Common Mistakes in English Language Examinations By Eguriase S. M. Okaka

 

COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS

BY EGURIASE S. M. OKAKA

 

INTRO-WORDS

“When a faulty sentence is set for correction, as a grammatical exercise, avoid changing the construction more than is necessary for the removal of the error. By casting the sentence in an entirely different form, you raise suspicion that you have not seen exactly where the blunder comes in, whereas an alteration confined to the word which is wrong, shows that you have detected the weak place.”

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: One

Correct the Incorrect Nouns in the following sentences or phrases.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        We have three bread.                               We have three loaves of bread

·        Ulysses is a nice poetry.                            Ulysses is a nice poem.

·        A great quantity of books            .                       A great number of books.

·        You have to signature here.                    You have to sign here.

·        We found no place in the inn.                We found no room in the inn.

·        He keeps a bad association.                    He keeps a bad company.

·        Nigerian weather is good.                       Nigerian climate is good. 

·        Ada got boarding and lodging.               Ada got board and lodging.

·        The class enjoyed the theatre.               The class enjoyed the play.

·        We have a big number of money.         We have a big amount of money.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Two

Correct the Incorrect Pronouns in the following sentences or phrases.

 

Incorrect Questions                                 Correct Answer

·        Whom am I?                                                Who am I?

·        Let you and I try it.                                                Let you and me try it.

·        The dog lost it’s tail.                                   The dog lost its tail.

·        I, you and Obi are friends.                       You, Obi and I are friends.

·        Between you and I is a plate of food.   Between you and me is a plate of                                                                                 food.

·        Either of the three girls have this bag. Either of three girls has this bag.

·        I am taller than him.                                  I am taller than he.

·        My sister is not as bold as her.               My sister is not as bold as she.

·        Neither of them paid their dues.           Neither of them paid his dues.

·        Neither of these works suited me.        None of these works suited me.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Three

Correct the Incorrect adjectives in the following sentences or phrase.

 

Incorrect Questions                                 Correct Answers

·        I am ill of your troubles.                           I am sick of your troubles.

·        Mr. Joseph is sick.                                      Mr. Joseph is ill.

·        James only is trustworthy.                      James alone is trustworthy.

·        A little number of boys will do               A small number of boys will do

the work.                                                      the work.

·        My mathematics knowledge.                 My knowledge of mathematics.

·        We left yesterday night.                           We left last night.

·        I prefer the last book.                               I prefer the later book.

·        Mary is greater than all women.           Mary is greater than other women.

·        St. Francis is the greatest of other         St. Francis is the greatest of all holy

holy men.                                                     men.

·        No less than twenty boys.                       No fewer than twenty boys.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Four

Correct the Incorrect verb in the following sentences or phrases.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        She talks French well.                               She speaks French well.

·        She spoke a lie.                                           She told a lie.

·        I like my mother.                                        I love my mother.

·        I love a cup of coffee.                               I like a cup of coffee.

·        I expect to pass my exams.                      I hope to pass my examinations.

·        Obi gave me a visit.                                   Obi paid me a visit.

·        Captain Ado’s boat drowned                  Captain Ado’s boat sank.

·        More than one bricklayers were          

Killed.                                                             More than one bricklayer was killed.

·        I know Musa for a long time.                  I have known Musa for a long time.

·        Keep the cup on the table.                      Put the cup on the table.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Five

Correct the incorrect Adverbs in the following sentences and phrases.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        It was too hot yesterday.                         It was very hot yesterday.

·        Okeke was hardly hit by that.                Okeke was hard hit by that.

·        Okafor left somewhat two years

ago.                                                                Okafor left some two years ago.

·        Ada will come here today’s night.         Ada will come here tonight.

·        He tried to come more early.                 He tried to come earlier.

·        He is feeling some better.                        He is feeling somewhat better.

·        I visited him long before.                         I visited him long ago.

·        Presently, I am trying my best.              At present, I am trying my best.

·        He is somewhat tall of his age.               He is rather tall for his age.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Six

Correct the incorrect Conjunctions in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        I asked him but why he was absent.     I asked him why he was absent.

·        And when I come I must stay on.          When I come I must stay on.

·        Now he has come, he will fulfill his       Now that he has come, he will

promise.                                                       fulfill his promise.

