RULES AND EXAMPLES

1. Some nouns always take a singular verb.

Scenery, advice, information, machinery, stationery, furniture, abuse,
fuel, rice, gram, issue, bedding, repair, news, mischief, poetry, business,
economics, physics, mathematics, classic, ethics, athletics, innings-
gallows.
(A) The sceneries of Kashmir are enchanting. (Incorrect)
(B) The scenery of Kashmir is enchanting. (Correct)
(A) He has given advices. (Incorrect)
(B) He has given advice. (Correct)
(A) The Pakistani team defeated the English by an inning. (Incorrect)
(B) The Pakistani team defeated the English by an innings. (Correct)
(A) Mathematics are a difficult subject. (Incorrect)
(B) Mathematics is a difficult subject. (Correct)
Note if you have to indicate that the number of news, advice,
information or furniture is more than one, the examples listed below can
be followed:
(A) I have a lot of news to tell you. (Correct)
(B) He has sold many pieces of his furniture. (Correct)
2. Some nouns are singular in form, but they are used as plural nouns
and always take a plural verb.
Cattle, gentry, vermin, peasantry, artillery, people, clergy, company,
police.
(A) The cattle is grazing in the ground. (Incorrect)
(B) The cattle are grazing in the ground. (Correct)
(A) The clergy is in the church. (Incorrect)
(B) The clergy are in the church. (Correct)
3. Some nouns are always used in a plural form and always take a plural
verb.
Trousers, scissors, spectacles, stockings, shorts, measles, goods, alms,
premises, thanks, tidings, annals, chattels, etc.
(A) Where is my trousers? Incorrect
(B) Where are my trousers? Correct
(A) Spectacles is now a costly item. Incorrect
(B) Spectacles are now a costly item. Correct
4. There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money, weight or
number. When they are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged
in form.
Foot, meter, pair, score, dozen, head, year, hundred, thousand, million.
(A) It is a three – years degree course. Incorrect
(B) It is a three – year degree course. Correct
(A) I have ten dozens of shoes. Incorrect
(B) I have ten dozen of shoes. Correct
5. Collective nouns such as jury, public, team, committee, government,
audience, orchestra, company, etc. are used both as singular and plural;
(A) The jury was united in its verdict. Correct
(B) The jury were divided in this case. Correct
6. Some nouns have one meaning in the singular and another in the
plural:
Advice = counsel advices = information
Air = atmosphere airs = proud
Authority = command, authorities = persons in power
Good = wise goods = property
Iron = metal irons = fetters, chains
Force = strength forces = army
Content = satisfaction, contents = things contained
Physic = medicine physics = physical sciences,
Respect = regards respects = compliments
Work = job works = compositions, factories,.
Earning = income earnings = sowings
Quarter = one – fourth quarters = houses
Examples
(A) Air is necessary for human life.
(B) It is bad to put on airs.
(A) I have eaten one quarter of the cake.
(B) I live in the government quarters.
7. People are often confused or they commit mistake in the use of certain
nouns.
(A) Lecturership is wrong: lectureship is correct.
(a) There are twenty candidates for lecturership. Incorrect
(b) There are twenty candidates for lectureship. Correct
(B) Freeship is wrong; free – studentship is correct.
(a) Zaheer has applied for freeship. Incorrect
(b) Zaheer has applied for free – studentship. Correct
(C) Boarding is wrong; boarding house is correct.
(a) Ali lives in a boarding. Incorrect
(b) Ali lives in a boarding house. Correct

(D) Cousin – brother or sister is wrong; only cousin is correct.

(a) Mariam is my cousin sister. Incorrect
(b) Mariam is my cousin. Correct
(E) Room in a compartment or a bench means unoccupied space.
(a) There is no room on this bench. Correct
(F) Our, yours, hers, theirs are correct.
(a) This house is our’s. Incorrect
(b) This house is ours. Correct
Note: The same principle applies to ‘yours ‘, ‘hers’ and ‘theirs’.
(I) Wages means punishments when used in singular.
(a) The wages of sin is death.
It also means charges for the labor when used in plural sense.
(b) The wages of daily workers have been raised.
8. Also remember the subtle difference in the usage of these pairs of
nouns
(A) The noun ‘habit’ applies only to an individual whereas ‘custom’
applies to a society or country.
(a) Poor children often become a victim of bad habits.
(b) Tribes in Northern Areas have many interesting customs.
(B) ‘Cause’ produces a result, while ‘reason’ explains or justifies a
cause.
(a) Scientists try to find out the cause of a phenomenon.
(b) You have a good reason to be pleased with your students.
(C) ‘Man’ is used in ordinary sense while ‘gentleman’ is a man of
character.
(a) Man is mortal.
(b) He is a gentleman at large.
(D) ‘Men’ - plural of man: ‘people’ is used for persons.
(a) There are five men in the room.
(b) The people of KPK are simple.
(E) ‘Shade’ – a place sheltered from the sun; ‘shadow’ – the shade of a
distinct form or object.
(a) The villagers sat under the shade of trees.
(b) He is even afraid of his own shadow.
(F) ‘Cost’ – amount paid by the shopkeeper; ‘price’ – amount paid by
the customer.
(a) The cost of production of automobile items has gone up.
(b) Sometimes the buyers have to pay higher price for necessary items.
(G) ‘House’ – a building to live in: ‘Home’ – one’s native place.
(a) Quarters area houses are allotted to us for a definite period.
(b) My home town is Muzaffarpur.
(a) The shopkeepers welcome customer with smiles.
(b) The lawyer discusses the cases of his clients.
9. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and
gender.
For example:
Every man must bring his luggage.
All students must do their homework.
Each of the girls must carry her own bag.
Each student must bring his books.
10. While using ‘everybody’ ‘everyone’, ‘anybody’, and ‘each’ the
pronoun of the masculine or the feminine gender is used according to the
content.
I shall be happy to help each of the boys in his practice.
Each of the six boys in the class has finished their tasks. Incorrect
Each of the six boys in the class has finished his task. Correct
11. The pronoun ‘one’ must be followed by ‘one’s’.
One must finish his task in time. Incorrect
One must finish one’s task in time. Correct
12. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, drive, exert, avail, pride, absent, etc.,
when used as transitive verbs, always take a reflexive pronoun after
them. When ‘self’ is added to ‘my’, ‘your’, ‘him’, ‘her’, and ‘it’, and
‘selves’ to our and them – they are known as reflexive pronouns.
He absented from the class. (Incorrect)
He absented himself from the class. (Correct)
13. ‘Who’ denotes the subject and ‘whom’ is used for the object?
Whom do you think won the award? Incorrect
Who do you think won the award? Correct
Who are you talking to? Incorrect
Whom are your talking to? Correct
14. When two or more singular nouns are joined together by ‘either or’;
‘neither nor’, and ‘or’, the pronoun is singular.
Either Amina or Muniba will give their book. Incorrect
Either Amina or Muniba will give her book. Correct
15. When a singular and a plural noun are joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, the
pronoun must be plural.
Either the engineer or his mechanics failed in his duty. Incorrect
Either the engineer or his mechanics failed in their duty. Correct
16. ‘Whose’ is used for living persons and ‘which’ for lifeless objects.
Whose photograph is lying there? Correct
What book do you read? Incorrect
Which book do you read? Correct
17. ‘Each other’ is used when there are two subjects or objects and ‘one
another’ when there are more than two.
Romeo and Juliet loved each other
Those five friends, who are sitting there, love one another.
All the students of the class are friendly; they love each other. Incorrect
All the students of the class are friendly; they love one another. Correct
18. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it must be in the
singular number and in the neuter gender if the collective noun is viewed
as a whole.
The jury gave ‘its’ verdict.
Here the ‘jury’ gives the idea of one whole.
If the collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals
comprising the whole, the pronoun standing for it must be plural.
The jury were divided in their opinions.
Here, the ‘jury’ gives the idea of several individuals.
19. If pronouns of different persons are to be used together in a sentence,
the serial order of persons should be as follows; second person + third +
first person in good normal sentences. But if fault is to be confessed, the
order will be; first person + second person + third person.
You, he and I have finished the work. Normal sentences
I, you and he are to blame. Incorrect
Qasim, I and you have finished our studies. Incorrect
You, Qasim and I have finished our studies. Correct
20. ‘Some’ is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or
degree. ‘Any’ is used in negative or interrogative sentences.
I shall buy some apples.
I shall not buy any apples.

