + Superlative degree + of the…………

Example-Hari is the best of all the batsmen in the Indian cricket team.

                English is the easiest of all the languages taught in the school.

Rule 4

If two qualities are to be compared of the same person or thing then we don’t use the
comparative degree. Comparative degree is used for comparison between two different things or
persons. Instead of using the comparative degree more and positive degree will be used.
[Link]

Example- Rahul is luckier than hardworking. (Incorrect)

(Two qualities of the same person that is Rahul are being compared (his luck and his hard
work).So     comparative degree can’t be used.)

Rahul is more lucky than hardworking. (Correct)

Rule 5

If an adjective is to be used between “as………as” and “so……….as” the adjective should be in

positive degree.

As…..as is used to show that something is equally good or bad.

Example- Hisar is as hot as Ganganagar in May.

So…….as is used to show something is not as good or as bad.

Example- Bhopal is not so developed as Delhi.

This rule is also applicable in adverbs.

Example- Geeta danced as gracefully as Lata.

Rule 6

Article the is used before superlative degree as it becomes definite.

Example- Ludhiana is the most polluted city of Punjab.

Rule 7

Puneet is taller than any boy in the class. (Incorrect)

Puneet is taller than any other boy in the class. (Correct)

In both these sentences we are comparing Puneet to any boy in the class but one at a time. In
such sentences where we wish to state that someone or something is better or worse than the rest
but is to be taken one at a time any other will be used.

Some more examples-

Maths is more interesting than any other subject.

January is colder than any other month of the year.

Rule 8

In comparative degree than is used. But for adjectives ending in ‘ior’ than is not used, instead
‘to’ is used .

List of such adjectives-

Superior, inferior, junior ,senior, prior, anterior, posterior, exterior, interior etc.

Example- He was junior than I in college. (Incorrect)

                He was junior to me in college. (Correct)

Rule 9

Certain adjectives can’t be used in comparative and superlative degree.

Example-

1. A) The presentation was perfect. (Correct)

2. B) Your presentation was more perfect. (Incorrect)
3. C) His presentation was the most perfect (Incorrect)

Both the sentences B and C are [Link] means flawless. When we are already saying
something is perfect it means it is flawless so more perfect and most perfect can’t be used.

List of such words that can’t be used in comparative and superlative degree are-

Supreme,impossible,absolute,ideal,everlasting,eternal,triangular, square, round, major, minor,

complete, entire, chief, extreme, excellent, minor, ulterior, universal, unique ,last and final.

1. a) Darjeeling tea is the most superior tea in India. (Incorrect)

2. b) Darjeeling tea is superior to any other tea grown in India. (Correct)

Rule 10

If two adjectives are being used for the same noun or pronoun than the adjective should be in the
same degree .

Example- India is the greatest and tolerant country. (Incorrect)

                India is a great and tolerant country.(Correct) [Link]

Rule 11

For directions and some other adjectives there is positive and superlative degree only. There is
no comparative degree.

    POSITIVE  DEGREE                         SUPERLATIVE  DEGREE

1                             Top                                                    topmost

2             Centre                                             Centremost

 3             Right                                                   rightmost

4             Bottom                                              bottommost

5             Northern                                               northernmost

Rule 12

The same word can be an adjective in a sentence and a noun in another sentence. For certain
words that are mostly used as nouns if they are used as an adjective in a sentence they can’t be
used in the plural form.

Example- The tables cloth was washed, ironed and spread on the table.

Table is a noun but here it is used as an adjective. So tables can’t be used but table will be used.

Rule 13           Special note: Prefer and preferable.

1          It is used in comparative degree only.

2          We use the preposition to with it and not than although it is in the comparative degree.
We do not use more with prefer.

3          Prefer to can be replaced by rather than.

            I prefer walking to running.

            I prefer walking rather than running.

Rule 14

There are certain adjectives if we use the before them they will become plural common noun.

In such sentences the verb will be plural.

Example – The rich people feel the law can be turned and twisted.

In the given sentence people is the noun and rich is the adjective. But if we remove people from
the sentence

we are left with:

The rich feel the law can be turned and twisted. (Now the noun people has been removed so rich
can’t be

an adjective as adjective is associated to noun or pronoun. So now rich functions as a noun itself
and the can

be used before it along with a plural verb. The adjective becomes a noun.

More examples-

a) The blind are demanding reservation in jobs.

b) The rich are getting richer day by day.

c) The injured were in the thousands.

d) Millions join the ranks of the unemployed worldwide every year.

1. e) There are no plans to provide cheap housing for the homeless.

Rule 15

With certain adjectives if we add ‘ly’ it becomes an adverb.

Example  –

   Adjective      Adverb

    sweet               sweetly

   Bad                   badly

  Polite               politely

This does not mean that when ‘ly’ is added to all the adjectives they become adverbs. Students
commit errors by making words which do not even exist such as fastly. She spoke fastly. This is
incorrect. The correct usage will be she spoke fast. Certain words will be used as adjectives as
well as adverbs. There won’t be any change in their usage.

