Correct Errors Of Usage - 3

1. I am averse to gamble. (W)
I am averse to gambling. (R )

Note: Averse is followed by the preposition to. The only part of the verb that can follow averse is gerund.

2. Back of the house was a small garden. (W)

At the back of the house was a small garden. (R)

Note: Back of means behind. “Back of the house was a small garden” is an Americanism. It is not accepted as British English. The correct expression is - “at the back of or behind”.

3. Everything bar the clock was silent. (W)

Everything except the clock was silent. (R)

Note: Use except or but in the place of bar.

4. Much of the delay is due to inefficiency and bad organization on behalf of the railways. (W)

Much of the delay is due to inefficiency and bad organization on the part of the railways. (R)

Note: Being as is a solecism and a vulgarism. The idiomatic alternatives are:

i) Being strangers,

ii) As we were strangers.

5. He blamed it on to me. (W)

He blamed me for it. (R) (or)

He put blame on me. (R)

Note: “He blamed it on to me” is acceptable colloquially. But in writing and in more formal speech, say the correct sentences given above.

6. He is capable to do it. (W)

He is capable of doing it. (R )

Note: The correct expression is “capable of doing” or “incapable of doing”.

7. We shall do our best to find out the cause for the delay. (W)

We shall do our best to find out the cause of the delay. (R )

Note: For for substitute of. Cause is followed by for only when it means ground or justification.

e.g: There is no cause for alarm.

You have no cause for complaint.

8. The baby was left in charge of a neighbour. (W)

The baby was left in the charge of a neighbour. (R)

Note: It was the neighbour who was in charge of the baby; the baby was left in the charge of the neighbour. “In charge of” means “having care of , or authority over”. “In the charge of” means “subject to the care, control or authority of”.