Have you bought any apples?

But ‘some’ may be correctly used in interrogative sentences which are,
in fact, requests.
Will you please give me some milk?
I shall read any book. Incorrect
I shall read some book. Correct
Have you bought some apples? Incorrect
Have you bought any apples? Correct
21. The use of ‘few’, ‘a few’’ and ‘the few’ should be used with care.
They denote ‘number’.
‘Few’ means ‘not many’. It is the opposite of many. A ‘few’ is positive
and means ‘some at least’. It is the opposite of none. ‘The few’ means
‘whatever there is’.
A few men are free from fault. Incorrect
Few men are free from fault. Correct
Here the sense is negative and thus ‘a few’ is wrong.
Few boys will pass in the examination. Incorrect
A few boys will pass in the examination. Correct
Here the sense is positive and thus ‘few’ is incorrect.
I have already read a few books that are on the bookshelf. Incorrect
I have already read the few books that are on the bookshelf. Correct
Here the sense is ‘whatever there is’.
22. Use of ‘less’ and ‘fewer’
‘Less’ denote quantity and ‘fewer’ denote number.
No less than fifty persons were killed. Incorrect
No fewer than fifty persons were killed. Correct
There are no fewer than five liters of water in the jug. Incorrect
There are no less than five liters of water in the jug. Correct
23. Use of little, a little, the little.
‘Little’ means ‘hardly any’
There is a little hope of his recovery. Incorrect
There is little hope of his recovery correct
‘A little’ means ‘some’, though not much.
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Incorrect
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Correct
‘The little means ‘not much but all there is’.
The little milk that is in the pot may be used for the patient. Incorrect
The little milk that is in the pot may be used for the patient. Correct
24. Use of elder, older.
‘Older’ refers to persons as well as things and is followed by ‘than’.
Atif is elder than all other boys of this area. Incorrect
Atif is older than all other boys of this area. Correct
‘Elder’ is used for members of the family.
Dan is my older brother. Incorrect
Dan is my elder brother. Correct
25. normally ‘than’ is used in the comparative degree, but with words
like superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior and prefer
‘to’ is used.
Shelley is junior than Wordsworth. Incorrect
Shelley is junior to Wordsworth. Correct
I prefer reading than sleeping. Incorrect
I prefer reading to sleeping. Correct
26. When a comparison is made by using a comparative followed by
‘than’
He is stronger than any man. Incorrect
He is stronger than any other man. Correct
‘Any man’ includes the man himself and thus the sentences will be
absurd.
27. In some cases, the comparison is subtle and must be given proper
attention.
The climate of Islamabad is better than Lahore. Incorrect
Here the comparison should be between the climate of Islamabad and
the climate of Lahore.
The climate of Islamabad is better than the climate of Lahore. Correct
Or
The climate of Islamabad is better than that of Lahore. Correct
‘That of’ means ‘the climate of’
28. ‘many a’ is always followed by the singular verb.
Many a man were drowned in the river. Incorrect
Many a man was drowned in the river. Correct
29. If the subject is ‘the number of’ the singular verb is used.
The number of students are very small. Incorrect
The number of students is very small. Correct
30. When ‘as well as’, ‘along with’, together with’, ‘no less than’, ‘in
addition to’ and ‘not’ and ‘with’ join two subjects, the verb will be
according to the first subject.
Ali, as well as his ten friends, are going. Incorrect
Ali, as well as his ten friends, is going. Correct
The teacher, along with the students, were going. Incorrect
The teacher, along with the students, was going. Correct
31. ‘A great many’ is always followed by a plural noun and a plural
verb.
A great many student has been declared successful. Incorrect
A great many students have been declared successful. Correct
32. If two subjects are joined by ‘either or’, ‘neither nor’, the verb agrees
with the subject that is near.
Either Wasim or I are to do this work. Incorrect
Either Wasim or I am to do this work. Correct
Neither he nor his friends is reading. Incorrect
Neither he nor his friends are reading correct
33. When two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ point out the same thing or
person, the verb will be singular.
Bread and butter make a good breakfast. Incorrect
Bread and butter makes a good breakfast. Correct
The collector and the District Magistrate are on leave. Incorrect
The collector and District Magistrate is on leave. Correct
34. ‘One of’ always takes a plural noun after it.
It is one of the important day in my life. Incorrect
It is one of the important days in my life. Correct
35. Use of ‘not only’ and ‘but also; examine the sentences given below:
He not only comes for swimming but also for coaching the learners.
Incorrect
He comes not only for swimming but also for coaching the learners.
Correct
36. ‘Scarcely’ and ‘hardly’ are followed by ‘when’ and not by ‘than’.
I had scarcely entered the room than the phone rang. Incorrect
I had scarcely entered the room when the phone rang. Correct
37. ‘Though’ is followed by ‘yet’ and not by ‘but’.
Though he is poor but he is honest. Incorrect
Though he is poor, yet he is honest. Correct
38. ‘No sooner’ is followed by ‘than’.
No sooner had I entered the class when the student stood up. Incorrect
No sooner had I entered the class than the students stood up. Correct
39. ‘Lest’ must be followed by ‘should’.
Read regularly lest you will fail.
Read regularly least you should fail.
40. ‘such’ is followed by ‘as’.
He is such a writer that everybody should read his books. Incorrect
He is such a writer as everybody should read his books. Correct
41. ‘So’ is followed by ‘that’.
Reema was popular with her classmates that she always had some
people coming to her for advice. Incorrect
Reema was so popular with her classmates that she always had people
coming to her for advice. Correct
42. ‘Unless’ expresses a condition. It is always used in the negative
sense. Thus ‘not’ is never used with ‘unless’.
Unless you do not labour hard, you will not pass. Incorrect
Unless you labour hard, you will not pass. Correct
43. until expresses time. It has a negative sense and thus ‘not’ should
never be used with it.
Wait here until I do not return. Incorrect
Wait here until I return. Correct
44. ‘Since’ indicates a point of time and ‘for’ stands for the length of
time.
He has been reading the book since two hours. Incorrect
He has been reading the book for two hours. Correct
