Sunday, 14 July 2013
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
List of Words Misused in English For Alphabet B
List of Words Misused in English ... Continued
18. Beneficial (Useful) : Exercise is beneficial for health.
Beneficent (well-wisher) : People chose a beneficent king to rule over them.
19. Bear (endure) : He could not bear such a heavy loss in his business.
Bare (not covered) : Do not go out in the sun with your head bare.
20. Bale (bundle) : He stole two bales of cotton.
Bail (security) : He was set free on bail.
21. Berth (a place to sleep) : I got reserved two berths in the train.
Birth (to bear ) : She did not know the place of her birth.
22. Bridal (relating to marriage) : She wore her bridal ring.
Bridle (rope to control an animal) : The rider took the bridle of the horse in his hand.
23. Beat (to give beating ) : Do not beat the poor animal.
Beet (a vegetable) : Beet is a vegetable and is used as food.
24. Brake (to stop a vehicle) : He applied brakes to stop the car.
Break (split into pieces) : The boy could not break the log of wood.
25. Beside (on the side ,near) : She sat beside her husband.
Besides (In addition to) : Besides students their parents also attended the meeting.
Check More Words on below Link :
Students are advised to comment, if they have any doubt about the article.
Learning tip : Practice makes a man perfect. Do revise these words.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
List of Words Misused in English For Alphabet A
A List of Words Misused in English --- ( in continuation of previous post)
11. Adopt (acquire) : The couple adopted an orphan child.
Adapt ( adjust, Familiarize) : She is trying to adapt herself to the new atmosphere.
Adept (able, skilled) : He is adept in the art of shooting.
12. Allusion (Indirect hint) : The official gave an allusion to involvement of some staff member in the scam.
Illusion (false impression) : The child under an illusion tries to catch image of moon in water.
13. Antique ( old,traditional) : He is fond of collecting antique items.
Antic (silly or amusing behavior) : His father felt ashamed at his antic gestures.
14. Aught (anything) : Has he to say aught against her?
Ought (should) : We ought to respect our elders.
15. Alternate (Vary,Every other) : I visit his house on alternate days.
Alternative (substitute) : He put forth an alternative to my proposal.
16. Aspire (desire) : He aspires to rise in his life.
Expire (end) : His leave expired on Sunday last.
17. Abstain (desist) : The doctor advised him to abstain from food for two days.
Refrain (avoid doing): Father advised his son to refrain from falling in bad company.
http://englishgrammarlesson.blogspot.in/2013/07/list-of-words-misused-in-english.htmlhttp://www.englishgrammarlesson.blogspot.in/2013/07/list-of-words-misused-in-english-for-Alphabet-B-for-exam-cat.html
To checkout Old List of Words Misused in English For Alphabet A, Check Below Link :
To checkout, List of Words Misused in English For Alphabet B, Check Below Link :
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List of Words Misused in English----Use of misused words in sentences.
There are many words in English which look alike but these have different meanings.
There is a great chance of being confused about these. These are often misused while using them in sentences.
Only by knowing the exact meaning of these words one can ensure their proper use in a sentence.
To exemplify, here are two sets of sentences.
In these sentences there are two words given in a bracket out of which ones is to be used in the given blank space. For making an appropriate application of the word in the sentence, there is a need to know the meaning of these two words and thereafter to differentiate between the two.
1. If you take an exercise daily, you are sure to………….(Loose/Lose) your weight.
2. He wears very …………….(Lose/Loose) clothes.
Meanings of Words:
1. Loose : Slack, Not tight.
2. Lose: to drop or to misplace
According to the meaning of words Lose is appropriate for sentence no. 1
and Loose for sentence no. 2.
These sentences will be :
1. If you take an exercise daily, you are sure to lose your weight.
2. He wears very loose clothes.
Here is another example.
