Identification of errors and editing:

Underline the redundant words or phrases:

1. I saw it with my own eyes.

2. She added an additional bonus.
3. Meet me at 12 noon. (Meet me at 12 OR Meet me at noon)
4. The money that I have is sufficient enough for my needs.
5. I am nearly almost finished with this chapter. (either nearly or almost)
6. The new innovations at the World Fair were fascinating.
7. Bill asked the speaker to repeat again because he had not heard him the first time.
8. The class advanced forward rapidly.
9. She returned back to her hometown after she had finished her degree.
10. My teacher he said to listen to the news on the radio in order to practice listening
comprehension.

What are the common errors?

1. If the correct preposition isn’t used.

Example: Pulses are a rich source in protein.

Correction: Pulses are a rich source of protein.

2. If there is no subject verb agreement.

3. The various words in a sentence should have the same tense to follow the same concept.

Example:

Students, for example, must learn about programming, computing, and how to process. (Incorrect)

Students, for example, must learn programming, computing, and processing. (Correct)

4. If there is redundancy:

Example: The lights were dimmed slow, and the crowd gasped when the blue glow of the painted
letters became apparent.

5.Punctuation errors: use of comma, semicolon, colon and dashes/Em dash.

Identify the errors: (Solved)

I enjoy listening music. (Preposition missing)

I enjoy listening to music.

1. While I appreciate your efforts to ensure that the event runs smoothly, it is interfering with my
ability to give the artists the flexibility they require.

a) No error
b) It is
c) Interfering with
d) To ensure that

Correct sentence: While I appreciate your efforts to ensure that the event runs smoothly, they are
interfering with my ability to give the artists the flexibility they require.

2. The buzzing noises emitting from the alarm clock makes me cringe every time that I hear them.

a) every time
b) them
c) emitting from
d) makes

Correct sentence: The buzzing noises emitting from the alarm clock make me cringe every time that I
hear them.

They makes noises. (Incorrect)

They make noises.

3. Harold had always found the specialized jargon of artisanal coffee

shops being confusing and intimidating.

a) jargon of
b) being
c) had always found
d) and
e) no error

Correct sentence: Harold had always found the specialized jargon of artisanal coffee shops to be
confusing and intimidating.

4. His family grew up eating a steady diet of meat and potatoes, and now they are being reluctant to
try new foods like enchiladas and kale chips.

a) No error
b) steady diet
c) are being
d) to try
e) like enchiladas and kale chips

Correct sentence: His family grew up eating a steady diet of meat and potatoes, and now they are
reluctant to try new foods like enchiladas and kale chips.

(This sentence uses a progressive tense when it is not needed.)

5. The new budget was not determined entirely by the Board of Directors, but they certainly had a
lot of influence.

a) No error
 b) was not determined
c) they
d) had
e) by

Correct sentence: The new budget was not determined entirely by the Board of Directors, but it
certainly had a lot of influence.

6. Members of the blue team travel around the city collecting buttons, and it will not be able
to communicate with the red team at any time.

a) It
b) no error
c) will not be able to
d) at any time
e) collecting buttons

Correct sentence: Members of the blue team travel around the city collecting buttons, and they will
not be able to communicate with the red team at any time.

Explanation: In this sentence, the pronoun “it” does not match in number with its antecedent
“Members.”

7. The sharp beak and beady eyes of a common farm chicken can be terrifying to those who have
never seen this animal previous.

a) sharp beak and beady eyes

b) No error
c) Can be terrifying
d) Previous
e) who

Correct sentence: The sharp beak and beady eyes of a common farm chicken can be terrifying to
those who have never seen this is animal previously.

Explanation: This sentence uses the adjective “previous” to describe the verb “seen.” An adverb
would be better.

8. The comprehensive chemistry exam consists in four parts in which students must correctly
identify the element or compound.

Explanation: use the correct preposition.

