Pronouns : Common Errors - 4

1. (W) He bought a radio for Rs.250 and sold the same at a handsome profit.

(R) He bought a radio for Rs.250 and sold it at a handsome profit.

Note:- There is a common tendency to use this superfluous expression -- "the

same", where the pronoun "it" would be more suitable.

Avoid writing "I enclose a cheque for Rs.175, please acknowledge the receipt of the same.


2. (W) The visitors enjoyed, during their brief stay in Hyderabad.

(R) The visitors enjoyed themselves during their brief stay in Hyderabad.

Note:- "Enjoy" is a transitive verb, it must therefore be accompanied by an object,

which may be a noun or a reflexive pronoun.

3. (W) I shall avail of this opportunity to meet you there.

(R) I shall avail myself of this opportunity to meet you there.

Note:- The verb "avail" must here be followed by a reflexive pronoun.

4. (W) May I now take your leave?

(R) May I now take leave of you?

(W) Can you see me at mine tomorrow afternoon?

(R) Can you see me at my house tomorrow afternoon?

Note:- We can use "mine", "yours", etc only when the word "house" has already

appeared in this context.

For instance, "If you can't come to my house, I can meet you at yours".

5. (W) Whom do you think will be dismissed first?

(R) Who do you think will be dismissed first?

Note:- If you ignore the parenthesis "do you think" it should be easier to know say

"whom" is wrong. "Who. . . . . . will be dismissed first", and "Whom?"