ERROR SPOTTING
Usage of Indefinite Pronoun in sentences.
An Indefinite Pronoun is used in a sentence in place of a Noun as Subject or object. When a doer or a receiver or in other words a Subject or an Object is not certain, an Indefinite Pronoun is used. An indefinite Pronoun refers to persons or things in a general way.
For example :
Anybody can do this work.
Everybody is ready to go there.
Someone has picked his pocket.
All were happy in the party.
Always do good to others.
In these sentences, the words Anybody, Everybody, Someone, All, and others are examples of Indefinite Pronoun. These are Pronouns but do not represent any definite person or thing.
Some points to be noted in case of Indefinite Pronouns :
- One is used as singular and it is followed by one's and not his or her.
One should do one's duty.
- Each, Either and Neither when used as Pronoun are followed by singular verb.
Each of them was happy there.
Neither of the two is fit for this job.
- either and neither are used for two things or persons.
- Any one refers to more than two persons or things.
Any one of the four friends is expected to take part.
Neither of the two brothers is at fault.
You can have either of the two shirts.
- None is used both as singular and plural
None but fools have faith in these things.
Have you any news for me? There was none for you.
Did you bring any fruit? There was none in the market.
- Each other is used for two persons or things but One another is used for more than two persons or things.
Both the sisters love each other.
They are quarrelling with one another.
Here are some sentences for Practice:
1. Someone is knocking at the door.
2. Either of the two brothers is at fault.
3. None of them has any information.
4. Some were very helpful.
5. Each of them is ready to accompany us.
In competition examinations there are questions with incorrect usage of Indefinite Pronouns in sentences. The error in sentences is required to be located and rectified.
Generally in examination questions these mistakes relate to --
1. Indefinite Pronoun itself
2. Verb used with an Indefinite Pronoun.
3. Question tag in the sentence.
For example:
1. One should obey his parents.
2. Everyone student present there deposited his fee.
3. Everybody will attend the party, won't he?
4. Everything was in order, weren't they?
(All these three sentences are incorrect.)
(Explanation:)
1. One is followed by one's.
One should obey one's parents.
2. Everyone is a Pronoun, Student a Noun.
A Pronoun cannot describe a Noun. It should be either -
Every student present there deposited his fee.
Every is adjective and student is a noun.
OR
Everyone present there deposited his fee.
Everyone is a Pronoun and Subject here.
3. For living things plural question tag is used.
Everyone will attend the party, won't they?
4. Everything was in order, wasn't it?
SENTENCES FOR PRACTICE
RECTIFY THE ERROR IF THERE IS ANY IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1. When the inspector entered the room, he found everybody in his place and doing their job silently and peacefully.
2.Everybody who wants to live in this society with one's head high will certainly try that such things do not happen and nobody dares to level any charge against him.
3.The authorities are pressing all of you hard to accept their terms and conditions but each one of you will have to take his own decision whether to accept those or not.
4. A majority of the plants grown on either sides of the road were laden with flowers of different colours.
5. Neither of the two sisters nor her mother was willing to part with money but they had to take this decision for the sake of one of their family friend.
ANSWERS
1. There is a hint about answer in the sentence itself.
"......everybody in his place ......."
So it should be....
"........doing his job......"
2. Everybody takes "his" with it so it should be "with his head high".
3. In this sentence subject is "You" , so its possessive should be "your" in stead of "his".
4. ".....on either side of the ....."
5. "........one of their family friends".
CONTD.
No comments:
Post a Comment