1. By having a …………(closure/closer) look at them, I was able to differentiate between the two.
2. At the…………….(closer/closure) of the debate, Ram was winner.
Meanings of words:
1. Closure means end2. Closer means nearer.
According to meaning, Closer fits in sentence no.1 & Closure in no. 2.
These sentences will be :
1. By having a closer look at them, I was able to differentiate between the two.
2. At the closure of the debate, Ram was winner.
Below mentioned is a list of words which are often confused and are misused in forming sentences.
It is not exhaustive but a list of a few words explained and used in sentences in a simple way with a view to bring home the difference in words. Thereafter the same can be tried in exercises that follow.
1. Ail ( Sick) : The old man ails from a serious disease.
Ale ( Wine) : Taking ale is not good for health.
2. Alter ( To change) : They altered the date of meeting.
Altar ( Place of worship) : He offered flowers at the altar of the goddess.
3. Advise ( To counsel,Verb) : Doctor advised him to take rest.
Advice ( Counsel, Noun) : His father gave him a piece of advice.
4. Assent ( To agree) : The cabinet has given its assent to the bill.
Ascent ( Upward movement) : The assent up the hill is very steep.
5. Affect ( To feign) : The child affected tiredness.
Effect( To show result) : Hard work has shown effect on his health.
6. Accident ( Mishap) : He met with an accident.
Incident ( Happening) : This is a memorable incident in my life.
7. Assure ( To promise) : He assured me of his all help to me.
Insure ( To cover under insurance) : He insured his property against theft.
8. Amiable (cordial) : His manners are amiable.
Amicable (friendly) : The dispute ended with a amicable settlement between them.
9. Allow (To give consent) :The Principal allowed me to take examination.
Permit (To instruct) : Permit me to take your leave now.
10. Access (Approach) : He has no access to the official.
Excess (Surplus) : Excess of everything is bad.
To checkout Other Words Misused in English For Alphabet A, Check Below Link :
http://englishgrammarlesson.blogspot.in/2013/07/list-of-words-misused-in-english-for-Alphabet-A.htmlTo checkout, List of Words Misused in English For Alphabet B, Check Below Link :
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Thursday, 4 July 2013
CONVERSION FROM ONE TENSE TO OTHER --EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE
TENSE
CONVERSION -- TENSE USAGE
Test Exercise
Change the following sentences in the directed Tense form. (Write Your Answer In Comments Box)
1. His frail body enshrined a great spirit which all revere and admire or even worship.
(Present Indefinite Tense)
2. The digital transformation has set a new lifestyle for the common man.
(Past Indefinite Tense)
EXERCISES RELATING TO PROPER USAGE OF A VERB IN A SENTENCE.
EXERCISE NO. 1.
Use the given verb in the directed Tense form.
1. All the students of my class..........(go) to see the hockey match being played in the field.
(Past Perfect Tense)
(Present Perfect Tense)
3. While taking his morning cup of tea my father...............(read) the newspaper.
(Present Indefinite Tense)
4. People............ (decorate) their houses during festival season.
(Past Indefinite Tense)
5. She ............ (sit) next to her friend in the classroom. (Present Continuous Tense)
(ANSWERS)
1. All the students of my class..........(had gone) to see the hockey match being played in the field. (Past Perfect Tense)
(Present Perfect Tense)
3. While taking his morning cup of tea my father...............(reads) the newspaper.
(Present Indefinite Tense)
4. People..........(decorated) their houses during festival season.
(Past Indefinite Tense)
5. She ............ (is sitting) next to her friend in the classroom. (Present Continuous Tense)
EXERCISE NO 2.
Rewrite the following sentences in the directed Tense format.
1. The farmer goes to the fields early in the morning and comes back late in the evening.
(Past Tense)
2. A cool wind blew when I went out for a walk in the morning.
(Present Tense)
3. During my vacation I visited my parents to enquire about their welfare. (Future Indefinite Tense )
4. The lady caught sight of a small, round, and attractive thing gleaming on the table lying next to her. (Future Tense)
5. Children missed their grandparents very much and the very next day they took their way to their house. (Present Tense)
(ANSWERS)
Change of sentences in the directed Tense format.