Example-

1. a) Rajiv is my fast friend. (Fast is an adjective)

2. b) He drove very fast. (Fast is an adverb)

The following words may be used both as adjectives and adverbs

Fast

 Modern man leads a fast life. (Here the adjective fast modifies the noun life.)
 He drove the car fast. (Here the adverb fast modifies the verb drove.)

Half

 Each of them has half ownership in the property. (Here the adjective half modifies the noun
ownership.)
  She was half crying, half laughing. (Here the adverb half modifies the verbs crying and laughing.)
 She is half Spanish, half French. (Here the adverb half modifies the adjectives Spanish and
French.)

Straight

 Don’t expect to get a straight answer from her. (Here the adjective straight modifies the noun
answer.)
 She went straight home. (Here the adverb straight modifies the verb went.)

Just

 The train just left. (Adverb)

 He arrived just in time. (Adverb)
 God is just. (Adjective)

Late

 The engagement ceremony is in the late evening. (Adjective)

 He arrived late. (Adverb)
 She worked late. (Adverb)

Low

 We are low on money supply. (Adjective)

 Her voice was low. (Adjective)
 She turned the gas down low. (Adverb)
 The helicopter flew low over the trees. (Adverb)

Most

 This is the most expensive gadget I have bought. (Adverb)

 Most people enjoy playing with kids. (Adjective)

Clean

 He is very clean in his habits. (Adjective)

 We want to play the game clean. (Adverb)

Adjectives ending in -ly

The following words can be used only as adjectives and not as adverbs:

beastly, costly, cowardly, deadly, friendly, likely, brotherly, kingly, leisurely, lovely, lively,
womanly, princely, scholarly, silly, ugly and unlikely.
She offered some friendly advice. (Here the adjective friendly modifies the noun advice.)

There are no adverbs friendly/friendlily. Instead we use an adverb phrase.

a) She offered some advice in a friendly manner.

b) He behaved in a cowardly manner.

With verbs relating to our senses (sight, smell, taste, hear and feel) an adjective is used and not
an adverb.

Example-

 The food tastes badly.(Incorrect)

  The food tastes bad.(Correct)
 The child behaved badly at the party.(Correct -Adverb will be used as behave is not related to
senses)
   It feels coldly.(Incorrect- Feel is related to the senses)
   He replied coldly to my question.(correct)

With other verbs like seem, like, look, prove, make, keep, grow, get, turn, be and become the
adjective is used instead of the adverb.

1. He proved it right.
2.  It is rightly said that hard work leads to success.
3. It becomes hot after sunrise.
4.  It is a hotly debated matter across the globe.

Rule 16

If there is the need to use two prepositions in a sentence with two adjectives then use it.

Rule 17

An ordinal number is an adjective that denotes what place an object has in a certain order.

Example – first , second, third, fourth …………….

Cardinal number tells us about the number of things.

Example- one ,two, three ,four, five……………………….

Ordinal adjective is used before a cardinal adjective.

 o The first two classes went smoothly.
o The first five people were given a surprise gift by the store.

Rule 18           Confusing adjectives

Many – Much

Use much with collective nouns and singular nouns. Use many with plural nouns. Here’s an
example.

 Geeta doesn’t have much food.

 Chitra doesn’t have many friends.

Few – A Few

A few represents a positive quantity, but it can only be used with countable nouns.

The word few represents a negative quantity or shortage.

 Julie has a few friends although she is new in the city.

 Julie has few friends although she has been in the city for two years.

Little – A little

Like few and a few, the little and a little represent negative and positive quantities.

Always use a little with non-countable nouns. The word little expresses a negative quantity.

 There is a little sauce left for you to eat with the bread.
 He has been studying this topic for the last three days but there is little improvement.
 There is little hope of his survival as his head was nearly crushed in the accident

Farther – Further

Farther (root word far) is always used for distance, and further (think furthermore) means
advancement.

 How much farther is Rohtak from Hisar?

 I am too tired to walk any farther.
 Further topics will be covered next week.
 Please wait for further instructions.

Last – Latter- Latest

Last is the opposite of first, the latter is the opposite of the former and the latest means the most
recent.

 Read the first and last paragraphs today.

 Of the two choices, I prefer the latter.
 The last question was out of the [Link]
 The former teacher was better.
 The latest innovations were mind blowing.
 What is the latest news from the border?

Late / lately

Late can be an adjective or an adverb that means after the correct time.

 I’m not hungry because I had a late lunch. (adjective)

 I was late for the exam.
 He slept late and missed his first class. (adverb)
 Lately is an adverb that means the same as recently.
 I haven’t studied a lot lately.

Hard / hardly

Hard can be an adjective or an adverb.

 This book is too hard for me. I can’t read it. (hard is an adjective meaning difficult)
 This mattress is too hard. I can’t sleep. (hard is an adjective meaning opposite of “soft”)
 She’s working hard to finish the project by tomorrow. (hard is an adverb meaning working
intensely)

Hardly has a completely different meaning. It means “almost not.”

 We have a bad connection, I can hardly hear you. ( I almost can’t hear you)

Nearest/Next

Nearest is closest in distance. Next means the next in order.

Examples-

 The next six months will be the hardest to survive.

 The next chapter is a very simple one.
 Who’s is next in the queue?
 The week after next.

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