Two hours is a length of time and thus ‘for’ is correct.
It has been raining for Monday last. Incorrect
It has been raining since Monday last. Correct
45. ‘as if’ used to convey the sense of pretension. When ‘as if’ is used in
this sense, ‘were’ is used in all cases, even with third person singular.
He behaves as if he was a king. Incorrect
He behaves as if he were a king. Correct
The sense of time and tense is also very important. Certain important
rules are listed below.
46. A past tense in the principal clause is followed by a past tense in the
subordinate clause.
He saw that the clock has stopped. Incorrect
He saw that the clock had stopped. Correct
There are, however, two exceptions to this rule:
(1) A past tense in the principal clause may be followed by a present
tense in the subordinate clause, when it expresses a universal truth.
The teacher observed that the Earth moved round the sun. Incorrect
The teacher observed that the Earth moves round the sun. Correct
(2) When the subordinate clause is introduced by ‘than’, even if there is
past tense in the principal clause, it may be followed by any tense
required by the sense in the subordinate clause.
He helped him more than he helped his own children. Incorrect
He helped him more than he helps his own children. Correct
47. if two actions in a sentence are showing as happening in the past,
one after the other; the tense of the action happening first should be past
perfect and that of the second should be past indefinite.
The patient died before the doctor arrived. Incorrect
The patient had died before the doctor arrived. Correct
48. Two actions in the past, one depending on the other, should have the
sequence as follows:
Past perfect + future perfect
Had + past participle + would + have + past participle
If you had worked hard, you would have succeeded in the examination.
Or
Had you worked hard, you would have succeeded in the examination.
If you would had practiced regularly, you would won the match.
Incorrect
If you had practiced regularly, you would have won the match. Correct
49. If, in a sentence, two actions are indicated and both are to take place
in future, the sequence of tense will be as follows:
The subordinate clause in present indefinite; and the principal clause in
future indefinite.
If I go to Karachi, I shall attend the seminar.
‘If I go to Karachi’ is the subordinate clause and ‘I shall attend the
seminar’ is the principal clause.
If it will rain, I shall not attend the meeting. Incorrect
If it rains, I shall not attend the meeting. Correct
50. When an action has taken place in two clauses of a sentence, it is
used in both the clauses according to the requirement.
My brother has and is still doing excellent work for his
Organisation. Incorrect
My brother has done and is still doing excellent work for his
Organisation. Correct
51. When there is a sense of continuity, that is, when a thing has taken
place in the past and still continues in the present, the prefect continuous
tense form of the verb should be used.
Pakistan is independent for the last seventy years. Incorrect
Pakistan has been independent for the last seventy years. Correct
The use of article is also an important matter and one must be careful
about it.
52. before a consonant ‘a’ is used.
A boy, a horse, a woman.
But ‘a’ is also used before words like university, useful, unicorn, union,
European, and one, etc., because these words began with a consonant
sound.
Here is an university. Incorrect
Here is a university. Correct
An European lives in my area. Incorrect
A European lives in my area. Correct
It is an one - rupees note. Incorrect
It is a one – rupee note. Correct
52. Similarly, words like ‘hour’, ‘honest’, ‘heir’, etc., take ‘an’ before
them as they begin with a vowel sound.
I have been waiting for him for a hour. Incorrect
I have been waiting for him for an hour. Correct
53. Some important points to remember regarding the omission of
a/an/the:
1. Before a common noun used in its widest sense, e.g.
Man us mortal.
2. before names of materials.
Bronze is a useful metal.
3. Usually before proper names.
Karachi is the capital of Sindh.
4. Before abstract nouns used in general sense.
Beauty fascinates people.
5. before language.
English is a very popular language in the former British colonies.
6. Before ‘school’ ‘college’, ‘church’, ‘bed’, ‘table’, ‘hospital’, ‘market’,
and ‘prison’, when these place are visited or used for their common
purpose.
My Christian friends go to church every Sunday.
But ‘the’ is used with these words when we refer to them as a definite
place, building or object rather than to the normal activity that goes on
there.
I met my friend at the church.
7. before names of relations, like ‘father’, ‘mother’, ‘aunt’, ‘uncle’,
‘cook’ and ‘nurse’.
Father is very happy today.
8. before predicative nouns denoting a unique position that is normally
held at one time by one person only.
He was elected chairman of the Board.
54. Uses of ‘the’
1. When the object is unique.
The earth, the sky, the equator.
2. before superlatives
The best, the finest, the most
3. with proper nouns like ‘seas’, ‘rivers’, ‘group of island’, ‘chains of
mountains’, ‘deserts’, ‘newspaper’, ‘buildings’, ‘religious books’,
‘gulfs’,.
The Arabian Sea, the Ganges, the Taj Mahal,
4. before a proper noun, when it is qualified by an adjective.
The immortal Kalidas.
5. before an adjective, when the noun is hidden.
The rich should be kind and helping.
6. before musical instruments.
I know how to play the harmonium.
7. with a class of things.
The crow is a clever bird.
8. ‘The’ should be used before both comparative degrees when they are
used in a sentence for proportion.
Higher we go, cooler we feel. Incorrect
The higher we go, the cooler we feel. Correct
55. ‘What to speak of’ is incorrect; the correct expression is ‘not to
speak of’.
What to speak of running, he cannot even walk. Incorrect
Not to speak of running, he cannot even walk. Correct
56. When there is the sense of dislike, hesitation, risk, etc., in a sentence,
we should use a gerund instead of a verb. A gerund is that form of the
verb which ends in ‘ing’ and can be used in the place of a noun.
I dislike to see a film late in the night.
I dislike seeing a film late in the night.
Young girls hesitate to talk to strangers.
Young girls hesitate talking to strangers.
`57. ‘Cent per cent’ and ‘word by word’ are wrong. ‘Hundred per cent’
and ‘word for word’ are correct expressions.
You are never cent per cent sure of your success in competitive
examinations. Incorrect
You are never hundred per cent sure of your success in a competitive
examination. Correct