9. While his parents were at work, Michael skipped school and decided to take the train for the
city, where he met his older brother Jimmy and some of Jimmy's friends. Ans- to

10. Everyone will tell you that our soccer team is the best among our county. Ans-in

11. Her explanation for her absence, that she had been at the laundromat and lost track of time,
was confirmed with the piles of neatly folded laundry on the dresser. Ans-by

12. My two dogs have recently become rather mutually antagonistic, and I am struggling to keep
them separate to each other. Ans-from
13. Intense, obsessive preoccupation with success can seem either unhealthy and unnatural
or commendable and prestigious. (No error)

PYQ (March 2023 End sem)

Each consecutive underlined section corresponds with an answer choice. Select the choice
that has an error, or select choice E for no error.

1. Symptoms of this illness A that warrant a doctorvisit B includes fever, C vomiting, and
diarrhea, as well as the D loss ofappetite. E No error.

1. A

2. B

3. C

4. D

5. E

B: “Includes” is incorrect because it is the singular form of the verb, but the subject,
“symptoms,” is plural. The verb should be “include.” The subordinating conjunction “that”
introducing the dependent clause, and its plural verb “warrant,”(A) are both correct.
“…vomiting, and” (C) is punctuated correctly as the last in a series of three or more words.
The singular noun “loss” (D) is correct.

2. A Professor Lane, our B Computer Science teacher, was excited when he had the
opportunity to meet C Bill Gates, the D president of Microsoft, Inc. E No error.

1. A

2. B

3. C

4. D

5. E

E: There is no error in this sentence. Titles and proper names (A) are capitalized. Academic
subjects or departments are lower-case (e.g. department of computer science) unless they are
adjectives (Computer Science teacher) (B) or proper nouns (English, French, etc.) Bill Gates (C)
is a proper noun, i.e. a name, and is always capitalized. “…the president” (D) is correctly lower-
case both because it is used after a name, and because it is a used as a description rather than
a title here.
Punctuation:
How to use comma, colon and semi-colon correctly:

Semicolons:

1. Use a semicolon to separate two related independent clauses (clauses that can stand as sentences
on their own) that are not linked by a comma and coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or,
yet, and so).

Jill did three hours of homework today; Jen did five-and-a-half.

2. Use a semicolon to separate two related independent clauses linked by an adverb (however,
therefore, nevertheless, etc.).

My doctor told me to avoid heavy lifting; nevertheless, I helped Bill move the piano.

3. Use semicolons to separate items in a complex series.

A complex series contains internal punctuation. Semicolons help to clearly mark the break between
each item in the series.

Today I met Linda, who is tall; Fred, who is a biology major; Amy, who likes to swim; and John, who
has brown hair.

4. Do NOT use a semicolon between an independent and a dependent clause (one that cannot stand
as a sentence on its own).

A comma is the appropriate punctuation between a dependent and independent clause.

WRONG: If you toss me the keys; I’ll open up the trunk.

RIGHT: If you toss me the keys, I’ll open up the trunk.

5. Semicolons go outside quotation marks.

Hank told me, “I don’t like cheese”; I think he’s crazy.

Colons:

1. Use a colon to introduce a list.

The clause preceding the colon must be an independent clause. A colon should not separate parts of
speech that naturally go together, such as an infinitive and its object (see below).

WRONG: My mother told me to buy: a box of crackers, a cake of soap, a package of toilet paper, a
head of lettuce, and a sack of flour.

RIGHT: My mother told me to buy five things at the store: a box of crackers, a cake of soap, a
package of toilet paper, a head of lettuce, and a sack of flour.

2. Use a colon to introduce an appositive (a phrase used to describe or define a noun).

Elsa had a thought: what if she walked around the mountain, instead of over it?

3. Use a colon to set off a second independent clause that modifies the first.

Aaron was happy today: he hopped and skipped all the way to the post office.
5. Use colons to introduce quotations after an independent clause.

Use a comma when introducing quotations after a dependent clause.

WRONG: Jodie said: “I think you are the coolest person I know.”

RIGHT: Jodie told me a secret: “I think you are the coolest person I know.”

6. Use colons in titles.

Procrastination: The Art of Wasting Time

7. Use colons in business letters and memoranda.

In business letters and memos, colons are used in salutations (Dear Mr. Soandso:) and in memo
headings (To:, From:, Date:, Subject:, Dist:).

8. Use colons in numbers and addresses.

Colons are used for Biblical citations to separate chapter from verse (Mark 4:12), in clock times to
separate hours from minutes (8:56 a.m.), in ratios (4:1), and in website addresses
(http://www.sparknotes.com).