1. The farmer went to the fields early in the morning and came back late in the evening.
(Past Tense)
2. A cool wind blows when I go out for a walk in the morning.
(Present Tense)
3. During my vacation I shall visit my parents to enquire about their welfare. (Future Indefinite Tense )
4. The lady will catch sight of a small round, and the attractive thing gleaming on the table lying next to her.
(Future Tense)
5. Children miss their grandparents very much and the very next day they make their way to their house. (Present Tense)
EXERCISE NO 3.
Rewrite the following sentences in the directed Tense format.
1. She narrated the whole incident to the audience in a soft but confident tone.
(Change into Present Continuous Tense)
2. Why had you not greeted the chief guest by garlanding?
(Change into Future Indefinite Tense)
3. How long did you live in this house?
(Change into Past Perfect Continuous Tense)
4. Both the wife and the husband are not on good terms for
some time.
(Change into Past Perfect Tense)
5. He went for lunch in the afternoon and returned after an hour.
( Present Indefinite Tense)
(ANSWERS)
1. She is narrating the whole incident to the audience in a soft but confident tone.
( Present Continuous Tense)
2. Why will you not greet the chief guest by garlanding?
( Future Indefinite Tense)
3. How long had you been living in this house?
(Past Perfect Continuous Tense)
4. Both the wife and the husband had not been on good terms for some time.
( Past Perfect Tense)
5. He goes for lunch in the afternoon and returns after an hour.
(Present Indefinite Tense)
EXERCISE
NO 4.
Change the given sentence into the directed Tense form
1, Flowers do not
wither when I keep them moist in water.
(Past Indefinite Tense)
2. Children went to their school but did not attend the class.
(Present
Indefinite Tense)
3. The leader insisted on the immediate release of the accused
but the authorities did not permit it. (Future
Indefinite Tense)
4. Shadows of trees went longer as we returned from fields
in the evening. (
Present Indefinite Tense)
5. Roads are damaged due to heavy rains and these
are being repaired. (Past Tense Format)
(ANSWERS)
Change of sentence into the directed Tense form
1, Flowers did not wither when I kept them moist in water.
(Past Indefinite Tense)
2. Children go to their school but do not attend the class. (Present Indefinite Tense)
3. The leader will insist on the immediate release of the accused but the authorities will not permit it. (Future Indefinite Tense)
4. Shadows of trees go longer as we return from fields in the evening. ( Present Indefinite Tense)
5. Roads were damaged due to heavy rains and these were being repaired. (Past Tense Format)
EXERCISE NO 5.
Change the following exclamatory sentences into Simple sentences.
1. How foolish of you to have behaved like this!
2.
What a bold fellow you are!
3.
How nice to see you here at this time!
4.
What a promising child it is!
5.
What a foolish question!
(ANSWERS)
Change from exclamatory sentences to Simple sentences.
1. It was very foolish of you to have behaved like this.
2. You are a very bold fellow.
3. It is very nice to see you here at this time.
4. It is a very promising child.
5. The question is very foolish.
EXERCISE NO 6.
Use the given verb in the directed Tense form.
