UPESSC TGT English — The Complete Language Guide
31
Part VI — Application & Practice

Chapter 31

Common Errors

📘 50 MCQs⏱ ~29 min read🎯 Exam-focused

THEORY — Errors by Grammar Area

3.1 Articles (see Ch. 5)

WrongCorrectWhy
He is an university student.He is a university student."University" begins with a consonant /j/ sound, so use a.
She waited for one hour.She waited for an hour."Hour" begins with a silent h (vowel sound) → an.
The honesty is the best policy.Honesty is the best policy.Abstract nouns used in a general sense take no article.
He is the best player in a team.He is the best player in the team.A specific, known team needs the.
I go to the school by bus.I go to school by bus."School" for its primary purpose takes no article.
He is a M.A. in English.He is an M.A. in English."M" is sounded /em/, a vowel sound → an.
The man is mortal.Man is mortal."Man" meaning the human race takes no article.

Note: Use the before superlatives, ordinals, rivers, oceans, deserts, mountain ranges and unique objects (the sun, the earth).

3.2 Nouns — Number & Uncountables (see Ch. 6)

WrongCorrectWhy
She gave me many advices.She gave me much advice."Advice" is uncountable — no plural, no many.
I bought two new furnitures.I bought two new pieces of furniture."Furniture" is uncountable.
He has many luggages.He has much luggage."Luggage" is uncountable.
Where are my spectacle?Where are my spectacles?"Spectacles/scissors/trousers" are always plural.
The poet wrote many poetries.The poet wrote much poetry."Poetry" is uncountable; the countable word is "poem".
He gave me an information.He gave me a piece of information."Information" is uncountable.
The cattles are grazing.The cattle are grazing."Cattle" is plural in form; no -s, takes plural verb.

Note: Uncountables to memorise: advice, information, furniture, luggage, scenery, machinery, equipment, news, work, poetry, traffic, money, bread.

3.3 Pronouns — Case & Agreement (see Ch. 7)

WrongCorrectWhy
Between you and I, this is wrong.Between you and me, this is wrong.After a preposition use the objective case (me).
He is taller than me.He is taller than I (am).After "than" in formal English use the nominative when a verb is implied.
Let you and I go.Let you and me go."Let" takes the objective case.
Each of the boys did their best.Each of the boys did his best."Each/every" is singular → singular pronoun.
Everyone must do their duty.Everyone must do his duty.Indefinite pronouns are singular (formal rule).
I myself did it myself.I did it myself.Avoid the redundant double reflexive.
It is me who is responsible.It is I who am responsible.The verb agrees with "I", the antecedent of "who".

3.4 Adjectives — Degree & Comparison (see Ch. 8)

WrongCorrectWhy
This is the most unique design.This is a unique design."Unique" is absolute and cannot be compared.
He is more cleverer than his brother.He is cleverer than his brother.Double comparative is wrong.
She is the more intelligent of all.She is the most intelligent of all.Three or more → superlative.
This pen is superior than that.This pen is superior to that.Latin comparatives take to, not than.
India is larger than any country in Asia.India is larger than any other country in Asia.Add "other" to exclude the subject from the comparison.
He is the most tallest boy.He is the tallest boy.Double superlative is wrong.
Mumbai is one of the largest city.Mumbai is one of the largest cities."One of the + superlative + plural noun".

Note: Adjectives never compared: unique, perfect, ideal, complete, supreme, eternal, universal, circular.

3.5 Verbs — lie/lay, irregulars (see Ch. 9)

WrongCorrectWhy
I am going to lay down for a rest.I am going to lie down for a rest."Lie" (lie–lay–lain) is intransitive; "lay" (lay–laid–laid) needs an object.
The hen has laid eggs (object hidden errors).The hen has laid eggs.Correct — "lay" is transitive (an object: eggs).
He has went home.He has gone home.Past participle of "go" is "gone", not "went".
The vase was broke yesterday.The vase was broken yesterday.Passive needs the past participle "broken".
She has drank all the milk.She has drunk all the milk.Past participle of "drink" is "drunk".
I have ate my lunch.I have eaten my lunch.Past participle of "eat" is "eaten".
He laid on the bed all day.He lay on the bed all day.Past tense of intransitive "lie" is "lay".

