Definitions and Examples of Grammar in English - English Grammar for Teachers - General English Question and Answer - English Interview Quiz - General English for TNPSC Exams
- hour, honour, honest, heir historical (adjective) are considered silent, so the vowel following it takes ‘an’ for the article. - hence an hour, an heir, an honour etc.
e.g. 2
An European visited in India.
ans: A European
- when ‘u’ or ‘eu’ takes a ‘u’ or ‘you’ pronunciation (‘y’ is a consonant) so the article ‘a’ should be used. - hence a European, a university, a union, a unit, etc.
e.g. 3
Game came to an end soon.
ans: The game
- we are talking about a particular game.
e.g. 4
Rich should help poor.
ans: The rich ... the poor
- rich / poor represent the people representations use ‘the’
Errors in using Prepositions:
e.g. 1
Divide this apple amoung Robert and David.
ans: between
- amoung (to be used for more than two)
e.g. 2
Divide this apple between the girls.
ans: amoung
- between (to be used for only two)
e.g. 3
I go to school on bus / on bike
ans: by (for vehicles)
- use ‘on foot’ to mean ‘we walk’ to school.
e.g. 3
She aims to do well in the exams.
ans: use aim ‘at’
- She aims at doing well in the exams.
e.g. 4
The patient is now free of danger.
ans: free from
- use free ‘from’ danger/risk/disease.
e.g. 5
She called at her friend.
ans: called on
- use called ‘at’ a place ... his friend’s house.
- use called ‘on’ a person -> means to visit.
Agreement of the subject and the verb:
e.g. 1
Rosy and Sarah is friends.
ans: are friends
- use plural verbs for ‘and’.
e.g. 2
She or he have done well.
ans: has done
- when ‘or’ joins two subjects, the verb agrees with the second subject.
She or he is...
David or his friends are...
My friends or I am...
e.g. 3
The chief ministeras well as his followers are at the meeting.
ans: - is
The boyswith their teacher are out in the field.
ans: - are
The moonalong with the stars shine at night.
ans: - shines
- when using ‘with / along with / together with / as well as’ the verb should agree with the first subject.
e.g. 4
Either my neighbour or her children is coming for dinner.
ans: are
Neither they nor I were mistaken.
ans: was
- when using either-or / neither-nor the verb agrees with the second subject.
e.g. 5
Each of them are England citizens.
ans: is
Everyone of the barrels are full.
ans: is
Not one of the boys are doing well.
ans: is
One of the boys are missing.
ans: is
- sentences using ‘each of / everyone of / one of / not one of’ use the singular form of the verb.