Correct Errors Of Usage - 4

1. The delegation was comprised of the following persons. (W)

The delegation comprised the following persons. (R) (or)

The delegation was composed of the following persons. (R )

Note: - is/ was/ will be comprised of is always wrong.

2. An illiterate person is one who can neither read or write. (W)

An illiterate person is one who can neither read nor write. (R)

Note:- “Neither” must be followed by nor, not by or. Correlatives are pairs of

conjunctions of conjunctive expressions which always go together, like either . . or,

both . . and, not only . . but also.

3. We shall have to hurry, else we shall miss the train. (W)

We shall have to hurry, or else we shall miss the train. (R)

Note:- Else is an adverb, not a coordination conjunction. In sentences of this type

“or else” or simply “or” must be used.

4. We shall be pleased to furnish you any information you may require. (W)

We shall be pleased to supply you with any information you may require. (R)

Note:- This is unidiomatic. “To furnish” does not take an indirect object.

We ‘furnish a person’ ‘with’ ‘something’. But in any case ‘furnish’ is the wrong verb here.

Use “supply you with” or “send you” or “give you”.

5. The children each has a special task allotted to them. (W)

The children each have a special task allotted to them. (R )

Note:- (i) When used as an adjective, each is singular; the noun it qualifies must

therefore be referred to by a singular pronoun or possessive adjective, and when it is

subject it takes a singular verb:

“Each person has a special seat allocated to him, hasn’t he? Correct.

(ii)When it is a pronoun, it is always singular if it has no antecedent:

“Each has his own ideas on the subject”. Correct.

But if it refers back to an antecedent, it may be either singular or plural, according to

circumstances, viz:


a) When the antecedent is plural, each is also plural. For example, the

sentence given sbove, “The children each . . to them”.


b) When the antecedent consists of two or more singular nouns which

each individualises, the verb is usually plural:

“My wife and I each subscribe a rupee a month.” Correct.

c) When the antecedent consists of two plural nouns; each of which is

referred to separately and individually, then each is plural:

“The French and the Germans each claim the territory”. Correct.

i) When each is used in a partitive sense (each of us/ you/ them/ the

passengers, etc.) special care must be taken:

Each of the men has been given his instructions. Correct.

Each of the successful candidates was presented with a certificate. Correct.

We each have our problems, haven’t we? Correct.

6. Except for your help we should have been in a difficult position. (W)

But for your help we should have been in a difficult position (R)

Note:- Here the word required is either “but for” or “without”.