Here we have discussed syntax/common errors in English which may be helpful for upcoming examinations.
Common mistakes in English
Errors in the use of adjectives
1. This is the best novel of the two. (Incorrect)
This is the better novel of the two. (correct)
2. Ravi was certainly the tallest of the two boys. (Incorrect)
Ravi was certainly taller of the two boys. (correct)
3. They all helped each other. (Incorrect)
They all helped one another. (correct)
4. The two girls quarrelled one another. (Incorrect)
The two girls quarrelled each other. (correct)
5. Shailya is more clever than me. (Incorrect)
Shailya is cleverer than I. (correct)
6. This is the most biggest building. (Incorrect)
This is the biggest building. (correct)
7. Adolf is elder than Peter. (Incorrect)
Adolf is older than Peter. (correct)
8. This is a best novel. (Incorrect)
This is the best novel. (correct)
Errors in the use of verbs
1. I am ill for two days. (Incorrect)
I have been ill for two days. (correct)
2. The ship was drowned. (Incorrect)
The ship was sank. (correct)
3. The weary traveller laid under the tree. (Incorrect)
The weary traveller lied under the tree. (correct)
4. When you will be back? (Incorrect)
When will you be back? (correct)
5. Why you told a lie? (Incorrect)
Why did you tell a lie? (correct)
6. Bring me a chair to sit. (Incorrect)
Bring me a chair to sit on. (correct)
7. Abstain to take alcohol. (Incorrect)
Abstain from taking alcohol. (correct)
8. Many a women was present in the hall. (Incorrect)
Many women were present in the hall. (correct)
9. Patient died before the doctor came. (Incorrect)
The patient had died before the doctor came. (correct)
Errors in the use of adverbs
1. I am so happy. (Incorrect)
I am very happy. (correct)
2. He is too weak. (Incorrect)
He is very weak. (correct)
3. I am much tired. (Incorrect)
I am very much tired. (correct)
4. Of course! she sings very well. (Incorrect)
She certainly sings very well. (correct)
5. I am very obliged to you for this act of kindness. (Incorrect)
I am much obliged to you for this act of kindness. (correct)
Errors in the use of articles
1. She spent all money she had. (Incorrect)
She spent all the money she had. (correct)
2. The God is omnipresent. (Incorrect)
God is omnipresent. (correct)
3. The man is mortal. (Incorrect)
Man is mortal. (correct)
4. The gold is a precious metal. (Incorrect)
Gold is a precious metal. (correct)
5. We should always help poor. (Incorrect)
We should always help the poor. (correct)
Errors in the use of nouns
1. These news are good. (Incorrect)
The news is good. (correct)
2. The sceneries of Jammu Kashmir are very charming. (Incorrect)
The scenery of Jammu Kashmir is very charming. (correct)
3. I like vegetable. (Incorrect)
I like vegetables. (correct)
4. He has sold all his furnitures. (Incorrect)
He has sold all his furniture. (correct)
5. The riches should help the poor. (Incorrect)
The rich should help the poor. (correct)
6. This building is made of stones. (Incorrect)
This building is made of stone. (correct)
7. The cattles are grazing in the field. (Incorrect)
The cattle are grazing in the field. (correct)
8. He came with his family members. (Incorrect)
He came with the members of his family. (correct)
9. He gave me five dollar. (Incorrect)
He gave me five dollars. (correct)
Errors in the use of prepositions
1. It has been raining from 2 o’clock. (Incorrect)
It has been raining since 2 o’clock. (correct)
2. Attend your teachers. (Incorrect)
Attend to your teachers. (correct)
3. She is married with clerk. (Incorrect)
She is married to a clerk. (correct)
Errors in the use of pronouns
1. One should do his duty. (Incorrect)
One should do one’s duty. (correct)
2. I have a book. Do you want? (Incorrect)
I have a book. Do you want it? (correct)
3. He is wiser than me. (Incorrect)
He is wiser than I. (correct)
4. I and Mary are good friends. (Incorrect)
Mary and I are good friends. (correct)
5. He thought it was her. (Incorrect)
He thought it was she. (correct)
6. Who is knocking at the door? It is me. (Incorrect)
Who is knocking at the door? It is I. (correct)
7. Rahul and myself went to the zoo. (Incorrect)
Rahul and I went to the zoo. (correct)
8. He is not here. Shall I call? (Incorrect)
He is not here. Shall I call him? (correct)
9. This pen is for me and her. (Incorrect)
This pen is for her and me. (correct)
10. I don’t know who I can trust. (Incorrect)
I don’t know whom I can trust. (correct)
Some other errors
1. He gave a speech. (Incorrect)
He made a speech. (correct)
2. At what time do you sleep? (Incorrect)
At what time do you go to bed? (correct)
3. Don’t make noise. (Incorrect)
Don’t make a noise. (correct)
4. He said that he is a doctor. (Incorrect)
He said that he was a doctor. (correct)
5. I took my lunch at eight. (Incorrect)
I had my lunch at eight. (correct)
6. Einstein invented Law of Gravity. (Incorrect)
Einstein discovered Law of Gravity. (correct)
7. My friend always keeps his word. (Incorrect)
My friend always keeps his words. (correct)
8. This is a worth seeing monument. (Incorrect)
This is a monument worth seeing. (correct)
9. I am respecting you. (Incorrect)
I respect you. (correct)
10. My son is loving to draw and paint. (Incorrect)
My son loves to draw and paint. (correct)
11. We are having two cars. (Incorrect)
We have two cars. (correct)
12. I am thinking you are new to this place. (Incorrect)
I think you are new to this place. (correct)
13. The cake is smelling good. (Incorrect)
The cake smells good. (correct)
I hope that you would have enjoyed English Grammar Syntax Common errors in English. If you have any query regarding this chapter, please feel free to get in touch with me through comment box or social media and I assure you to resolve all your queries related to the topic as soon as possible.
