EDITING IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR -- ERROR SPOTTING , OMISSIONS - MISSING WORDS - CORRECTING IN A SENTENCE OR PARAGRAPH

Editing in English Grammar 
- Error Spotting - Omissions - Missing words - Correcting 

A writer writes about what he thinks or observes around himself. First he accumulates all this in his mind and then he puts it  down in writing through an appropriate medium i.e. language or words. This all is an spotaneous and continuous process. Further it is written too with a similar pace. In the process of writing sometimes the writer thinks certain words in his mind but skips those while writing and all this goes unnoticed. This is called omission of words which requires correction for a correct and complete final form of writing. This correcting of omitted words also forms a part of Editing in English Grammar. To understand it better here is a sentence.

Editing is generally during proof reading.

By a casual reading one gets the idea what the writer wants to convey in this sentence but reading it carefully  it becomes clear that there is something missing in the sentence. The main verb in this sentence is missing. So the correct form of the sentence will be as under.

Editing is generally done during proof reading.

In an examination a short text with one omission in each line is given. A candidate is required to find out and provide the words, a clause or a phrase missing in the given sentence or paragraph. Numbered blanks are provided with each line for writing the corrected word. The missing word is to be written with the words prior to it and after it. In the sentence written above it will be -

generally - done - during

In such cases, generally, omission of following types of words are observed.These are to be kept in mind while attempting these questions.

First of all there are omissions relating to tenses or verb forms which are to be noticed and corrected. Auxiliary verbs or modals are not written or are incomplete.

In many cases there are omissions of prepositions in these sentences. Proper preposition is required to be used in the sentence.

Sometimes articles or determiners are missing in the sentences. These are to be identified and provided in the sentence. Similarly conjunctions too are wanting and are required to provided in the sentences.

In certain cases proper pronouns are not used in the sentences. These are required to be corrected.

In certain cases number of nouns is also not used correctly. These also require to be checked and corrected. 

For this purpose a fair good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar is essential. The very first reading of draft or manuscript gives an idea of missing links between different parts of the text. So reading time and again makes the omissions clearer to the reader.

First of all read the complete passage or text to understand the purpose of writing of the writer. This will also give first hand assessment about style and language used.

Try to understand the use of tense in the passage. See that appropriate tense is used in all the sentences. For this subject and verb relation  is to be checked and corrected where it is incorrect.

 Sometimes modals or main verbs are not used correctly. Either of these two is sometimes missing in sentences.

Here under are some exercises of omissions for practice.

ONE

The following sentences have not been edited. There is one error of omission in each sentence. Point out the error, write the missing word with words prior or after omission. Underline the word you have supplied. One is done as an example.

1. Both sisters  exceedingly     
       sisters are exceedingly

intelligent but the younger  beautiful than the elder .





2. In her room a candle
      a candle was
 burning dimly the table and

 she was sitting alone the

 chair looking the wall.



3. Time is precious than
more precious  

money. It said that Money 

 lost can regained but time

once lost can't recalled.





SOLUTION 




1. Both sisters  exceedingly     

       sisters are exceedingly

intelligent but the younger is more

beautiful than the elder one.


2. In her room a candle
       was
 burning dimly on the table and

 she was sitting alone in the

 chair looking at the wall.



3. Time is more precious than
more precious  

money. It is said that Money 

 lost can be regained but time

once lost can't be recalled.



TWO


The following sentences have not been edited. There is one error of omission in each sentence. Point out the error, write the missing word with words prior or after omission. Underline the word you have supplied. One is done as an example.

One day during  last week I 

 my friends was travelling 

by a car. After we covered a 

little distance when heard a 

great noise  the road side. We 

saw that many people  gathered 

near  big building. They were moving 

here and there in confusion. Some 

them  shouting loudly. We stopped

our car and went  that place. We

saw that the building was fire. Many 

persons were stranded  the building. 

A fire fighting engine  standing there 

and firemen were trying  douse the fire 

but they were not able to control. 

 A large number  flames coming out

 of the building were flying high  

 sky. People standing there told me 

 that a rubber factory and the building

 caught fire due electric short circuiting.

 The firemen with  help of local people

 were able to draw  a large number of

 labourers stuck  the factory. The 

 site presenting a very heart rending

 scene. We felt very sad see all this.