·        Make good use of him as he is               Make good use of him as long as

with you.                                                      he is with you.

·        Neither him and the boy kept                Neither him nor the boy kept his

their promise.                                             promise.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Seven

Correct the Incorrect Prepositions in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        I prefer beans for rice.                              I prefer beans to rice.

·        I am suffering from headache                I have been suffering from headache

since two age.                                             for two days.

·        You did not agree with my opinion.     You did not agree to my opinion.

·        There is no other alternative but           There is no other alternative than to

to go there.                                                  go there.

·        I have no interest for mathematics.      I have no interest in mathematics.

·        Obi was proud with his position.           Obi was proud of his position.

·        I was angry with his conduct.                 I was angry at his conduct.

·        I asked him of a favor.                              I asked him for a favor.

·        Your views differ with mine.                   Your views differ from mine.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Eight

Correct the Incorrect Articles in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answers

·        Do not call your brother fool.                Do not call your brother a fool.

·        We went out for walk on                         We went out for a walk on

Wednesday.                                                            Wednesday.

·        Take a care of it.                                         Take care of it.

·        I lost hundred of chances.                       I lost a hundred of chances.

·        Obi caught him by hand.                         Obi caught him by the hand.

·        Take Orange please.                                  Take an Orange please.

·        Do you want the blue or brown?          Do you want the blue or the brown?

·        The teacher and student came               The teacher and the student came

here today.                                                  here today.

·        Two bags and half.                                                Two bags and a half.

·        He lost many great chances.                   He lost a great many chances.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Nine

Correct the Incorrect Number in the following Sentences or Phrases.

 

Incorrect Questions                                 Correct Answers

·        He took all his furnitures.                                    He took all the furniture.

·        How golden the sceneries are.               How golden the scenery is.

·        Good informations!                                   Good information!

·        The automobile is beyond repairs.        The automobile is beyond repair.

·        The church is built of bricks.                   The church is built of brick.

·        Two-third of it is false.                              Two-thirds of it is false.

·        Madam Eze felt out of sorts.                   Madam Eze felt out of sort.

·        One of my friend invites me.                  One of my friends invites me.

·        I got full mark in mathematics.              I got full marks in mathematics.

·        Babangida like vegetable.                        Babangida likes vegetables.

 

OUESTION AND ANSWER: Ten

Correct the Incorrect Omission in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question:                                  Correct Answer

·        Peter is my elder.                                       Peter is my elder brother.

·        I have an urgent business at hand.       I have an urgent piece of business at                                                                           hand.

·        He was greater than any man.               He was greater than any other man.

·        She availed of my offer.                           She availed herself of my offer.

·        In the school, we live in a boarding.     In the school, we live in a boarding                                                                              house.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Eleven

Correct the Incorrect Correlative in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        Both Obi as well as Ada were

Present.                                                        Both Obi and Ada were present.

·        Such a fool like him is rare.                     Such a fool as him is rare.

·        Guinness is good for both body             Guinness is good for the body and

and mind.                                                     mind.

·        He has the center monopoly of             He has the monopoly of this

this production.                                          production.

·        Aristotle was not only the maker          Aristotle was the maker of philosophy

of Philosophy but also of science.                     and science.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Twelve

Correct the Incorrect Gerund in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        Ngozi preferred to read than                

to write.                                                        Ngozi preferred reading to writing.

·        It helps instead of prevents us.              It helps instead of preventing us.

·        The bereaved wife could not                  The bereaved wife could not help

help to shed tears.                                     shedding tears.

·        What do you think of my                         What do you think of my daughter’s

daughter being a doctor?                                    being a doctor?

·        I ask your favor of doing this                  I ask the favor of you doing this for

for me.                                                          me.

 

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Thirteen

Correct the Incorrect Negatives in the following sentences.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Question

·        He denied that he was not a chief.        He denied that he was a chief.

·        I don’t hardly think he will come.          I hardly think he will come.

·        Unless you do not go there, you            Unless you go there, you cannot have cannot have any peace.                            any peace.

·        I have not seen John since long.                        I saw John since long.

·        I cannot be able to do it.                          I cannot do it or I am not able to do it.

 

QUESTION AND ANSWER: Fourteen

Correct the Incorrect Spelling in the following commonly misspoken words.