I can reproduce this lesson word by word. Incorrect

I can reproduce this lesson word for word. Correct
58. ‘Since’, ‘because’, ‘as’, ‘for’, - all means ‘because’, but there is a
difference in their degree. ‘Since’ and ‘because’ are used for stronger
cases and ‘as’ and ‘for’ for weak cases.
I respect him as he is my teacher. Incorrect
I respect him because he is my teacher. Correct
59. Use of ‘when’ and ‘while’: Proper attention must be paid to these
words. ‘When’ indicates a general sense and ‘while’ implies a time
during the process of doing a work.
When learning to swim, one of the most important things is to relax.
Incorrect
While learning to swim, one of the most important things is to relax.
Correct
60. Sometimes the error lies in the use of words. Proper attention must
therefore, be given to appropriate words.
He was leading a happy and leisurely life after his retirement from his
service. Incorrect
He was living a happy and leisurely life after his retirement from his
service. Correct
61. If in a sentence an apposition has been used, the verb will follow not
the apposition but the noun or pronoun preceding it.
You, my son, is a good boy. Incorrect
You, my son, are a good boy. Correct
63. Clauses in sentences beginning with a relative pronoun (who, which,
that) take a verb according to the noun or pronoun preceding the relative
pronoun.
It is I who has done it. Incorrect
It is I who have done it. Correct
64. The relative pronoun should be as near as possible to its antecedent
so that no ambiguity arises.
The boy is my cousin who stood first in the mile race. (Incorrect)
The boy, who stood first in the mile race, is my cousin. (Correct)
65. When two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ are preceded by ‘each’
or ‘every’ the pronoun used for them is singular.
Each man and each boy is responsible for their action. Incorrect
Each man and each boy is responsible for his action. Correct
66. Sometimes a pronoun is used where it is not required at all.
He being an M.A., he is qualified for the post. Incorrect
He, being an M.A., is qualified for the post. Correct
67. If a pronoun comes after a preposition it should be used in the
objective case.
Between you and I neither of us is correct. Incorrect
Between you and me neither of us is correct. Correct
68. When a pronoun comes after ‘like and unlike’ it takes objective case.
A man like I will not do it. Incorrect
A man like me will not do it. Correct
69. A pronoun takes an objective case after ‘let’.
Let I do it. Incorrect
Let me do it. Correct
70. Pronoun joined by ‘and’ remains in the same case.
He had her are brother and sister. Incorrect
He and she are brother and sister. Correct
He and me are friends. Incorrect
He and I are friends. Correct
71. When pronouns of second person and third person are used as
subjects, the pronoun following them will be according to the second
person pronoun.
You and he must bring his books. Incorrect
You and he must bring your books. Correct
72. When pronouns of second person and first person are used as
subjects, the pronoun following them will be first person plural form.
You and I must finish your work in time. Incorrect
You and I must finish our work in time. Correct
73. ‘But’ is also used as a relative pronoun. When a sentence has a
negative noun or pronoun, ‘but’ can be used with it. In this case ‘but’
means: who not; that not.
Here was none but laughed to see the joker.
Here the meaning of ‘but laughed’ is ‘who did not laugh’.
There is no bird but flies.
‘But flies’ means ‘that does not fly’.
74. The relative pronoun ‘that’ is used in preference to ‘who’ or ‘which’
after adjectives in the superlative degree.
The wisest man who ever lived made mistakes. Incorrect
The wisest man that ever lived made mistakes. Correct
This is the best which we can do. Incorrect
This is the best that we can do. Correct
75. The relative pronoun ‘that’ is also used in preference to ‘who’ and
‘which’ after the words ‘all’, ‘same’, ‘none’, ‘nothing’ and (the) ‘only’.
He is the same man who he has seen. Incorrect
He is the same man that he has seen. Correct
Man is the only animal who can talk. Incorrect
Man is the only animal that can talk. Correct
76. The same rule applies after the interrogative pronoun ‘who’ and
‘what’.
What is there which I do not know? Incorrect
What is there that I do not know? Correct
77. When there are two antecedents, a man and an animal or two things
before the r elative pronoun, we should use ‘that’.
The man and his dog which passed through this road were killed.
Incorrect
The man and his dog that passed through this road were killed. Correct
78. The case of the noun or pronoun preceding or succeeding the verb
‘to be’ should be the same.
It is him who came to see us. Incorrect
It is he who came to see us. Correct
It is me who caught the thief. Incorrect
It is I who caught the thief. Correct
80. When two or more adjectives are used to show the qualities of the
same man or thing, al the adjectives must be in the same degree.
Sita is more intelligent and wise than Rita. Incorrect
Sita is more intelligent and wiser than Rita. Correct
81. ‘Very’ is used with adjectives in the positive degree and with present
participles.
He is much stronger man. Incorrect
He is a very strong man. Correct
It is a much interesting book. Incorrect
It is very interesting book. Correct
‘Much’ is used with adjectives in the comparative degree and with past
participles.
He is very stronger than I am. Incorrect
He is much stronger than I am. Correct
I am very obliged to my friend. Incorrect
I am much obliged to my friend. Correct
82. To show equality ‘as’ is used before and after the adjective.
I can run as fast, if not faster, than you. Incorrect
I can run as fast as, if not faster, than you. Correct