SOLUTION

One day during the last week I 
with my friends was travelling 
by a car. After we had covered a 
little distance when we heard a 
great noise on the road side. We 
saw that many people were gathered 
near a big building. They were moving 
here and there in confusion. Some of
them were shouting loudly. We stopped
our car and went near that place. We
saw that the building was on fire. Many 
persons were stranded inside the building. 
A fire fighting engine was standing there 
and firemen were trying to douse the fire 
but they were not able to control it.
 A large number of flames coming out
 of the building were flying high towards 
 sky. People standing there told me that

 that was a rubber factory and the building

 caught fire due to electric short circuiting.
 The firemen with the help of local people
 were able to draw out a large number of
 labourers stuck inside the factory. The 
 site was presenting a very heart rending
 scene. We felt very sad to see all this.

THREE


The following sentences have not been edited. There is one error of omission in each sentence. Point out the error, write the missing word with words prior or after omission. Underline the word you have supplied. One is done as an example.

The food we consume daily    
daily is
converted  glucose, which
fuels the cells  the body. The
excess glucose in the system 
stored in the form  fat. Insulin,
a hormone made  the pancreas,
is a shuttle  the glucose in the
system. If the system  excess
 glucose,  insulin production
goes . If one regularly binges
eat then the body ends  
requiring more insulin  shuttle
the glucose  cells. this is 
referred  pre-diabetes or
insulin resistance. One need
then few healthy dietary 
changes  lifestyle modifications
 help prevent the onset 

 pre-diabetes or control diabetes.

SOLUTION

The food we consume daily is

converted into glucose, which

fuels the cells in the body. The

excess glucose in the system is 

stored in the form of fat. Insulin,

a hormone made by the pancreas,

is a shuttle for the glucose in the

system. If the system has excess

 glucose, the insulin production

goes up. If one regularly binges

eat then the body ends up 

requiring more insulin to shuttle

the glucose to cells. this is 

referred as pre-diabetes or

insulin resistance. One needs

then a few healthy dietary 

changes and lifestyle modifications

that help prevent the onset 

of pre-diabetes or control diabetes.

FOUR

The following sentences have not been edited. There is one error of omission in each sentence. Point out the error, write the missing word with words prior or after omission. Underline the word you have supplied. One is done as an example.

Way information technology 
 and artificial intelligence are 
influencing society, the human teacher 
be replaced by mechanical teachers 
future. Children  learn individually
 home sans school, sans human teachers.
" It is difficult to say what  impossible 
for the dream  yesterday is the
 hope of today and  reality of 
tomorrow. " says  educationist. If
learning was to  only about acquiring 
information , robot or tele-teacher 
would be the right choice but  educate 
a person meant only  stuff him or her
 facts or figures. " Education is
not filling  a pail but the lighting 
 a fire." says W.B. Yeats. One
wonders  a machine will be able
to light a fire  the young hearts.
Devoid  human warmth and 
emotions,  the electronic educator
ever be able to establish  emotional

bond between  teacher and students









SOLUTION

The way information technology 
 and artificial intelligence are influencing
influencing society, the human teacher will 
be replaced by mechanical teachers in
future. Children will learn individually
at home sans school, sans human teachers.
" It is difficult to say what is impossible 
for the dream of yesterday is the
 hope of today and the reality of 
tomorrow. " says an educationist. If
learning was to be only about acquiring 
information , a robot or tele-teacher 
would be the right choice but to educate 
a person meant only to stuff him or her
with facts or figures. " Education is
not filling of a pail but the lighting 
of a fire." says W.B. Yeats. One
wonders if a machine will be able
to light a fire in the young hearts.
Devoid of human warmth and 
emotions, will the electronic educator
ever be able to establish an emotional
bond between a teacher and students.

FIVE

In the following sentences there are errors of omission, spellings and grammar. Spot the errors and correct them. Write the incorrect and correct word and underline the correct word.

During the morning prayer, I standing in the first row. But I had lost in my thoughts all the time. My teacher notice this but did not pointed out it to me.  As the prayer over, I along  other students moved to the class room. I did not felt like studying through out the day. The thought of mine friend occupied my mind all the day. I was thinking that my friend will not be coming to school no more. His name was struck of from the rolls of the school as he did not paid his school fee. The principle had announce this in the school. My friend's father was a employee in an factory. That factory laid of staff and his father had lost his services. As his father could not paid his fee in the school, he  extricated from the school. When I reach home in the evening, I narrated the incident  my father.My father asked me how my friend is in his studies. I told him that my friend always had top in the class. My father decide to pay all the dues of my friend in the school. He pay me the amount and send me to his house. I felt very happy that my friend had be able  continue his studies.

