English imp

golden rules of grammar for error detection and sentence improvement
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.
For example,
Incorrect- Every boy and girl were ready.
Correct- Every boy and girl was ready.
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 bced 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. '
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.
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.
For example,
Incorrect- I heard him to speak on several subjects.
Correct- I heard him speak on several subjects.
14. Bare Infinitive is used after Modal Auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, dare not, need not).
For example,
Incorrect- You need not to work hard.
Correct- You need not work hard.
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 fol¬lowed by Bare Infinitive.
For example,
Incorrect- He had better read than to write.
Correct- He had better read than write.
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