3.6 Tenses & Sequence (see Ch. 10–12)

WrongCorrectWhy
I am knowing the answer.I know the answer.Stative verbs (know, believe, like) avoid the continuous form.
He said that he will come.He said that he would come.Past reporting verb → back-shift to "would".
When I reached, the train already left.When I reached, the train had already left.The earlier of two past actions takes the past perfect.
I have seen him yesterday.I saw him yesterday.A definite past time ("yesterday") needs the simple past.
He is living here since 2010.He has been living here since 2010."Since/for" with a continuing action → present perfect continuous.
If he comes, I will have told him.If he comes, I will tell him.Keep the sequence simple in a first conditional.
No sooner he had left than it rained.No sooner had he left than it rained."No sooner" inverts the subject and auxiliary.

Note: "Universal truths" stay in the present tense even after a past reporting verb: The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

3.7 Subject–Verb Agreement (see Ch. 13)

WrongCorrectWhy
The quality of the goods are poor.The quality of the goods is poor.The verb agrees with "quality", not "goods".
Neither of the boys were present.Neither of the boys was present."Neither/either" of + plural takes a singular verb.
The news are very good.The news is very good."News" is singular.
Each boy and each girl were rewarded.Each boy and each girl was rewarded."Each ... and each" takes a singular verb.
Ten kilometres are a long way.Ten kilometres is a long way.A measured quantity as a unit takes a singular verb.
One of the students have failed.One of the students has failed."One of" is singular → "has".
The committee are divided in their views.The committee is/are divided in their views.Collective noun stressing members may take a plural; as a unit, singular.

Note: With "either ... or / neither ... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject: Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

3.8 Modals (see Ch. 14)

WrongCorrectWhy
He need not to go.He need not go."Need not" is a modal — no "to" before the bare infinitive.
You must to obey the rules.You must obey the rules.Modals take the bare infinitive (no "to").
I should have to study harder.I should study harder.Do not mix "should" with "have to".
He can be able to swim.He can swim / He is able to swim."Can" already means "be able to"; do not double it.
You ought to obey your parents (object missing errors).You ought to obey your parents.Correct — "ought" is the only modal that takes "to".
I dare not to oppose him.I dare not oppose him."Dare not" takes the bare infinitive.
When I was a child I can swim well.When I was a child I could swim well.Past ability → "could".

3.9 Prepositions — Collocations (see Ch. 16)

WrongCorrectWhy
He is married with a doctor.He is married to a doctor."Married to" is the fixed collocation.
She is angry on me.She is angry with me."Angry with" a person; "angry at/about" a thing.
I am fond for music.I am fond of music."Fond of" is fixed.
He died from cholera.He died of cholera."Die of" a disease; "die from" an injury/cause.
Congratulations for your success.Congratulations on your success."Congratulate on" an occasion.
He is superior than others.He is superior to others."Superior/inferior/senior/junior/prior" take "to".
I have been waiting since two hours.I have been waiting for two hours."For" a length of time; "since" a point of time.

Note: "Discuss, marry, enter, request, resemble, comprise, attack, lack, reach, accompany" take no preposition: discuss the matter (not discuss about).

3.10 Conjunctions — Correlatives (see Ch. 17)

WrongCorrectWhy
No sooner did he arrive when it rained.No sooner did he arrive than it rained."No sooner ... than" is the correct pair.
He is not only honest but also is kind.He is not only honest but also kind.Keep correlatives parallel; do not repeat the verb.
Scarcely had he left than the bell rang.Scarcely had he left when the bell rang."Scarcely/hardly ... when".
Though he is poor but he is honest.Though he is poor, yet he is honest.Do not use "but" with "though"; pair with "yet" or nothing.
Both Ram as well as Shyam came.Both Ram and Shyam came."Both ... and"; never "both ... as well as".
Either he or his friends is to blame.Either he or his friends are to blame.The verb agrees with the nearer subject "friends".
Lest he should not fail.Lest he should fail."Lest" already carries a negative.