SOLUTION

During the morning prayer, I was standing in the first row. But I was lost in my thoughts all the time. My teacher noticed this but did not point out it to me.  As the prayer was over, I along with other students moved to the class room. I did not feel like studying through out the day. The thought of my friend occupied my mind all the day. I was thinking that my friend would not be coming to school anymore.His name was struck off from the rolls of the school as he had not paid his school fee. The principal had announced this in the school. My friend's father was an employee in a factory. That factory laid off staff and his father had lost his service. As his father could not pay his fee in the school, he was extricated from the school. When I reached home in the evening, I narrated the incident to my father. My father asked me how my friend was in his studies. I told him that my friend always had topped in the class. My father decided to pay all the dues of my friend in the school. He paid me the amount and sent me to his house. I felt very happy that my friend would be able to continue his studies .

EDITING IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR -- ERROR SPOTTING , CORRECTING ERRORS AND PUNCTUATING A SENTENCE OR PARAGRAPH

English Grammar Editing 
- Error Spotting, Correcting And Punctuating.

Editing  starts with the inception of thoughts about writing in writer's mind. The writer first of all forms a thought in his mind to write something and then translates that idea into sentences to bring it on paper. But consciously or  unconsciously he then  starts thinking  of writing it in a better way. Thus in a way editing starts when writing itself starts. By the time the thoughts or concepts in the writer's mind come into a written form they already have undergone the process of editing.

Generally a writer notes down what comes to his mind about the topic. He  goes through it and rethinks about the concept. He brings a better version of it in his mind and puts it down by correcting or improving the previous written- version. What a writer writes in the first go is called a draft. The writer  reads this draft again and it may go for a number of times. He, during this process, goes on improving the version of his writing. This is called on-going editing.  

For editing a given draft sentence or paragraph, one has to know what the writer thought while writing. His thoughts should synchronize with those of the writer. One should also know the way of presentation of thoughts required by the writer. Only then a writing can be edited.

A writing involves use of words and phrases in the way as the writer wants to impress upon the reader. So a  proper use of language and words is very essential to know while editing a writing. Vocabulary is the key ingredient required for editing. A complete knowledge about the subject or topic and its terminology is very essential for editing.    

Before editing one should read and re-read the given sentence or paragraph to bring home the basic idea contained in it from the point of view of the writer.

For the purpose of the examination certain key points are necessary to know while editing  a given passage or a sentence. It is essential to know about the subject and the language used in the passage. One should try to understand the idea contained in the passage and the meaning of the words used in it.

First of all  a casual reading from beginning to the end of the paragraph should be given. This gives a sketchy idea of the subject matter. To make the idea clearer the passage be read again until it is well understood. Locate difficult words and know their meanings. If a word is not clear try to know its meaning by linking it with other words and find out the underneath thought meant to be conveyed by the writer. Make sure that appropriate words are used according to the subject contained in the passage. Sometimes similar words with different meanings are used to confuse the candidates. Replace such words with the correct words. Punctuate the passage as and wherever required. After making corrections read the passage again and try to note if there is still any amendment or improvement required in it. Vocabulary is the main tool that helps in the process. Besides practice paves the way for an effective form of editing.  

To sum up steps for editing English Grammar

• Good Command over English Language.
• Know Purpose of Editing.
• Knowledge of style of Editing.
• Proper grasping of the subject.
• Thorough Reading
• Spotting of Errors

Here follow some exercises for practice of candidates. 

ONE

The following sentences have not been edited. There is one error  in each sentence. Point out the error, write the incorrect word and the correction against each sentence. Underline the word you have supplied. One is done as an example.

1. His house is far from my.                           my - mine.

2. She told her mother that 
    she will not be able to visit her uncle that day.
   
3. He will not go to the office if it will rain tomorrow.
     

4. The reason why he failed 
     is that he did not work hard.

5. I as well as my brother is
     at fault.

6. He has left this house yesterday.

7. The teacher forbade the students not to disturb him.
    
8. He put me out with a lame excuse.

9. She and her  younger brother enjoyed himself in
our company.

10. The patient is too weak that he cannot walk even.
      

SOLUTION

1. His house is far from my.	my - mine
2. She told her mother that      she will not be able to visit      her uncle that day.	Will - would
3. He will not go to the office      if  it will rain tomorrow.	Will rain - rains
4. The reason why he failed       is that he did not work hard	Why - that
5. I as well as my brother is      at fault.	Is -am
6. He has left this house yesterday.	has left - left
7. The teacher forbade the students not to disturb him.	not to - to
8. He put me out with a lame excuse.	Put me out- put me off
9. She and her  younger brother      enjoyed himself in our          company.	Himself - themselves
10. The patient is too weak that       He cannot walk even.	Too - so

TWO

The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error  in each line. Write the incorrect words and the correction against the correct question number. Underline the word you have supplied. One is done as an example.