83. Certain adjectives do not admit of comparison and thus they always
remain in the ‘positive degree’.
‘Absolute’, ‘annual’, ‘chief’, ‘circular’, ‘complete’, ‘entire’, ‘extreme’,
‘excellent’, ‘full’, ‘impossible’ ‘perfect’, ‘right’, ‘round’, ‘unique’,
‘universal’, ‘whole’, etc.
84. ‘More than one’ indicates a plural sense, but it is treated as a sort of
compound of one. Thus it agrees with a singular noun and takes a
singular verb.
More than one employees were killed in the accident. Incorrect
More than one employees was killed in the accident. Correct
85. A verb must agree with its subject and not with the complement.
Our only guide at night were the stars. Incorrect
Our only guide at night w as the s tars. Correct
86. If the plural subject denotes a definite amount or quantity taken as a
whole, the verb is singular.
Forty miles are a good distance. Incorrect
Forty miles is a good distance. Correct
Two – thirds of the book were rubbish. Incorrect
Two – third of the book was rubbish. Correct
88. When qualified by ‘each’ or ‘every’ two singular subjects, if even
connected by ‘and’, take a singular, if even connected by ‘and’, take a
singular verb.
Each boy and every girl were given rewards. Incorrect
Each boy and every girl was given rewards correct
89. The following words are always followed by an infinitive:
‘decide’, ‘plans’, ‘expect’, ‘fail’, ‘hope’, ‘intend’, ‘learn’, ‘promise’,
‘refuse’, ‘want’, ‘agree’, ‘consent’, ‘try’, ‘love’, etc.
I refuse meeting him. Incorrect
I refuse to meet him. Correct
90. the following verbs and phrases should be followed by gerund which
is a verbal noun: ‘enjoy’, ‘admit’, ‘deny’, ‘appreciate’, ‘regret’, ‘avoid’,
‘consider’, ‘stop’, ‘looking forward to’, ‘accustomed to’, ‘is used to’, ‘do
not mind’, ‘object to’, etc.
I am looking forward to receive your replay. Incorrect
I am looking forward to receiving your replay. Correct
He is used to work hard. Incorrect
He is used to working hard. Correct
91. The word ‘to’ is frequently used with the infinitive, but is not an
essential part of it. For example, after certain verb (‘bid’ ‘let’, ‘make’,
‘need’, ‘dare’, ‘see’, ‘hear’,) we use the infinitive without ‘to’.
Bid him to go there. Incorrect
Bid him go t here. Correct
Make him to stand. Incorrect
Make him stand. Correct
I saw him to cry. Incorrect
I saw him cry. Correct
92. The infinitive is used without ‘to’ after ‘had better’, ‘had rather’,
‘would rather’, ‘sooner than’, and ‘rather than’,
You had better to ask permission form him. Incorrect
You had better ask permission from him. Correct
93. ‘Than’ should be used after ‘no other’.
I met on other man but Mr. Roy. Incorrect
I met no other than Mr., Roy. Correct
Mateen has no other claim except his degrees. Incorrect
Mateen has no other claim than his degrees. Correct
94. After the word ‘know’, ‘how’ or ‘when’ should be used before using
an infinitive.
I know to write French. Incorrect
I know how to write French. Correct
95. A verb may take an infinitive or a gerund according to its
implication. If the verb indicates a purpose, an infinitive should be used
and if the verb indicates a cause, a gerund should be used.
He went to school for seeing the principal. Incorrect
He went to school for see the principal. Correct
He was turned out to copy answers. Incorrect
He was turned out for copying answers. Correct
96. adverb ‘as’ is not used with verbs like ‘appointed’, ‘elected’,
‘considered’, ‘called’, but it is used with ‘regard’,
He was elected as President of our society. Incorrect
He was elected President of our society. Correct
I regard Ramesh my friend. Incorrect
I regard Ramesh as my friend. Correct
97. After the verb ‘doubt’ ‘that’ should not be used. ‘if’ or ‘whether’
should be used in its place.
I doubt that Ravi will come. Incorrect
I doubt if Ravi will come. Correct
98. Often a mistake is committed in the use of adjectives and adverbs.
An adjective is correctly used with the verb when some quality of the
subject, rather than of the action of the verb, is to be expressed.
The flowers smelt sweetly. Incorrect
The flowers smelt sweet. Correct
99. It is a common practice is conversation to make a statement and ask
for confirmation; as, ‘It’s very hot, isn’t it? Two points are to be kept in
mind. If the statement positive, the pattern will be
Auxiliary + n’t + subject.
Examples:
It is raining, is it? Incorrect
It is raining, isn’t it? Correct
Your are not busy, aren’t you? Incorrect
You are not busy, are you? Correct
The point to note here is that the question tag will always have the same
verb from which we have in the main statement:
I have finished my work, didn’t I? Incorrect
I have finished my work, have n’t? Correct
100. There are certain common errors which should be avoided.
(a) ‘The two first’ is a meaningless expression for it implies that two
things may be first. We should say ‘the first two’.
The two first chapters of the novel are dull.
The first two chapters of the novel are dull.
(b) ‘Only’ should be placed immediately before the word it qualifies.
He only lost his ticket in the stampede. Incorrect
Only he lost his ticket in the stampede. Correct
(c) An infinitive verb should not be spit.
I request you to kindly to help me. Incorrect
I request you kindly to help me. Correct
(d) Care should be taken in the use of verbs.
The doctor saw the pulse of the patient. Incorrect
The doctor felt the pulse of the patient. Correct
He told the truth. Incorrect
He spoke the truth. Correct
Do not speak a lie. Incorrect
Do not tell a lie. Correct
Our team made a goal. Incorrect
Our team scored a goal. Correct
He is taking a bath. Incorrect
He is having a bath. Correct
I tell my prayers in the morning. Incorrect
I say my prayers in the morning. Correct