 

Incorrect Question                                   Correct Answer

·        Accomodation                                            Accommodation

·        Assasin                                                          Assassin

·        Briliant                                                           Brilliant

·        Comparism                                                  Comparison

·        Comitee                                                        Committee

·        Corespondence                                          Correspondence

·        Pibre                                                              Fiber

·        Addmission                                                  Admission

·        Appology                                                      Apology

·        Handwork                                                    Hands work

·        Lacretive                                                       Lucrative

·        Masqurade                                                  Masquerade

·        Dining-hall                                                    Dinning-hall

·        Kindagattin                                                  Kindergarten

·        Personel                                                        Personnel

·        Mordern                                                       Modern

·        Littcrature                                                    Literature

·        Govenment                                                 Government

·        Expecially                                                      Especially

·        Recieve                                                          Receive

·        Greiverance                                                 Grievance

·        Gorilla                                                            Guerilla

·        Isosoceles                                                     Isosceles

·        Massaca                                                        Massacre

 

ASSORTED COMMON MISTAKES

·        (Prefer)         I prefer rice to beans – Right.

I prefer rice of beans - Wrong.

·        (Both)            Both Ray and his wife were here. – Right

Both Ray and his wife and their son were here. – Wrong

·        (Majority)    The majority carries the vote. – Right

Majority carries the vote. – Wrong

·        (In the form of)      The spirit came in the form of a dove. – Right

The spirit came in form of a dove. – Wrong

·        (The people)           These people are good. – Right

This people are good. – Wrong

·        (Every one)              Get a cup and plate every one of you. – Right

Get a cup and plate, everyone of you. – Wrong

·        (Evidence)               This is evidence of his wisdom. – Right

This is an evidence of his wisdom. -  Wrong

·        (Personnel)             The personnel department is trying. – Right

The Personnel department are trying. – Wrong

·        (Accommodation) He wants accommodation in Zik’s villa. – Right

He wants an accommodation in Zik’s villa. – Wrong

·        (Material)                He is not good material for the priesthood. –Right

He is not a good material for the priesthood. – Wrong

·        (Bribe)                      He took a bribe from them. – Right

He took bribe from them. – Wrong

·        (Address of welcome)     The principal gave the address of welcome. –Right

The principal gave the welcome address. – Wrong

·        (Gossip)                    A gossip is a dangerous person. – Right

A gossiper is a dangerous person. – Wrong

·        (Deep freeze)         A deep freeze is a useful property. – Right

A deep freezer is a useful property. – Wrong

·        (Book lunch)           The book lunch was successful. – Right

The book lunching was successful. – Wrong

·        (The following)      The laborers were asked to bring the following:                                                      cutlasses, stoves, hoes, et cetera. – Right

The laborers were asked to bring the following cutlasses, stoves, hoes, etc. – Wrong

·        (Company)               She prefers the company of girls to boys. – Right

She prefers the companies of girls to boys. – Wrong

·        (In the long run)    In the long run, I got what I wanted. – Right

In long run, I got what I wanted. – Wrong

·        (Congratulate on) I congratulate you on your success. – Right

I congratulate you in your success. – Wrong

·        (Look forward)       Christ looks forward to seeing us in heaven. – Right

Christ looks forward to see us in heaven. Wrong

·        (How is)                    How is your health? – Right

What of your health? – Wrong

·        (A stone’s throw)  The market is a stone’s throw from here. – Right

The market is a stonethrow from here. – Wrong

·        (Passed with)         Eguriase passed his Ph.D examination with flying colors.                                      - Right

Eguriase passed his Ph. D examination in flying colors.       - Wrong

·        (In the money)       Okocha is in the money now. – Right

Okocha is in money now. – Wrong

·        (If you were)           If you were here my brother would not have died.                                                  - Right

If to say you were here, my brother would not have died. – Wrong

·        (To blame)               Sylvester is to blame for everything that happened.                                               - Right

Sylvester is to be blamed for everything that happened.

