Correct Errors Of Usage - 6

1.I cannot afford to pay that much for it. (W)

I cannot afford to pay so much for it. (R)

Note:- Use “so much” or “so much as that”.

2. A number of people was left behind. (W)

A number of people were left behind. (R)

Note:- “A number of “ means many. It is plural in sense and takes a plural verb. The same applies to “a large number of”, “a small number of”. “The number of” is a mathematical or numerical figure. It is singular.

e. g:- “The number of people who own cars is increasing every year.” Correct.

3. He borrowed a shilling off me. (W)

He borrowed a shilling from me. (R)

Note:- Of in such sentences may be a mistake for the older “borrow something of someone”, now archaic.

4. One should always make sure of his facts. (W)

One should always make sure of one’s facts. (R)

Note:- One is a generalising personal pronoun. If the reference is to the same person, one must be followed up by “one, one’s, oneself”, not by “he, him, himself”, since one is general, where he is specific.

5. The River Medway has overflown its banks near Ton bridge. (W)

The River Medway has overflowed its banks near Ton bridge. (R)

Note:- Here wrong verb is used – Overfly. Overflow – overflowed – overflowed

(i) Birds fly. (ii) Water flows.

6. Over fifty children will partake in the operation. (W)

Over fifty children will take part in the operation. (R)

Note:- Partake of a meal; take part in a dramatic performance, a concert etc.

7. The letter was written partially in French and partially in English. (W)

The letter was written partly in French and partly in English. (R)

Note:- Use “partly” in the place of “partially”. Partially is an adverb of degree, and is opposed to fully:

“The meat was only partially cooked”. Correct.

(partly = as regards one part)

8 (i) I prefer coffee than tea. (W)

I prefer coffee to tea. (R)

(ii) She preferred sewing than knitting. (W)

She preferred sewing to knitting. (R)

(iii) We prefer going by car than travelling by train. (W)

We prefer going by car to travelling by train. (R)

Note:- Prefer is normally followed by to, not than.

(iv) Which do you prefer most? (W)

Which do you prefer? (R)

Note:- Literally, prefer means “place before the others”. It is therefore an absolute term and cannot be modified by more or most. Avoid most here.