1. Using Proper Capitalization

Always start a sentence with a capital letter. Unless you're an avant-garde poet, you will need to
capitalize the first letter of every sentence without exception. Usually, the capitalized form of a letter is just
a bigger version of that letter, though there are exceptions (such as "q" and "Q").

 Here is an example of proper capitalization at the beginning of a sentence:

She invited her friend over after school.
 Use capital letters to start proper nouns and titles. In addition to starting sentences, capital letters
should also be at the start of both proper nouns and titles. Proper nouns are the official names of specific
people, places, and things. Titles, which are a type of proper noun, refer to the official names of works of
art like books, movies, plays, and so on, and of institutions, geographical areas, and much more. Titles
can also be honorifics (Her Majesty, Mr. President, etc.).

Titles and proper nouns that are more than one word long should have every word capitalized, except for
small words and articles like "the," "an," "and," etc. The first word of a title should be capitalized
regardless of what it is.

Here are a few examples of capital letters being used for proper nouns and titles:

Genghis  Khan quickly became the most powerful man in  Asia, if not the world.
In her opinion,  Queen  Roberta's favorite museum in the world is theSmithsonian, which she visited
during her trip to  Washington, D.C., last year.

Use capital letters for acronyms. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter of every word in a
long proper noun or title. Acronyms are frequently used to shorten long proper nouns that would be
awkward to reprint in their entirety every time they are mentioned. Sometimes the letters of an acronym
are separated by periods, though this is not always the case.

 Here is an example of acronyms made from capital letters:

The CIA and the NSA  are just two of the USA's many intelligence agencies.

Part 2 of 8: Using End-of-Sentence Punctuation Marks

Use a period (full stop) to end declarative sentences and statements. Every sentence contains at
least one punctuation mark - the one at its end. The most common of these sentence-ending punctuation
marks is the period (".", also called "full stop"). This simple dot is used to mark the end of a sentence that
is declarative. The majority of sentences are declarative - any sentence that states a fact, explains an
idea, or describes an idea, for instance, is declarative.

 Here is an example of a period (full stop) being used correctly at the end of a sentence:
 The accessibility of the computer has increased tremendously over the past several years.

Use a question mark to end questions. The question mark ( "?" ), used at the end of a sentence,
denotes that the sentence was an interrogative sentence - basically, a question. Use this punctuation
mark at the end of all your questions, queries, and inquiries.

 Here is an example of a question mark being used correctly at the end of a sentence:
What has humanity done about the growing concern of global warming?

Use an exclamation point to end exclamatory sentences. The exclamation point ("!", also called an
"exclamation mark" or "shout mark") suggests excitement or strong emphasis in the preceding sentence.
The exclamation point is also used, appropriately, to end exclamations - short expressions of intense
emotion that are often only one word long.

 Here are two examples of an exclamation point being used correctly at the end of a
sentence:
I can't believe how difficult the exam was!
Eek! You scared me!

Part 3 of 8: Using Commas

Use a comma to indicate a break or pause within a sentence. The comma (",") is a very versatile
punctuation mark - there are dozens of instances that might require you to use a comma in your writing.
Perhaps the most frequent use of commas is to imply an appositive - a break within a sentence that
supplements and adds information to the subject.

 Here is an example of commas being used to create a break in a sentence:

Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, is the developer of the operating system known as Windows.

Use the comma when listing items in a series. Another very common use for commas is to separate
items that are being listed in sequence. Usually, commas are written between each of the items and
between the second-to-last item and a conjunction.

 However, many writers omit the comma before the conjunction (called a Serial comma or
"Oxford comma") as conjunctions like "and" can usually make the meaning of the list
clear with or without the preceding comma.
  Here are two examples of commas used in listed series of items - one with an Oxford
Comma and one without.
The fruit basket contained apples, bananas, and oranges.
The computer store was filled with video games, computer hardware and other electronic paraphernalia.

Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives describing a noun.Sometimes, multiple adjectives
are used in a row to describe a single subject using multiple qualities. This usage of commas is somewhat
similar to using commas to separate items in a series, with one exception - it is incorrect to place a
comma after the final adjective.

 Here are examples of correct and incorrect comma usage when it comes to separating
adjectives:
CORRECT - The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention.
INCORRECT - The powerful, resonating, sound caught our attention.

Use a comma to separate one geographical area from another that is located inside. Specific
geographical places or areas are usually named by starting with the most precise location name and then
proceeding outwards. For instance, you might refer to a specific city by naming the city itself, followed by
the state it is in, followed by the country, and so on. Each geographic descriptor is followed by a comma.
Note that commas are also used after the final geographical area if the sentence continues.

 Here are two examples of correct comma usage when it comes to naming geographical
areas:
I am originally from Hola, Tana River County, Kenya.
Los Angeles, CA, is one of the largest cities in the United States.

Use a comma to separate an introductory phrase from the rest of the sentence. An introductory
phrase (which is usually one or more prepositional phrases) briefly introduces the sentence and provides
context, but is not part of the sentence's subject or predicate. Therefore, it should be separated from the
main clause by a comma.

 Here are two examples of sentences with introductory phrases separated from the rest of
the sentence by commas:
After the show, John and I went out to dinner.
On the back of my couch, my cat's claws have slowly been carving a large hole.
Use the comma to separate two independent clauses. Having two independent clauses in a sentence
simply means that you can split the sentence into two separate ones while preserving the original
meaning. If your sentence contains two independent clauses that are separated by a conjunction (such
as and, as, but, for, nor,so, or yet), place a comma before the conjunction.

 Here are two examples of sentences containing independent clauses:

Ryan went to the beach yesterday, but he forgot his sunscreen.
Water bills usually rise during the summer, as people are thirstier during hot and humid days.

Use a comma when making a direct address. When calling one's attention by saying their name at the
start of a sentence, separate the person's name and the rest of the statement with a comma. Note that
this comma is somewhat rare to encounter in writing because this is something that is normally only done
while speaking. In writing, it's more common for the writer to indicate who is speaking to whom via other
methods.

 Here is an example of a direct address:

Amber, could you come here for a moment?

Use a comma to separate direct quotations from the sentence introducing them. A comma should
come after the last word before a quotation that is being introduced with via context or description
provided by the rest of the sentence. On the other hand, it is not necessary to use a comma for an
indirect quote - in other words, if you are paraphrasing a quote's meaning without recreating the precise
wordage. Additionally, a comma is usually not necessary if you are not quoting an entire statement, but
only a few words from it.

 Here is an example of a direct quotation that requires a comma:

While I was at his house, John asked, "Do you want anything to eat?"
 Here is an example of an indirect quotation that does not require a comma:
While I was at his house, John asked me if I wanted anything to eat.
 Here is an example of a partial direct quotation, which, due to its brevity and its use within
the sentence, doesn't require a comma:
According to the client, the lawyer was "lazy and incompetent."

Part 4 of 8: Using Colons and Semicolons

Use a semicolon to separate two related but independent clauses. The proper use of a semicolon is
similar, but not identical, to that of a period. The semicolon marks the end of one independent clause and
the start of another within a single sentence. Note that, if the two clauses are very wordy or complex, it is
better to use aperiod (full stop) instead.

 Here's an example of a semicolon being used correctly:

People continue to worry about the future; our failure to conserve resources has put the world at risk.
Use a semicolon to separate a complex series of items. Usually, the items in a written list are
separated by commas, but for lists in which one or more items require comment or explanation,
semicolons can be used in conjunction with commas to keep the reader from becoming confused. Use
semicolons to separate items and their explanations within the list from one another - to separate an item
from its own explanation and vice versa, use a comma.
 Here's an example of semicolons being used correctly in a list whose meaning might
otherwise be ambiguous:
I went to the show with Jake, my close friend; his friend, Jane; and her best friend, Jenna.