Sometime back I .............(go)(Past Indefinite Tense) to a village to see one of my old friends. I ..............(board) (Past Indefinite Tense) a bus from bus stand and ...........(start) (Past Indefinite Tense) for the village. I .............( travel) (Past Indefinite Tense) for about two hours and ..........(reach) (Past Indefinite Tense) my destination. My friend ...........(wait) (Past Continuous Tense) for me at the bus stand. He......... (take)(Past Indefinite Tense) me to his house in his car. We both.............(study) (Past Perfect Tense) together in the school. I ..........(meet) (Past Indefinite Tense) all the members of his family. They ............(feel) (Past continuous Tense) very happy to see me with them. I ..........( stay) (Past Indefinite Tense) there for about one week. During this period I once..........(go) (Past Perfect Tense) a little unwell. He ............(take) (Past Indefinite Tense) me to the village dispensary for medicine. A lady doctor ..........(sit)(Past Continuous Tense) there. A large number of patients ..........(sit) (Past Continuous Tense) in two rows in front of her room. Men and women ........(sit) (Past continuous Tense) in separate rows. I ....(have) (Past Indefinite Tense) an amusing experience there. A young woman with her face veiled ........(sit) (Past Continuous Tense) in front of the doctor. She.......(ask) (Past Indefinite Tense) her name. She replied. Then she ....(ask) (Past Indefinite Tense) her if she was married. She ......(Reply)(Past Indefinite Tense) in affirmative. Then she .....(ask) (Past Indefinite Tense) her the name of her husband. She ......(blush) (Past Indefinite tense) only but ......(not speak) (Past Indefinite Tense). She .......(move) her finger forming a circle in the air. The doctor .........(not make out) anything out of it. A lady sitting behind her......... (tell) (Past Indefinite tense) the doctor that she..........(say) (Past Continuous Tense) 'moon' and it ...........(mean) (Past Indefinite Tense) that his name was Chander Parkash
Exercise No. 7.
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with verbs in Past Indefinite Tense form.
Once two friends ......... (go) to see the picture in a theatre. They both...... (stand) in a queue for half an hour to purchase tickets for themselves. At last, they..........(reach) the window. They ........ (be) stunned to read a notice written above the ticket window. Both of them........(talk) something with each other. They......... (decide) not to see the picture. They..........(move) away from there without seeing the movie. On reaching home all........ (enquire) from them why they .......... (return) without seeing the movie. Their reply ..............(surprise) but........... (delight) all. They ..,.....(say), "Persons under eighteen are not allowed to see, but we ........(be) only two."
Exercise No 8.
Change the following sentences into Future Continuous Tense.
A team of five members is investigating the case. It is trying to find out the truth. It is visiting the site of the case. It is trying to identify the culprit. It is contacting all the people residing in the vicinity. It is making inquiries from people from all walks of life. It is gathering as much information from the people as it can. It is also finding out persons responsible for the fault. It is recording statements of people reported to be involved in the case. It is making efforts to give its complete report without delay. Its report is going to bring all the facts of the case threadbare before the public.
Exercise No 9.
Change the following sentences into Present Perfect Tense.
A team of five members is investigating the case. It is trying to find out the truth. It is visiting the site of the case. It is trying to identify the culprit. It is contacting all the people residing in the vicinity. It is making inquiries from people from all walks of life. It is gathering as much information from the people as it can. It is also finding out persons responsible for the fault. It is recording statements of people reported to be involved in the case. It is making efforts to give its complete report without delay. Its report is going to bring all the facts of the case threadbare before the public.
Exercise No. 10.
Change the following Exclamatory form sentences into Simple sentences.
1. How beautiful her gait is!
2. What a smart action his is!
3. What beautiful weather it is!
4. How lovely the child is!
5. What a simple this sum is!
(ANSWERS)
EXERCISE NO 6.
Use the given verb in the directed Tense form.