 Once a king rules in a state. The king      rules in - ruled over 

was very cheerful and his queen always        

remained very sad. She always remain          

in a pensive mood most sitting in her            

chamber. This made the king worry and

he tried to find out the reason for her

sadness. The queen's maids also attempt

to make her happy but no avail. The

king made a announcement in his state

that he will give a huge amount as a prize

to the person who make the queen happy.

Many people came and try but none 

was successful. One day a sage came by

the king and told him that he wants to 

try  make the queen happy. The king gave

to him his permission. The sage brought

a number of small children with himself.

As the queen saw those children she start

playing with theirs. She spent a lot of

time with them. She felt very happy with

their accompany. She did not want to 

leave them. This gave immense enjoy to

both the king and queen because they

had no issues of their own. The king 

thank the sage and gave him a lot of 

money as reward to his act.

SOLUTION

Once a king rules in a state. The king	Rules in  -  ruled over
was very cheerful and his queen always	And -but
remained very sad. She always remain	Remain- remained
in a pensive mood most sitting in her	Most - mostly
chamber. This made the king worry and	Worry - worried
he tried to find out the reason for her	For - of
sadness. The queen's maids also attempt	Attempt - attempted
to make her happy but no avail. The	no avail – to no avail
king made a announcement in his state	A - an
that he will give a huge amount as a prize	Will - would
to the person who make the queen happy	Make - made
Many people came and try but none	try - tried
was successful. One day a sage came by	By - to
the king and told him that he wants to	Wants -wanted
try  make the queen happy. The king gave	Make - to make
to him his permission. The sage brought	to him - him
a number of small children with himself. As the queen saw those children she start	himself - him start - started
playing with theirs. She spent a lot of	Theirs - them
time with them. She felt very happy with	With -in
their accompany. She did not want to	Accompany - company
leave them. This gave immense enjoy to .	Enjoy - joy
both the king and queen because they	And queen – the queen
had no issues of their own. The king	Issues - issue
thank the sage and gave him a lot of	Thank - thanked
money as reward to his act.	To - for

THREE

The following sentences have not been edited. Each line contains  one error . Spot the error, write the incorrect words and the correction against the correct question number. One is done as an example.

Elimination for child labour is undoubtedly   for -of
one of the biggest challenge facing our 
country. Various article of the constitution
prohibits  the employment of children in
factories. Under Article 24, it has stated
that no child below the ages of fourteen
shall be employed in any factory.Once 
a person asked a miner boy working 
in a factory why he works there
 and if he does not know that law
 does not permit that. He politely
 replied that he not knows laws
 but he knew that he works
because he needs money. 
His father does not have money 
enough to run family expenditure.

SOLUTION

Elimination of child labour is undoubtedly           for -of

one of the biggest challenges facing our

 country. Various articles of the constitution

prohibit  the employment of children in 

factories. Under Article 24, it has been stated

that no child below the age of fourteen

will be employed in any factory. Once 

a person asked a minor boy working 

in a factory why he worked there

 and if he did not know that law

 did not permit that. He politely

 replied that he did not know laws

 but he knew that he worked

because he needed money. 

His father did not have money 

enough to run family expenses.

FOUR

The following sentences have not been edited. Each line contains  one error . Spot the error, write the incorrect words and the correction against the correct question number. One is done as an example.

There lived a old woman in                             a- an

a small village. She lived lonely

at her house. Her children lived

separate in a nearby city after

she lose her husband a couple

of year ago. She earned her

livelihood from doing odd

domestic jobs in people

houses. She was content for

her lot. She had been always

very cheerful. She is always

went for the village temple

daily in the morning everyday.

 She never demand 

nothing from God. One day

the temple preest asked her

why she comes to the temple

daily. She replied that she comes

to telling the God that His

selection is excellent when He

selects her for His all favours.

She came to thanks God also.

SOLUTION




There lived an old woman

 in a small village. She lived alone 

in her house. Her children lived  

separately in a nearby city after 

she  lost her husband a couple 

of years ago. She earned her

 livelihood by doing odd 

domestic jobs in people's 

houses. She was content with 

her lot. She was always 

very cheerful. She is  always

 went to the village temple 

daily in the morning everyday. 

She never demanded 

anything from God. One day 

the temple priest asked her 

why she came to the temple 

daily. She replied that she came

 to tell the God that His

 selection was excellent when He 

selected her for His all favours. 

She came to thank Him also.