Use the colon to introduce a list. Be careful, however, not to use a colon when stating an idea that
requires naming a series of items. The two are similar, but distinct. Usually, the words following or
"below" suggest the use of a colon. Use only after a full sentence which ends in a noun.

 Here's an example of a colon being used correctly in this fashion:

The professor has given me three options: to retake the exam, to accept the extra credit assignment, or
to fail the class.
 Here, on the other hand, is an incorrect example:
The Easter basket contained: Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits, and other candy.

Use a colon to introduce a new concept or example. Colons can also be used after a descriptive
phrase or explanation to imply that the next piece of information will be the thing being described or
explained. It can help to think of this as introducing a list containing only one item.

 Here's an example of a colon being used properly in this way:

There's only one person old enough to remember that wedding: grandma.
Use a colon to separate parts of a title. Some works of art, particularly books and movies, can have
long, subdivided titles. In these cases, each title after the first is called a subtitle. Use colons at the end of
each "part" of the title to separate each subtitle from the rest of the title.

 Here's an example of colons being used in this way to subdivide two lengthy titles:
Fred's favorite movie was The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, though Stacy preferred its
sequel, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Part 5 of 8: Using Hyphens and Dashes

Use a hyphen when adding a prefix to some words. The purpose of this hyphen is to make the word
easier to read. For instance, if you were to leave the hyphen out of a word like re-examine, it would
be reexamine, which confuse readers. However, some words do not require a hyphen to separate the
prefix from the word, such asrestate, pretest, and undo. Let a dictionary be your guide for when to use the
hyphen after a prefix.

 Here's an example of good hyphen usage:

Cara is his ex-girlfriend.

Use hyphens when creating compound words from several smaller words. If you've ever written
about anything that's gold-plated, radar-equipped, or one-size-fits-all, you've used a hyphen in this way.
To build a long, descriptive word out of two or more component words, use hyphens to separate the
"pieces" from each other.

 Here's an example of a hyphen used to build a compound word:

The up-to-date newspaper reporters were quick to jump on the latest scandal.

Use a hyphen when writing numbers out as words. Separate the two words of any number under one
hundred with a hyphen. Be careful with spelling out numbers above one hundred — if the number is used
as an adjective, it is completely hyphenated, since all compound adjectives are hyphenated (This is the
one-hundredth episode.). Otherwise, a hyphen should only occur if a number lower than 100 occurs
within the larger number, e.g., He lived to be one hundred twenty-one.
  Don't use "and" when writing numbers, as in "The amount is one hundred andeighty".
This is a common error in the US and Canada, where the "and" is usually omitted.
Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, however, the "and" can be included.
 Here are two examples of hyphens being used in numbers below and above one
hundred, respectively:
There are fifty-two playing cards in a deck.
The packaging advertised one thousand two hundred twenty-four firecrackers, but it only contained one
thousand.

. Use a dash when making a brief interruption within a statement. The dash ("--" or "—") is
slightly longer than the hyphen and is used to convey a sudden change of thought, an additional
comment, or a dramatic qualification within a sentence. It can also be used to add a parenthetical
statement, such as for further clarification, but this should still be relevant to the sentence.
Otherwise, use parentheses. Keep in mind that the rest of the sentence should still flow naturally.

 To judge whether a dash is appropriate, try to remove the statement within the dash from
the sentence. If the sentence appears disjointed or does not make sense, then you may
need to revise, rather than using the dash.
 There should be spaces before and after the dash in British English.
 Here are two examples of proper dash usage:
An introductory clause is a brief phrase that comes — yes, you guessed it — at the beginning of a
sentence.
This is the end of our sentence — or so we thought.

Use a hyphen to split a word between two lines. Though this use is not as common today, the hyphen
("-") was once a common punctuation mark on typewriters, used when a long word had to be split
between two lines. This system is still seen in some books, though computer word processing programs
have made this rarer.

 Here's an example of a hyphen being used to split a word that's cut into two pieces by a
line break:
No matter what else he tried, he just couldn't get the novel's elect- -rifying surprise ending out of his head.

Part 6 of 8: Using Apostrophes
Use the apostrophe together with the letter s to indicate possession. The apostrophe (" ' ") has a
variety of uses for conveying the concept of possession. Be aware of the difference in using an
apostrophe with singular or plural nouns. A singular
noun will use the apostrophe before the "s" ('s), whereas the plural version of that singular noun will use
the apostrophe after the "s" (s'). This use comes with several stipulations - see below.

 Be mindful of nouns that are always considered to be plural, such

as childrenand people — here, you should use 's even though the nouns are plural.
 Also be aware of pronouns that are already possessive and do not require apostrophes,
such as hers and its (it's is used only for the contractions of it isand it has). Their is
possessive without apostrophe or s, except as a predicate adjective, where it
becomes theirs.
 Here is an example of an apostrophe used for showing possession with a singular noun:
The hamster's water tube needs to be refilled.
 Here is an example of an apostrophe used for showing possession with a plural noun:
In the pet store, the hamsters' bedding needed to be changed.
 Here is an example of an apostrophe used for showing possession with a plural noun that
doesn't end with "s":
These children's test scores are the highest in the nation.

Use the apostrophe to combine two words to make a contraction.Contractions are shortened
combinations of two words. For example, cannotbecomes can't, "it is" becomes "it's", you
are becomes you're, and they have becomesthey've. In every contraction, the apostrophe replaces the
letters that are omitted from one or both words.

 Be sure to use the possessive pronoun your and the contraction you're for their distinct,

separate uses — it is one of the most common grammar mistakes to confuse them!
 Here is an example of apostrophes used for a contraction of it is and a singular noun with
possession, while correctly being omitted for possessive pronouns (hers, theirs, its):
Friends of hers explained that  it's  her idea, not theirs, to refill the hamster's water tube and change its
bedding.
Use the single quotation mark within a regular quotation to indicate a quotation within a
quotation. Single quotation marks, which look almost identical to apostrophes, are used to separate
quotations from other quotations which surround them. Use these carefully - always make sure every
quotation mark you use to start a quote in your sentence is paired with a corresponding one at the end of
the quote.

 Here is an example of a quote-within-a-quote:

Ali said, "Anna told me,  'I wasn't sure if you wanted to come!'"

. Don't use apostrophes with s to make a plural noun from a singular. This is a very common
mistake and should be avoided. Remember that apostrophes are used to show possession - not
that there are more than one of something.