Sometime back I went (go) (Past Indefinite Tense) to a village to see one of my old friends. I boarded..(board) (Past Indefinite Tense) a bus from bus stand and started. (start) (Past Indefinite Tense) for the village. I travelled ( travel) (Past Indefinite Tense) for about two hours and reached (reach) (Past Indefinite Tense) my destination. My friend waited. (wait) (Past Continuous Tense) for me at the bus stand. He took(take)(Past Indefinite Tense) me to his house in his car. We both. had studied(study) (Past Perfect Tense) together in the school. I met. (meet) (Past Indefinite Tense) all the members of his family. They were feeling (feel) (Past continuous Tense) very happy to see me with them. I stayed. ( stay) (Past Indefinite Tense) there for about one week. During this period I once went (go) (Past Perfect Tense) a little unwell. He took. (take) (Past Indefinite Tense) me to the village dispensary for medicine. A lady doctor was sitting. (sit)(Past Continuous Tense) there. A large number of patients were sitting (sit) (Past Continuous Tense) in two rows in front of her room. Men and women were sitting. (sit) (Past continuous Tense) in separate rows. I had (have) (Past Indefinite Tense) an amusing experience there. A young woman with her face veiled was sitting (sit) (Past Continuous Tense) in front of the doctor. The doctor asked(ask) (Past Indefinite Tense) her name. She replied. Then she asked (ask) (Past Indefinite Tense) her if she was married. She replied (reply)(Past Indefinite Tense) in affirmative. Then she asked (ask) (Past Indefinite Tense) her the name of her husband. She blushed. (blush) (Past Indefinite tense) only but did not speak (not speak) (Past Indefinite Tense). She moved (move) her finger forming a circle in the air. The doctor did not make out (not make out) (Past Indefinite tense )anything out of it. A lady sitting behind her told (tell) (Past Indefinite tense) the doctor that she was saying (say) (Past Continuous Tense) 'moon' and it meant (mean) (Past Indefinite Tense) that his name was Chander Parkash.
Exercise No. 7.
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with verbs in Past Indefinite Tense form.
Once two friends went (go) to see a picture in a theatre. They both stood (stand) in a queue for half an hour to purchase tickets for themselves. At last, they reached (reach) the window. They were (be) stunned to read a notice written above the ticket window. Both of them talked (talk) something with each other. They decided (decide) not to see the picture. They moved (move) away from there without seeing the movie. On reaching home all enquired (enquire) from them why they returned (return) without seeing the movie. Their reply surprise
(surprise) but
delighted (delight) all. They said (say) "Persons under eighteen are not allowed to see, but we were(be) only two."
Exercise No 8.
Change the following sentences into Future Continuous Tense.
A team of five members will be investigating the case. It will be trying to find out the truth. It will be visiting the site of the case. It will be trying to identify the culprit. It will be contacting all the people residing in the vicinity. It will be making inquiries from people from ale walks of life. It will be gathering as much information from the people as much as it can. It will be also finding out persons responsible for the fault. It will be recording statements of people reported to be involved in the case. It will be making efforts to give its complete report without delay. Its report will be bringing all the facts of the case threadbare before the public.
Exercise No 9.
Change the following sentences into Present Perfect Tense.
A team of five members has investigated the case. It has tried to find out the truth. It has visited the site of the case. It has tried to identify the culprit. It has contacted all the people residing in the vicinity. It has made inquiries from people from all walks of life. It has gathered as much information from the people as it could. It has also found out persons responsible for the fault. It has recorded statements of people reported to be involved in the case. It has made efforts to give its complete report without delay. Its report has brought all the facts of the case threadbare before the public.
Exercise No. 10.
Change the following Exclamatory sentences into Simple sentences.
1. Her gait is very beautiful.
2. His action is very smart.
3. The weather is very beautiful.
4. The child is very lovely.
5. The sum is very simple.
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
TENSE FORMATION SOME CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
SOME CONDITIONAL SENTENCES :
For revision sake here are some examples of conditional sentences.
Future Tense is used to express an action taking place in future time but in some sentences there are two actions one dependent on the other action.
In both the cases, action is to take place at some future time. But formation of these sentences is not necessarily to be done as per Future Tense.
1.It may be Present tense in both the sentences
For Example :
- If you go to the market, bring a bag for me.
Explanation:Action of both the verbs 'go' & 'bring' is to take place in future but in sentences present tense is used.
For Example :
- If you work hard, you may succeed.
Explanation :
Both the actions "work" and "succeed" are to take place in future time but in formation of sentence, we use present tense here.
If you meet him , convey my regards to him.