-         Wrong

·        (Round off)              We rounded off the meeting at 4:30p.m. – Right

We rounded up the meeting at 4:30p.m. – Wrong

·        (As of now)              As of now we have no need of a canteen. – Right

As at now we have no need of a canteen. – Wrong

·        (In case)                    In case you decide to come, have my key. – Right

Should in case you decide to come, have my key. – Wrong

·        (More often than not)     She attends fellowship more often than not. –                                                         Right

She attends fellowship most often than not. – wrong

·        (On holiday)                                    The Students of All Hallow’s Seminary Onitsha, are                                                on holiday. – Right

The Students of All Hallow’s Seminary Onitsha, are on holidays.              Wrong

·        (Sleeping dog)                    They decided that sleeping dogs should lie. – Right

They decided that the sleeping dogs should lie. - Wrong

·        (Pick to piece)                    In the court, the lawyer picked him to pieces. –                                                       Right

In the court, the lawyer preceded him. –Wrong

·        (From the outset)             From the outset he was very strict to her. – Right

From the outset he was very strict on her. – Wrong

·        (No alternative but)         The pastor has no alternative but to marry a                                                            member of his congregation. – Right

The pastor has no alternative than to marry a member of his congregation. – Wrong

·        (Next door)                         His house is next door to mine. -  Right

His house is next door to my. – Wrong

·        (No option than)               His opponent has no option than to throw in the                                                    towel. -  Right

His opponent has no option other than to throw in towel. – Wrong

·        (In turns)                              Members should pick their cards in turns. – Right

Members should pick their cards turn by turn. – Wrong

·        (In my opinion)                  Love, in my opinion is the greatest virtues. – Right

Love, to my opinion is the greatest of all virtues. – Wrong

·        (Invest in)                            The Rector of St. Paul’s Seminary Benin City was                                                     happy to invest in Agriculture.  - Right

The Rector of St. Paul’s Seminary Benin City was happy to invest on Agriculture. – Wrong

·        (Operated on)                    She was operated on to deliver her baby. – Right

She was operated to deliver her baby. – Wrong

·        (Good at)                              Mark Donald is good at public speaking. – Right

Mark Donald is good in public speaking. – Wrong

·        (Reply to)                             The guest of honor replied to the vote of thanks. –                                                 Right

The guest of honor replied the vote of thanks. – Wrong

·        (Result in)                            Laziness results in failure. – Right

Laziness result to failure. – Wrong

·        (Authority on)                    Isaac Newton is an authority on Mathematics                                                          and Physics. – Right

Isaac Newton is an authority in Mathematics and Physics. - Wrong

·        (Directorate of)                 Mary Fidel is in charge of the Directorate of                                                              Industrial Agro-food. - Right

Mary Fidel is in charge of the Directorate for Industrial Agro-foods. – Wrong

·        (Understand)                      The present Pope understands thirty languages. –                                                  Right

The present Pope hears thirty languages. – Wrong

·        (Entitled)     Chinua Achebe entitled his book, “Things Fall Apart”.- Right      

 

                        Chinua Achebe titled his book “Things Fall Apart”. – Wrong

·        (Did see)      I did see my uncle yesterday.- Right

I did saw my uncle yesterday. – Wrong

·        (Suppose to)           The defaulters are supposed to see the disciplinarian for                                      their punishment. – Right

The defaulters suppose to see the disciplinarian for their punishment. – Wrong

·        (Order)                     The pastor ordered Congo-meat at once. – Right

The pastor ordered for Congo-meat at once. – Wrong

·        (Recently)                She did her hair recently. – Right

She did her hair of recent. – Wrong

·        (Ago)                         Michael Jackson came to Onitsha two years ago. – Right

Michael Jackson came to Onitsha last two years.- Wrong

·        (Very)                                    I am very hungry. –Right

I am too hungry. -  Wrong

·        (Last)                         Last night, D. J saved my live. -  Right

Yesterday night D. J saved my life. – Wrong

·        (Elder)                       This is my elder brother. – Right

This is my older brother. – Wrong

·        (Undisciplined)      The undisciplined disciplinarians were disgraced. – Right

                                    The indisciplined disciplinarians were disgraced. –Wrong

·        (Anything)               The child doesn’t know anything. – Right

The child doesn’t know nothing. – Wrong

·        (Grass root)             Grass root education is dependable. – Right

Grassroot education is dependable. – Wrong

·        (Able)                                    I am not able to do that. – Right

I can not be able to do that. – Wrong

 

 

THE END