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Important Points in English Language exams - 10
POINT NO.73: You, he/she, I: When pronouns having different persons are used, the second person (you) should come first, then the third person (he or she) and last of all the first person (I).
You, he and I should try to visit Sri Lanka- (not I, you and he)
It is between you and me. (not me and you)
POINT NO.74: Who and whom: To determine correct usage of who or whom cover the beginning of the sentence, including who or whom and read what is left, inserting he or him, like sounds right use who; if him sounds right use whom.
It was he whom we chose to be our captain.
(We chose him, to be captain; so use whom)
It was he who we thought would win the prize.
(We thought he would win the prize; so use who)
POINT NO. 75: Prepositions are not required after such words as: attack, accompany, discuss, emphasize, fear, join1, request, resist, pervade, precedes violate, reach, shirk, resemble, recommend, etc.
They attacked the enemy. (not on the enemy)
She resembles her mother. (not with or to her mother)
I have ordered the book. (not for the book)
One should not fear death. (not from death)
You can request him. (not request to)
POINT NO.76: Do not use that with words like how, whether, why, what, where, when, whom, whose, which, etc.
Nothing can be said that when he is expected to arrive. (incorrect)
Nothing can be said when he is expected to arrive. (correct)
He could not explain that why he was late. (incorrect)
He could not explain why he was late. (correct)
H is difficult to say that whether he will succeed. (incorrect)
It is difficult to say whether he will succeed. (correct)
In the above sentences that is not required. However, as to can be used. For example:
He could not explain as to why he was late.
POINT NO.77: Due to/caused by: Due to and caused by introduce adjective phrases and should modii5 nouns. These words must be properly related to some noun or pronoun and should not be used to begin a sentence.
Her success is due to her hard work. (modifies success)
His failure was caused by his laziness. (modifies failure)
These words should not be used to begin a sentence. For example:
Due to workers� strike. the factory remained closed. (incorrect)
Because of the workers strike, the factory remained closed. (correct)
POINT NO.78: Because of/on account of/co that/in order that
(a) Because of and on account of introduce adverbial phrases and should modify verbs.
He resigned because of ill-health. (modifies resigned)
She resigned on account of ill-health. (modifies resigned)
(b) To express a cause or reason use because of and to express purpose use in order that or so that.
Men work so that they may earn living. (not because)
He missed his class because he overslept. (not In oi�der that/so that)
(c). Do not use because and reason of together.
The reason why he missed his class was because he overslept. (incorrect)
The reason why he missed his class was that he overslept, (correct)
POINT NO.79: Express parallel ideas in parallel form.
(a) Adjectives should be paralleled by adjectives, nouns by nouns, subordinate clauses by subordinate clauses, etc.
This generator is inexpensive, noiseless and it is easily operated. (incorrect)
This generator is inexpensive, noiseless and easily operated. (correct)
This course is challenging and an inspiration. (incorrect)
This course is challenging and inspiring. (correct)
{b) Correlative conjunctions (either ... or, neither ... nor, not only .,. but also etc.) should be followed by
elements in parallel form.
She is not only proficient in desk work but also in marketing. (incorrect)
She is proficient nor only in desk work but also in marketing. (correct)
I have written both to their branch office and Head Office. (incorrect)
I have written to both their branch office and Head Office. (correct)
I would neither study at home nor would he go to school. (incorrect)
He would neither study at home nor go to school. (correct)
Avoid Redundancies
POINT NO. 80: Redundancy refers to the use of more words than necessary to make a statement. Redundancy is moderate formality and is restricted almost completely to indicating an excess caused by tautology: redundant phrases like �essential requisite� or �fundamental basis�. It may mean use of unnecessary adjectives or words that needlessly make the sentence a sort of re-statement by using unwanted words. These type of errors are often seen in written English communication and are not desirable in grammatically correct sentences.
Examples
1.The Prime Minister�s explanation represented a consensus of opinion.
In this sentence the words �of opinion� is not required and is an example of redundancy or
wordiness.
2. Shanti said that she stayed for a short period of time in the hospital.
In this sentence �of time is not needed because the �period� signifies it.
3. Shri DK Oswal, our Chairman-cum-Managing Director has returned back from his European
tour only this morning. In this sentence, one word is sufficient, either returned or back.
4. To revise the Point No. . s of grammar refer back to Chapter ii of this book.
In this sentence, the usage �refer� is sufficient and there is no need to add �back� in this
sentence.
5. He has been warned not to repeat this mistake again.
In this sentence the word �again� is redundant and should be avoided.
