Spot the error in Adjectives - Rules, examples and practice questions

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'each and every' with 'each'.

'Each' is used for a single number of 'two or more persons' or 'things'.

'Every' is used for a single number of 'many persons' or 'things'.

The correct sentence should be: There were only two commandos but each commando was equal to six policemen.

Example:

Each	Each girl must take part in the game.
	There were five boys. Each was handsome.

Every	She comes to me every day.
	India wants peace in every corner of the world.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'certain' with 'a certain'.

The correct way to write this is 'a certain + singular countable noun'. e.g. a certain boy, a certain book.

The correct sentence should be: She ordered a certain girl to make entry into the Manager's office.

All the following words should be followed by a singular countable noun.

A / An / A Certain / Another / This / That / Each / Every/ Either/ Neither

For e.g.

Don't say:	a certain girls
Say:	a certain girl
Don't say:	Each boys are interested in the debate.
Say:	Each boy is interested in the debate.

However, following words should be followed by plural countable nouns

These / Those / Certain / Other

For e.g. certain radios

Observe the following sentences carefully to see the difference:

e.g. Only certain courses in Biology are prescribed.

Only a certain course in Biology is prescribed.

Note that the following words may be used with singular or plural as per the sentence.

Such / The Same/ The Other / Any / No + Singular Or Plural Countable Noun

e.g. such a book or such books
the same boy or the same boys
any book or any books
no girl or no girls

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'the most' with 'a'.

Some adjectives do not admit of comparison because their meaning is already superlative. 'Unique' is one such adjective.

The correct sentence should be: Everybody knows that Sonu Nigam is a unique singer of this industry.

Same applies for the following adjectives

Unique, Excellent, Major, Minor, Maximum, Minimum, Perfect, Complete, Whole, Full, Universal, Impossible, Ideal, Extreme, Entire, Full, Chief Geometrical Shape - Round, Square, Spherical, Rectangular, Parallel, Triangular

e.g.

Don't say:	It is most extreme cold.
Say:	It is extreme cold.
Don't say:	More parallel / more triangular
Say:	Parallel / triangular

Note that the above words already convey superlative sense.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'further' with 'farther'.

'Farther' means 'a greater distance'.

'Further' means 'something additional'.

The correct sentence should be: Chennai is farther from Pune than Nagpur.

For e.g

Further discussion will be held in the other office.

I don't want to give you anything further

Amritsar is farther from Delhi than Ambala.

Her house is farther than mine from Swargate.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'last' with 'latest'.

'Last' means 'final in position or order'.

'Latest' expresses 'time'.

The correct sentence should be: You can see this channel for the latest news of this week.

In case of 'last' 'later', 'latter' and 'latest'

Later expresses 'late in time'. Latter expresses 'second in position or order'. Latest expresses 'time'. Last means 'final in position or order'.

Observe the examples below to see the difference -

My friend reached later than I expected.

The latter position was better than the former.

What is the latest news/ report?

He was first to come and last to go.

Who was the last man to join them?

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'first' with 'foremost'.

'First' shows 'order or position'

'Foremost' shows 'the most notable'.

The correct sentence should be: It is a fact that John F. Kennedy was the foremost politician of his time.

For e.g.

He is the foremost dancer of our time.

She was the foremost leader of her time.

First in beauty is first in might.

The first edition was published in the year 1995.

Note: First and foremost can be used together in a sentence, when the idea in the sentence is to be intensified.

e.g. Our first and foremost duty is to protect our motherland.

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Replace 'less' with 'fewer'.

'Less' denotes 'in small degree'.

'Fewer' denotes 'number'.

The correct sentence should be: No fewer than hundred audiences are sitting in the hall and waiting for the final performance.

e.g.

Use fewer if you’re referring to people or things in the plural (e.g. houses, newspapers, dogs, students).

Use less when you’re referring to something that can’t be counted or doesn’t have a plural. (e.g. money, air, time, music, rain).