3.11 Voice (Active/Passive) (see Ch. 18)

WrongCorrectWhy
The work is doing by him.The work is being done by him.Continuous passive = is/are + being + past participle.
A letter has wrote by me.A letter has been written by me.Perfect passive = has/have been + past participle.
Let the door be open.Let the door be opened.Imperative passive needs the past participle "opened".
He was given a prize by the principal (errors).He was given a prize by the principal.Correct — the indirect object becomes the passive subject.
By whom this was done?By whom was this done?Maintain interrogative word order in the passive.
English is speaking all over the world.English is spoken all over the world.Simple-present passive = is/are + past participle.

3.12 Narration (Direct/Indirect) (see Ch. 19)

WrongCorrectWhy
He said that he will help me.He said that he would help me.Back-shift after a past reporting verb.
She asked me where do I live.She asked me where I lived.An indirect question uses statement word order, no "do".
He said let us go.He proposed that we should go."Let us" suggestion → "proposed/suggested that".
He told that he was busy.He said that he was busy."Told" needs an object; otherwise use "said".
She said that she will come tomorrow.She said that she would come the next day.Back-shift the verb and change "tomorrow" → "the next day".
He asked me that what was my name.He asked me what my name was.No "that" in a reported question.

3.13 Non-finite Verbs (Infinitive/Gerund/Participle) (see Ch. 20)

WrongCorrectWhy
I look forward to meet you.I look forward to meeting you."Look forward to" + gerund.
He is used to walk daily.He is used to walking daily."Be used to" (habit) + gerund.
I enjoy to read novels.I enjoy reading novels."Enjoy" is followed by the gerund.
Walking on the road, a snake bit him.Walking on the road, he was bitten by a snake.The participle must relate to the subject (avoid the dangling participle).
He wants that he should succeed.He wants to succeed."Want" takes the infinitive, not a "that" clause.
I cannot help to laugh.I cannot help laughing."Cannot help" + gerund.

3.14 Redundancy (Pleonasm)

WrongCorrectWhy
Return back the book.Return the book."Return" already means "give back".
Repeat it again.Repeat it."Repeat" means "do again".
Each and every student must attend.Every student must attend."Each and every" is redundant.
The two twins look alike.The twins look alike."Twins" are already two.
He is my cousin brother.He is my cousin."Cousin" needs no "brother/sister".
Discuss about the matter.Discuss the matter."Discuss" takes no preposition.

Note: Other common redundancies: revert back, reason behind ... is because, more better, free gift, new innovation, final conclusion.

3.15 Word Order

WrongCorrectWhy
I always have respected my elders.I have always respected my elders.The adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.
She speaks well English.She speaks English well.Manner adverb follows the object.
He gave to me a book.He gave me a book.Indirect object (no "to") precedes the direct object.
Never I have seen such a sight.Never have I seen such a sight.A negative opener triggers inversion.
Tell me where is he.Tell me where he is.An embedded question uses statement order.
Only not he but also she came.Not only he but also she came.Place "not only" before the first element.

3.16 Conditionals (see Ch. 21)

WrongCorrectWhy
If I will go, I will tell you.If I go, I will tell you.No "will" in the "if"-clause of a first conditional.
If I was rich, I would help you.If I were rich, I would help you.Second conditional uses "were" for all persons.
If he would have come, he would have met me.If he had come, he would have met me.Third conditional: "if + had + past participle".
If you will help me, I shall be grateful.If you help me, I shall be grateful.Present simple in the "if"-clause.
I wish I am a bird.I wish I were a bird."Wish" for an unreal present takes the past subjunctive.
Unless you do not work, you will fail.Unless you work, you will fail."Unless" already means "if ... not".