Action in respect of both the verbs 'meet' and 'convey' is to take place in future.
Present tense in one sentence taking place first and future tense in the second sentence is used.
For Example :
- If it rains tomorrow, I shall not go to school.
Explanation:
Here action of both the verbs 'rain' and'go' is to take place in future time but future tense in the main sentence and present tense in the other part is used.
For Example :
- As you sow so shall you reap.
In both the cases sow and reap action is to take place but tense of future tense in the main sentence and present in the other is used.
It will be wrong to write - If it will rain tomorrow I shall not go to office.
Here are some exercises relating to conditional sentences for practice.
It will be wrong to write - If it will rain tomorrow I shall not go to office.
Here are some exercises relating to conditional sentences for practice.
EXERCISE NO 1
Fill in the appropriate form of the given verb in the blank.
1. If you ............(request) him, he ...........(help) you.2. If he ...........(not work) hard, he ..........(fail) in the examination.
3. We .........(go) out for a picnic tomorrow if it ........(not rain).
4. Birds ..........(start) chirping when the sun ...........(rise) in the morning.
5. I .........(get) bored if I ..........(sit) idle.
EXERCISE NO 2
Fill in the appropriate form of the given verb in the blank.
1. I shall come even if it ..........(rain) tomorrow.
2. If you ........(come) to my house, I ..........(accompany) you.
3. If he ............(agree), I ...........(pay) him money.
4. You ..........(suffer) if you .........(not accept) his advice.
5. We ........(wear) woollen clothes, when it .......(be) cold.
EXERCISE No 3
Fill in the appropriate form of the given verb in the blank.
1. If you ............( not help) him, he ...........(ruin).
2. If you .........(go) out in cold you ...........(fall) ill.
3. If the patient .....(take) medicine regularly he ....... (recover) soon.
4. If he ...........(take) care of himself he ............(not fall) ill.
5.If it .........(rain) I ........... (not go) to office tomorrow.
Exercise No 4
Rewrite the following sentences after making correction wherever necessary.
1. When he will grow up he will become a doctor.
2. Players, when will not play, will take rest.
3. I fear when he will meet him he will narrate the whole incident to him.
4. The patient will not get cured if he will not take medicine regularly.
5. You will enjoy yourself If you will go out for a walk by river side.
EXERCISE NO. 5.
Fill in the blank in the following sentences with an appropriate given option.
1. If I had known you were coming,...................
a. I will stay at home.
b. I would stay at home.
c. I would have stayed at home.
2. What would you have done,....................
a. if you were attacked by a lion.
b. if you had been attacked by a lion.
c. if you would have been attacked by a lion.
3. If I weren't so busy,................
a. I would accompany you.
b. I'll accompany you.
c. I'd have accompany you.
4. If I were a millionaire,.........
a. I'll help the poor.
b. I'd have help the poor.
c. I would help the poor.
5. If it rains,.................
a. the match would have cancelled.
b. the match will be cancelled.
c. the match would be cancelled.
a. if you were attacked by a lion.
b. if you had been attacked by a lion.
c. if you would have been attacked by a lion.
3. If I weren't so busy,................
a. I would accompany you.
b. I'll accompany you.
c. I'd have accompany you.
4. If I were a millionaire,.........
a. I'll help the poor.
b. I'd have help the poor.
c. I would help the poor.
5. If it rains,.................
a. the match would have cancelled.
b. the match will be cancelled.
c. the match would be cancelled.
(ANSWERS)
EXERCISE NO 1
Fill in the appropriate form of the given verb in the blank.
1. If you request him, he will help you.2. If he does not work hard, he will fail in the examination.
3. We will go out for a picnic tomorrow if it does not rain.
4. Birds will start chirping when the sun rises in the morning.
5. I shall get bored if I sit idle.
OR
4. Birds start chirping when the sun rises in the morning.
5. I get bored if I sit idle.
EXERCISE NO 2
Fill in the appropriate form of the given verb in the blank.