Use semicolons at the appropriate place: (with answers)

1. The universe has always called to human beings; there could be no more final frontier than space.

2. Sam thought David was inviting him to the picnic to enjoy a nice day out; as it turned out, David
was planning a surprise birthday party.

3. The specimens were treated properly; however, they were not stored properly.

4. Sarah and her friends loved spending time on the mountain; nature always held a special meaning
for them.

5. Thousands of protesters showed up on the streets; they were shouting and carrying large posters.

Use colons at the appropriate place: (with answers)

Using a colon: The clause preceding the colon should be an independent clause.

Used- to list items, to expand an idea.

1. Humans use five major senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

2. Martha realized that her worst fear was coming true: her son was being sent to war.

3. I have three desires: to eat, sleep, and work.

4. There is one mantra that can sum up our position on climate change: urgent action. (a complete
sentence after a colon is not necessary, a word or a phrase is fine).

5. The executives finally decided what they would do with the company: sell it at a loss.
Comma and oxford comma:

- Use comma to list items or short phrases.

- to separate long independent clauses separated by conjunction.

1. I bought bread, cheese, and pickles at the grocery store.

2. Astronomers have known about the positions of stars for centuries, but they didn’t understand
that the earth revolves around the sun.

3. All doctors, if they care about their patients, are concerned with good office hygiene. (Put 2
commas at appropriate places in this sentence).

Commas:

Commas are used to separate phrases, clauses or items on a list.

Use commas where necessary: (Solved)

1. The specimens were treated properly; however, they were not stored properly.

2. He walked down the street, and then he turned around the corner.

(Hint- Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, yet, so, or nor, for) when it joins
two complete ideas (independent clauses).

3. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord.

4. Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon park, rangers discovered a gold mine.

5. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (where do you put an oxford comma?)

6. John, who spent the last three days fishing is back on the job again.

7. Alexander Pope, the Restoration poet is famous for his monologues.

8. John, I think you’re wrong.

9. I think you’re wrong, John.

10. John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.

11. Sandra Belinsky, MD has been appointed to the board.

Answers:

1. The specimens were treated properly; however, they were not stored properly.
2. He walked down the street, and then he turned around the corner.

3. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord.

4. Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, park rangers discovered a gold mine.

5. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today.

6. John, who spent the last three days fishing, is back on the job again.

7. Alexander Pope, the Restoration poet, is famous for his monologues.

8. John, I think you’re wrong.

9. I think you’re wrong, John.

10. John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.

11. Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board.

Dashes/Em dash:

A dash is typed as two hyphens. There should be no space between a dash and the words on either
side.

1. Use dashes to highlight extra informational comments.

Helga’s strict rules—as well as her delicious schnitzel—are known for miles around.

2. Use dashes to set off important or surprising points.

Jonah just ate a million donuts—literally.

3. It can function as a comma, parentheses, or colon, but creates subtly different effects in each
case.

• It can be used to replace a comma, for example-

With comma: And so, when the baby was born in June, nearly two months premature, the parents
were happy but quite nervous, and they still had to buy all of the baby supplies.

With Em dash: And so, when the baby was born in June—nearly two months premature—the
parents were happy but quite nervous, and they still had to buy all of the baby supplies.

• It can be used instead of the parentheses:

Editing:

1. Sohan will come for meeting you.

2. This is a worth-seeing movie.

3. I go to school every day through the bus.

4. This is the way how I did it.

5. She talks as if she is the landlady.

6. Aslam went there despite of the danger.

7. Rohan passed in the examination while Chaitanya failed it.

8. He went by foot.

9. Being a rainy day I could not walk to college.

10. He will learn English slowly.

11. I took a bath.

Answers:

1. Sohan will come to meet you.

2. This is a movie worth watching.

3. I go to school every day by the bus.

4. This is how I did it.

5. She talks as if she were the landlady.

6. Aslam went there despite the danger. (In spite of the danger or despite the danger)

7. Rohan passed the examination while Chaitanya failed it.

8. He went on foot.

9. It being a rainy day, I could not walk to college.

10. He will learn English by and by. / He will learn English eventually.

11. I had a bath.