COMMON EXAM ERRORS — Top 25

#WrongCorrectExplanation
1One of my friend is a doctor.One of my friends is a doctor."One of" + plural noun + singular verb.
2He is junior than me.He is junior to me.Latin comparatives take "to".
3The scenery of Kashmir are beautiful.The scenery of Kashmir is beautiful."Scenery" is uncountable and singular.
4He prevented me to go.He prevented me from going."Prevent ... from + gerund".
5I am looking forward to meet you.I am looking forward to meeting you."Look forward to" + gerund.
6Each of the players have a kit.Each of the players has a kit."Each of" is singular.
7She is more wiser than him.She is wiser than he.No double comparative; nominative after "than" with implied verb.
8He said me to wait.He asked me to wait."Say" cannot take an object + infinitive; use "ask/tell".
9I have been knowing him for years.I have known him for years."Know" is stative — no continuous form.
10Neither of them have come.Neither of them has come."Neither of" takes a singular verb.
11He is one of the best player.He is one of the best players."One of the + superlative + plural noun".
12The teacher made the students to work.The teacher made the students work."Make" (active) takes the bare infinitive.
13I prefer tea than coffee.I prefer tea to coffee."Prefer ... to".
14He insisted to go with me.He insisted on going with me."Insist on + gerund".
15Hardly I had slept when the phone rang.Hardly had I slept when the phone rang."Hardly" at the start inverts the auxiliary.
16The rich is not always happy.The rich are not always happy."The + adjective" denotes a plural class.
17He has a great deal of books.He has a great many books."A great deal of" + uncountable; "a great many" + countable.
18I requested him for help (over-used "for").I requested him to help me."Request someone to do"; "request" takes no "for".
19She accused me for stealing.She accused me of stealing."Accuse ... of".
20He is absent since Monday.He has been absent since Monday."Since" with a continuing state needs the present perfect.
21Walking down the street, the building looked grand.Walking down the street, I found the building grand.Correct the dangling participle by giving it a logical subject.
22Many a students were absent.Many a student was absent."Many a" + singular noun + singular verb.
23This is the most unique opportunity.This is a unique opportunity."Unique" cannot be compared.
24He did not went to school.He did not go to school.After "did" use the bare infinitive.
25The number of accidents are rising.The number of accidents is rising."The number of" takes a singular verb.

EXAM TRICKS

FREQUENTLY CONFUSED PAIRS

PairMeaning / UseExample
lie / laylie = recline (no object); lay = put down (needs object)I lie down. / I lay the book down.
affect / effectaffect = verb (influence); effect = noun (result)Rain affects crops; the effect was severe.
fewer / lessfewer = countable; less = uncountablefewer chairs; less water
among / betweenbetween = two; among = more than twobetween us two; among the crowd
each other / one anothereach other = two; one another = more than twoThe two friends helped each other.
beside / besidesbeside = next to; besides = in addition toSit beside me; besides this, I have more.
principal / principleprincipal = head/chief; principle = rulethe school principal; a moral principle
stationary / stationerystationary = not moving; stationery = writing materiala stationary car; buy stationery
complement / complimentcomplement = complete; compliment = praiseThe scarf complements the dress; she paid me a compliment.
elder / olderelder = family (attributive); older = general comparisonmy elder brother; he is older than I

EXCEPTIONS — Important, Rare & Advanced

50 MCQs

Easy (1–15)

1. He is ___ honest man.

(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "Honest" begins with a silent h (vowel sound).

2. Spot the error: She gave me (a)/ many advices (b)/ on this matter (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (b) many advices
Explanation: "Advice" is uncountable → "much advice".

3. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Between you and I, it is wrong. (b) Between you and me, it is wrong. (c) Between I and you, it is wrong. (d) Between me and I, it is wrong.
Answer: (b) Between you and me, it is wrong.
Explanation: The objective case follows a preposition.

4. This is the ___ design I have seen.

(a) most unique (b) more unique (c) very unique (d) most beautiful
Answer: (d) most beautiful
Explanation: "Unique" cannot be compared, so only "beautiful" is valid here.

