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Error Analysis & Correction

Error Analysis & Correction

Reference

Rule Example
Tensenarrative consistency · past perfect · backshift"had + PP" for earlier past
Agreementcollective · proportional · each/every (singular)most of the work is
Confusablesaffect/effect · imply/infer · fewer/less · lie/layfewer cars, less traffic
Structureinversion · dangling participle · no "would" in ifnever have I / had I known

Common mistakes

  1. I have been knowing her since 2010. → I have known her since 2010.
    stative verb → PP simple
  2. If I would have known, I would have helped. → If I had known, I would have helped.
    never "would" in if-clause
  3. She suggested me to leave. → She suggested that I leave / suggested leaving.
    suggest never + to-infinitive
  4. In my opinion, I think this issue is very important. → This issue is of considerable importance.
    redundancy + register

Error Analysis & Correction — Exercises

Find the correct sentence

Circle the correct answer.

  1. Which sentence is correct? (I have known her since 2010. / I have been knowing her since 2010. / I know her since 2010.)
  2. Which sentence is correct? (If I had known, I would have helped. / If I would have known, I would have helped. / If I knew, I would have helped.)
  3. Which sentence is correct? (She suggested leaving early. / She suggested me to leave early. / She suggested to leave early.)
  4. Which sentence is correct? (Never have I seen such a view. / Never I have seen such a view. / Never I saw such a view.)
  5. Which sentence is correct? (Each student has a book. / Each student have a book. / Each students has a book.)
  6. Which sentence is correct? (Most of the work is done. / Most of the work are done. / Most of work is done.)
  7. Which sentence is correct? (The weather affected our plans. / The weather effected our plans. / The weather effect our plans.)
  8. Which sentence is correct? (There were fewer cars than usual. / There were less cars than usual. / There were lesser cars.)

Correct the error

Write the corrected word or words.

  1. She walked in and sits down. → She walked in and   down.
  2. I have seen him yesterday. → I   him yesterday.
  3. She said she will come. → She said she   come.
  4. The book that I read it was great. → The book that I   was great.
  5. He could of helped. → He could   helped.
  6. The team comprises of eleven players. → The team   eleven players.

Error Analysis & Correction — Answer Key

Find the correct sentence

  1. I have known her since 2010. — Stative verb + since → have known.
  2. If I had known, I would have helped. — Never would in the if-clause → had known.
  3. She suggested leaving early. — suggest + -ing (never + to).
  4. Never have I seen such a view. — Fronted never → inversion.
  5. Each student has a book. — each + singular → has.
  6. Most of the work is done. — Agreement with work (uncountable) → is.
  7. The weather affected our plans. — affect = verb → affected.
  8. There were fewer cars than usual. — Countable → fewer.

Correct the error

  1. sat
  2. saw
  3. would
  4. read
  5. have
  6. comprises