1. I shall come even if it rains tomorrow.
2. If you come to my house, I shall accompany you.
3. If he agrees, I shall pay him money.
4. You will suffer if you do not accept his advice.
5. We shall wear woollen clothes, when it is cold.
EXERCISE No 3
Fill in the appropriate form of the given verb in the blank.
1. If you do not help him, he will ruin.
2. If you go out in cold you will fall ill.
3. If the patient takes medicine regularly he will recover soon.
4. If he takes care of himself he will not fall ill.
5.If it rains I shall not go to office tomorrow.
Exercise No 4
Rewrite the following sentences after making correction wherever necessary.
1. When he grows up he will become a doctor.
2. Players, when do not play, will take rest.
3. I fear when he meets him he will narrate the whole incident to him.
4. The patient will not get cured if he does not take medicine regularly.
5. You will enjoy yourself If you go out for a walk by river side.
EXERCISE NO 5.
1. c.
2. a.
3. a.
4. c
5. b.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Use of Tenses in sentence formation ------- Case of Conditional sentences
We make use of tenses in sentence formation. Tenses are of three types namely :
Present Tense, Past Tense & Future Tense.
Errors generally occur due to incorrect use of a tense in sentences. These can be avoided by understanding proper use of a tense and meaning of the sentence.
There are conditional sentences. Formation of which needs to be studied. These sentences are of three types:-
In First case although action is to take place in future but while writing a sentence we use present tense in both parts of the sentence. There is possibility that action may or may not take place in this case. For example-
If I go to Delhi, I shall bring a watch for you.
In this case both the actions are to take place in future time
but in making its sentence
we use present tense (present indefinite tense) in first part on which action of the second part depends
and in second part we use future tense(future indefinite tense).
Some Examples:
Unless you walk faster, you will be late.
If you do not work hard, you will not succeed.
If you finish your work in time, you will get a prize.
Unless you complete your work, I shall not allow you to leave.
Here action is to take place in future in both the cases but we donot use future tense in both parts of the sentence.
In these sentences, action may relate to present or future time.
In these sentences, action may relate to present or future time.
1. If action is to take place in present time, we use present tense in both the conditional as well as main parts of the sentence.
If I take stale food, I fall ill.
If a player gets a prize, it encourages him.
If water freezes, it turns into ice.
If I walk fast, I get tired.
If one takes exercise, one remains fit.
2. If action is to take place in future time, we use present tense in the conditional clause and future tense in main part of the sentence.
If I feel unwell, I shall call a doctor.
If I visit him, I shall remember you to him.
If I see you here again, I shall report to the principal.
If you continue to work with this company, you will certainly get a pay hike.
If the main part of the sentence contains order, request or instructions etc. the main part is changed to imperative sentence. e.g.
If you meet his parents, please pay my regards to them.
If he feels unwell, ask him to take medicine.
If she goes to market, tell her to bring fruit for me.
If action relates to past period, we use past tense in both the parts of the sentence. e.g.
As it rained, I did not go to my office.
If a dispute arose, our village panchayat decided the matter.
Until you provoked him, he remained silent.
As both of them failed to solve the dispute, they referred the case to police.
There is exception to this. In this case action has already taken place in the past but in the sentence we use past tense in the conditional part of the sentence and future tense in the main part. e.g.
Boys decided that if all went well they would play a match the next day.
The principal announced that if he stood first he would be awarded a prize by the school.
3. Sometimes action was to take place but it did not. For these sentences Past Future tense is used in the main part of the sentence. e.g.
a) For action supposed to be taking place in present time :
If I were in the chair, I would not allow this to happen.
If you were in the office, you would not do this.
If I were in Delhi, I would visit you.
b) For action supposed to be taking place in past time :
If I had enough money, I would have helped you.
If you had worked hard you would have passed.
For imaginary situations :
If I were a king I would have helped the poor.
What would you do if you encountered a ghost?