5. I am going to ___ down for a while.

(a) lay (b) lie (c) laid (d) lain
Answer: (b) lie
Explanation: "Lie" (recline) needs no object.

6. Spot the error: He has (a)/ went (b)/ to the market (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (b) went
Explanation: Past participle of "go" is "gone".

7. The news ___ very encouraging.

(a) are (b) were (c) is (d) have been
Answer: (c) is
Explanation: "News" is singular.

8. He need not ___ there.

(a) to go (b) going (c) go (d) gone
Answer: (c) go
Explanation: "Need not" takes the bare infinitive.

9. She is married ___ a lawyer.

(a) with (b) to (c) for (d) by
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: "Married to" is the fixed collocation.

10. No sooner did he sit ___ the bell rang.

(a) when (b) then (c) than (d) that
Answer: (c) than
Explanation: "No sooner ... than".

11. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) I look forward to meet you. (b) I look forward to meeting you. (c) I look forward meet you. (d) I look forward met you.
Answer: (b) I look forward to meeting you.
Explanation: "Look forward to" + gerund.

12. If I ___ rich, I would help the poor.

(a) am (b) was (c) were (d) will be
Answer: (c) were
Explanation: Second conditional uses "were".

13. Spot the error: One of (a)/ my friend (b)/ is a doctor (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (b) my friend
Explanation: "One of" needs a plural noun → "friends".

14. He died ___ malaria.

(a) from (b) of (c) by (d) with
Answer: (b) of
Explanation: "Die of" a disease.

15. Each boy and each girl ___ rewarded.

(a) were (b) was (c) have been (d) are
Answer: (b) was
Explanation: "Each ... and each" takes a singular verb.

Moderate (16–35)

16. Spot the error: The quality (a)/ of the goods (b)/ are poor (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (c) are poor
Explanation: The verb agrees with "quality" → "is poor".

17. He is senior ___ me by two years.

(a) than (b) to (c) from (d) of
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: "Senior" takes "to".

18. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) He prevented me to go. (b) He prevented me from going. (c) He prevented me going. (d) He prevented me of going.
Answer: (b) He prevented me from going.
Explanation: "Prevent ... from + gerund".

19. India is larger than ___ country in Asia.

(a) any (b) any other (c) some (d) all
Answer: (b) any other
Explanation: "Any other" excludes India from the comparison.

20. He said that the earth ___ round the sun.

(a) moved (b) moves (c) had moved (d) was moving
Answer: (b) moves
Explanation: Universal truths stay in the present tense.

21. Spot the error: Neither of (a)/ the two boys (b)/ were present (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (c) were present
Explanation: "Neither of" takes a singular verb → "was".

22. He is used to ___ early.

(a) rise (b) rising (c) rose (d) risen
Answer: (b) rising
Explanation: "Be used to" (habit) + gerund.

23. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) She asked me where do I live. (b) She asked me where I live. (c) She asked me where I lived. (d) She asked me where did I live.
Answer: (c) She asked me where I lived.
Explanation: Reported question: statement order plus back-shift.

24. I prefer coffee ___ tea.

(a) than (b) to (c) over (d) from
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: "Prefer ... to".

25. Spot the error: Scarcely had I (a)/ left the house (b)/ than it began to rain (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (c) than it began to rain
Explanation: "Scarcely ... when".

26. The committee ___ divided in their opinions.

(a) is (b) was (c) are (d) has
Answer: (c) are
Explanation: Members acting separately → plural verb.

27. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) He insisted to come. (b) He insisted on coming. (c) He insisted in coming. (d) He insisted for coming.
Answer: (b) He insisted on coming.
Explanation: "Insist on + gerund".

28. Hardly ___ when the lights went out.

(a) we had entered (b) had we entered (c) we entered (d) did we entered
Answer: (b) had we entered
Explanation: "Hardly" at the start triggers inversion.

29. Spot the error: He is one (a)/ of the best (b)/ player in the team (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (c) player in the team
Explanation: "One of the best + plural noun" → "players".