He devotes less time to his studies.

People want to spend less time in traffic jam.

There are no fewer than fifty boys in our class.

The workers roped no fewer than two hundred trees within ten hours.

Use of Less and Lesser.

Less means 'in a small degree'. It can be used as a noun, an adjective, and an adverb.

Lesser can be used as an adjective. As an adjective, it is a step further to less.
e.g.

My income is less than yours. (Adjective)

Chemistry is less difficult than biology. (Adverb)

Choose the lesser evil of the two.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'much' with 'many'.

'Much' expresses 'quantity' i.e. it is purely quantitative adjective and uncountable noun is used after 'much'. e.g much milk, how much money etc.

'Many' expresses 'number' e.g. Many boys, many fruits

The correct sentence should be: In spite of facing many problems he did not falter from his path.

e.g.

Many boys are present today.

There is not much water in the jug.

This survey gives us much knowledge of the public opinion.

Some other quantitative adjectives are:

Little, Whole, A Lot Of, Lots Of, A Great Deal Of, Plenty Of, Some, Enough

Note: If in any sentence, both countable and uncountable nouns are used, adjectives should be used accordingly.

For e.g. Has he bought many milk and much apples?

The correct sentence should be: Has he bought much milk and many apples?

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Replace 'whole the' with 'the whole'.

'Whole' is a quantitative adjective and the correct form is 'the whole'.

The correct sentence should be: The whole chapter of the book is full of printing errors.

'The whole' is used before nouns.

'All' shows total of many things together. 'All' is numeral as well as quantitative adjective.

For e.g.

I will die as all men are mortal.

All that glitters is not gold.

The whole of India mourned the death of Jayalalithaa.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'than' with 'to'.

After 'preferable/ prefer' preposition 'to' is used, not conjunction 'than'.

The correct sentence should be: This candy is preferable to that and its taste is also comparatively good.

Similarly, in case of 'Prefer',

When comparison is between two nouns, 'to' is used.

There are some Latin adjectives which are always followed by 'to'. They are -

Senior, Junior, Superior, Inferior, Prior, Posterior

e.g. He is senior to me.

Also note that, 'more' or 'much' is not used before these adjectives.

Don't say: He is more junior to me.
Say: He is junior to me.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Remove 'more'.

Use of 'more better' would make the sentence double comparative, which is not standard English usage.

Similarly, double superlative is also incorrect.

The correct sentence should be: Her mother told him that it would be better if he would do his work himself.

Double superlative such as 'the most brightest' is also incorrect.

The correct expression would be 'the brightest'.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'more' with 'most'.

The intention here is to convey that it is the most difficult one, of the questions he usually solves.

The correct sentence should be: This is the most difficult question I have ever solved within ten minutes.

ANSWER: 4

Explanation:
Replace 'more' with 'most'.

When 'two or more persons' or 'things' are compared with other person or thing, superlative degree is used.

The correct sentence should be: All the paintings are interesting but this one is the most interesting.

e.g. All the girls are good but you are the best.

All your stunts are daring but this one is certainly the most daring.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'some' with 'any'.

'Any' is used in negative sentences. 'Some' is mostly used in affirmative/ positive sentences.

The correct sentence should be: He does not have any money to buy a new printing machine.

Use of 'Some' and 'Any'

'Some' is used as follows:

(i) With countable nouns where it means - little, a small quantity.
(ii) In a question which shows some respect.

e.g. There is some water in the bottle.

Will you have some milk?

Some of the students were absent yesterday.

Will you buy some fruit for me?

Note: Some is not used in negative sense but it can be used in questions of negative nature.

e.g. Didn't I give you some money yesterday?

Can't you spare some time for work?

'Any' is used as follows:

(i) In negative sentence
(ii) In interrogative sentence
(iii) After 'hardly, 'scarcely', 'barely', 'if'.

e.g. I have hardly any money.

Are there any boys in your school?