In these sentences in place of ' if ' , other words like 'Had' , 'Were' or 'Should' are also used. e.g.
If I were you, I would not have agreed to his proposal.
If you had worked hard you would have passed.
Had you worked hard you would have passed. (Past tense)
Should you work hard you would be successful. (Present tense).
ERRORS IN THE USE OF TENSES :
Sometimes sentences appear to be correct but grammatically they are not. e.g. following sentences.
I did not make up my mind yet.
I have painted this picture yesterday.
It started raining before we reached there.
He told me that he was living there for two years.
All the above sentences are incorrect though these do not appear to be. Besides these appear to convey some sense or meaning too to the reader.
Following are correct sentences :
I have not made up my mind yet.
I painted this picture yesterday.
It had started raining before we reached there.
He told me that he had been living there for two years.
1. Past Indefinite tense is used wrongly in place of Present Perfect tense :
He did not pay his dues yet.
He still did not agree to his father's proposal.
In these sentences Past indefinite tense is used but words like 'yet' and 'still' indicate that Past Perfect tense is required here.
He has not paid his dues yet.
He still has not agreed to his father's proposal.
2.Continuous tense is used wrongly in place of Perfect continuous tense.
He is living in this house from 1998.
She was doing this job for the last two years.
It will be raining from morning.
As these sentences depict time of action Perfect continuous tense and not simple continuous tense is to be used in these sentences.
He has been living in this house since 1998.
She had been doing this job for the last two years.
It will have been raining since morning.
3. Present Perfect Tense is used wrongly in place of Past indefinite Tense.
His father has started a new factory yesterday.
He has not attended the office last Monday.
She has not gone to the market yesterday.
He has passed his examination in first division.
She has married a doctor last month.
The patient has died an hour ago.
I have completed my task last evening.
We all had gone to see her yesterday.
I have applied for this job last Monday,
I had gone to see a movie yesterday.
The child has stopped crying just a moment ago
The words yesterday and last Monday depict action in the past. In these sentences Past indefinite tense instead of Present or Past Perfect tense is to be used. The sentences given above would have been correct if these did not have word yesterday or Last Monday.
His father started a new factory yesterday.
He did not attend the office last Monday.
She did not go to the market yesterday.
He passed his examination in first division.
She married a doctor last month.
The patient died an hour ago.
I completed my task last evening.
We all went to see her yesterday.
I applied for this job last Monday.
I went to see a movie yesterday.
The child stopped crying just a moment ago.
4. Past Perfect Tense is used wrongly in place of Past indefinite Tense.
He had painted a beautiful painting yesterday.
She had gone to market last Sunday.
The boys had gone to the cinema two days ago.
He had resigned from his service last April.
As action took place in the past, past indefinite tense will be used in these sentences.
He painted a beautiful picture yesterday.
She went to the market last Sunday.
The boys went to the cinema two days ago.
He resigned from his service last April.
4. Past Indefinite Tense is used wrongly in place of Past Perfect Tense.
It started raining when we reached home.
The patient died before the doctor came.
I finished my homework before she came.
Here first action has already been completed before the second started. For first part of the sentence Past Perfect tense is used.
It had started raining when we reached home.
The patient had died before the doctor came.
I had finished my home work before she came.
5 Future indefinite Tense is used wrongly in place of Future Perfect Tense.
I shall finish my work before you will arrive.
The labourer will complete his work before the sun will set.
I shall reach home before it will start raining.
Boys will reach their school before the bell will ring.
In this case, action in both the cases is to take place in future . One action will be over before the other starts. Instead of Future Indefinite tense in first part of the sentence Future Perfect tense will be used and in the second part of it, Present Indefinite tense is used.
I shall have finished my work before you arrive.
The labourer will have completed his work before the sun sets.
I shall have reached home before it starts raining.
Boys will have reached their school before the bell rings.
In examination the candidates are required to correct the given incorrect sentences due to errors of tenses.
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