30. She accused him ___ theft.

(a) for (b) of (c) with (d) on
Answer: (b) of
Explanation: "Accuse ... of".

31. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) The teacher made us to work. (b) The teacher made us work. (c) The teacher made us working. (d) The teacher made us worked.
Answer: (b) The teacher made us work.
Explanation: "Make" (active) takes the bare infinitive.

32. ___ a student was absent today.

(a) Many of (b) Much a (c) Many a (d) Many
Answer: (c) Many a
Explanation: "Many a" + singular noun + singular verb.

33. Spot the error: He has been absent (a)/ from the office (b)/ since three days (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (c) since three days
Explanation: "For" a length of time, not "since".

34. The number of students ___ increasing every year.

(a) are (b) were (c) is (d) have been
Answer: (c) is
Explanation: "The number of" takes a singular verb.

35. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Though he is poor but he is honest. (b) Though he is poor, yet he is honest. (c) Though he is poor and honest. (d) Though he is poor so he is honest.
Answer: (b) Though he is poor, yet he is honest.
Explanation: "Though" pairs with "yet" or nothing, never "but".

Difficult (36–50)

36. Spot the error: It is I (a)/ who is (b)/ responsible for the loss (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (b) who is
Explanation: "Who" refers to "I" → "who am".

37. More than one candidate ___ been selected.

(a) have (b) has (c) were (d) are
Answer: (b) has
Explanation: "More than one" takes a singular verb.

38. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) If he would have come, he would have met me. (b) If he had come, he would have met me. (c) If he came, he would have met me. (d) If he comes, he would meet me.
Answer: (b) If he had come, he would have met me.
Explanation: Third conditional: "if + had + past participle".

39. The teacher suggested that the student ___ harder.

(a) works (b) worked (c) work (d) will work
Answer: (c) work
Explanation: The subjunctive after "suggest that" uses the base form.

40. Spot the error: Walking along the road (a)/ a snake (b)/ bit him (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (a) Walking along the road
Explanation: Dangling participle — the subject should be the person, not the snake.

41. A great ___ of books were donated.

(a) deal (b) many (c) much (d) amount
Answer: (b) many
Explanation: "A great many" + countable plural noun.

42. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) He had better to go now. (b) He had better go now. (c) He had better going now. (d) He had better gone now.
Answer: (b) He had better go now.
Explanation: "Had better" takes the bare infinitive.

43. Spot the error: Neither the manager (a)/ nor his assistants (b)/ was available (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (c) was available
Explanation: With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the nearer plural "assistants" → "were".

44. The higher you go, ___ it becomes.

(a) cold (b) the colder (c) colder (d) more cold
Answer: (b) the colder
Explanation: Comparatives of proportion use "the ... the".

45. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) He said me to wait outside. (b) He told me to wait outside. (c) He said to wait me outside. (d) He told to me to wait outside.
Answer: (b) He told me to wait outside.
Explanation: "Tell" takes an object + infinitive; "say" does not.

46. Spot the error: He is taller (a)/ than any (b)/ boy in the class (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (b) than any
Explanation: Add "other" → "than any other boy".

47. I wish I ___ taller.

(a) am (b) was (c) were (d) will be
Answer: (c) were
Explanation: "Wish" for an unreal present takes the past subjunctive "were".

48. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Unless you do not hurry, you will miss it. (b) Unless you hurry, you will miss it. (c) Unless you will hurry, you will miss it. (d) Unless you hurried, you will miss it.
Answer: (b) Unless you hurry, you will miss it.
Explanation: "Unless" already means "if ... not".

49. Spot the error: Both Ram (a)/ as well as Shyam (b)/ have passed the test (c)/ No error (d).

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer: (b) as well as Shyam
Explanation: "Both" pairs with "and", never "as well as".

50. Scarcely had the train left the platform ___ it stopped.

(a) than (b) then (c) when (d) that
Answer: (c) when
Explanation: "Scarcely ... when".