 Here are examples of correct and incorrect apostrophe usage:

CORRECT - apple → apples
INCORRECT - apple → apple's

Part 7 of 8: Using Slashes

Use the slash to separate and and or, when appropriate. Slashes ( " / " ) in phrases

like and/or suggests the options described are not mutually exclusive.

 Here is an example of good and/or usage:

To register, you will need your driver's license and/or your birth certificate.

Use the slash when quoting lyrics and poetry to denote a line break. Slashes are especially useful
when it is impractical to recreate the original formatting of a poem or song. When using slashes in this
way, be sure to add spaces between your slashes.

 Here is an example of slashes used to mark line breaks in a song:

Row, row, row your boat / Gently down the stream.  / Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, /  Life is but a
dream.
Also use the slash to replace the word and to join two nouns. By replacingand with a slash, you
suggest that there is equal importance to both options listed. Use these replacements in moderation to
place greater emphasis where and may not do so, as well as to avoid confusing the reader. You can also
do the same for or, as inhis/her. However, you should not use the slash to separate independent clauses.

 Here are examples of how to use and how not to use a slash in this way:
CORRECT
"The student and part-time employee has very little free time." →
"The student/part-time employee has very little free time."
INCORRECT
"Do you want to go to the grocery store, or would you prefer to go to the mall?" →
"Do you want to go to the grocery store / would you prefer to go to the mall?"

Part 8 of 8: Using Miscellaneous Punctuation Marks

Use the double quotation mark ( " ) to enclose a direct quotation, whether spoke by a person or
taken from a written source. Generally speaking, quotation marks are used to denote that the
information is a quote. In other words, whether you're recreating someone's verbal speech or simply re-
writing something that they wrote elsewhere, you'll use quotation marks.

 Below are two examples of quotation mark usage:

"I can't wait to see him perform!"  John exclaimed.
According to the article, the value of the dollar in developing nations is  "strongly influenced by its
aesthetic value, rather than its face value."

Use parentheses to clarify. Parentheses are often used to explain something that can't be deduced
from the rest of the sentence. When using parentheses ( " ( ) " ), be sure to include the sentence's
period after the closing parenthesis, except in the case that an entire sentence is within parentheses.
Note that sometimes parentheses and commas can be used interchangeably.

 Here is an example of parentheses used for clarification:

Steve Case (AOL's former CEO) resigned from the Time-Warner board of directors in 2005.
Use parentheses to denote an afterthought. Parentheses can also be used to contain information that
is supplementary to the sentence they are part of. In this case, the line between when to use parentheses
and when it is best to start a new sentence can be somewhat murky. A good general rule is to use
parentheses for short additions and quips, not complex ideas.

 Here is an example of parentheses used for an afterthought. Note that the period (full
stop) follows the last parentheses — not before the first. Also note that replacing the
parentheses with a comma may not be entirely suitable here, while a period or a
semicolon may work:
You will need a flashlight for the camping trip (don't forget the batteries!).

Use parentheses for personal comments. One additional usage of parentheses is to contain the
writer's direct comments to the reader. Usually, the comments contained in parentheses refer to the
preceding sentence. As above, the shorter and simpler the better. If you have to expound at great length
or reference several disparate pieces of your writing, it's usually best to start a new sentence.

 Here is an example of parentheses used for a personal comment:

Most grammarians believe that parentheses and commas are always interchangeable (I disagree).

Use brackets to signify an editor's note in a regular piece of writing. You can also use brackets ( " [ ]
" ) to clarify or to revise a direct quote so that it appeals to your own writing. Brackets are often used to
encompass the word "sic" (Latin for thus), suggesting that the previous word or phrase was written "as is",
with the error intended to be displayed.

 Here is an example of brackets used for clarity in a direct quote. Note that, in this
case, "It was absolutely devastating!", for instance, might be the actual quote:
"[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith, a local bystander at the scene of the incident.

Use braces to denote a numeric set in mathematics. Though generally uncommon, braces ( " { } " )
can also be used in regular writing to indicate a set of equal, independent choices.

 Here are two examples of brace usage - note that the second is exceedingly rare:
The set of numbers in this problem are: { 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 }
Choose your favorite utensil { fork, knife, spoon } and bring it to me.
Tips

 In formal writing, try to avoid excessive use of question marks and exclamation points. Most of

your sentences should be declarative statements.

 Some very easy things to do are think like you're talking for real, if someone says "I want to do

something let's go right now" you would put an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence,

because you're enthused. And put a comma (,) at the end of "something" and before "Let's go" so

that proper would be "I want to do something, let's go!" See? Easy!

 If you decide against the serial comma in your work, make sure that the meaning of the sentence

can stand without its use. Think about the classic example of a sentence in which the serial

comma is needed: "My heroes are my parents, Mother Teresa and the Pope."

 Although dashes and parentheses have similar uses, remember that parentheses indicate a

stronger "side notion" than dashes.

 Dashes are usually considered to be informal. You might want to replace the use of a dash with a

set of parentheses, or even commas. Similarly, limit the frequency of dash use in your writing;

they should be reserved to emphasize a couple of important points.

 Never be afraid to have short sentences in your writing by splitting up long sentences that contain

several points. Your reader will appreciate writing that is clear and concise with briefer

statements, as opposed to a one-page paragraph with twenty words per sentence.

 The placement of punctuation marks before or after a closing quotation mark varies.

o American English always places periods (full stops) and commas inside the quotation

marks, "like so." British English generally places the periods (full stops) and commas

after the quotation marks, "like so".

o Semicolons and colons always go outside the quotation marks, "like so";

o Question marks and exclamation marks vary depending upon the context: If the whole

sentence is a question and the quotation is a word or phrase at the end of the sentence,
 the question mark goes outside the quotation marks. If the whole sentence is a statement

and the quotation is a question, the quotation mark goes inside the quotation marks.

 Do you like to watch "The Office"?

 He shouted, "Where do you think you're going?"

 Many grammar experts believe that parentheses and commas are often interchangeable when

setting off information. While this is sometimes true, there are some cases where a set of

parentheses might be more suitable, such as in indicating one's personal thought.

 There are exceptions to the hyphen-dash rule. In making compound words, when one of the

words is itself composed of two words, use an en dash ( – ) rather than a hyphen, as in, "He took

the Paris–New York route." En dashes are also used between numbers, as in page numbers or

years, to denote a range. ("A discussion on personal finance is found in pages 45–62.")

 If you write in a professional capacity, be sure to follow any guidelines or style guides provided by

your employer. In some cases, their rules can be at odds with what you read here or elsewhere,

but their rules always take precedence. For example, some companies use serial commas (a, b,

and c) and others do not (a, b and c).

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Warnings