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Having a good command of English is an essential thing. Be it any specific job or any gathering, we all are asked to speak, and the moment we speak incorrect English, the situation becomes very embarrassing. In this article, we will look at some exercises to check errors in verbs and errors in the usage of verbs. A number of exercises to check errors in verbs have been mentioned in this article. A sentence is left with no meaning the moment we commit mistakes. So always remember to have a habit of practising and improving spoken or written English. Without verbs, the sentence remains incomplete, so it becomes more important for all of us to have deep knowledge about the same.
Meaning of Verb:
A verb is a word used to describe an action, the state of being, as the words become, be or exist. There can not be a sentence without a verb. It will not be a complete sentence if verbs are not present there. Subjects are important for verbs. In both number and person, a verb must agree with its subject.
In any government exam or banking exam, spotting the error is an exercise to be done by students. Every aspirant must be able to spot the errors and correct them.
The verb’s Agreement with the subject
When using a verb, we must specify who or what is acting. The verb’s subject is ‘who or what.’ When the subject and verb are the same, they agree.
Singular verb: a singular verb should be used if the subject is a singular noun.
Example: She plays volleyball.
Plural verb: a plural verb is used if the subject is a plural noun.
Example: My sisters read a lot of books.
Some rules on error-spotting on verbs:
(Errors in the usage of verbs)
Rule 1.
Two auxiliaries can be used with one principal Verb only when the form of the principal verb is appropriate to both the auxiliaries.
Example:
The MD never has, and never will take such partial decisions – Wrong
The MD has never taken and never will take such partial decisions.
Rule 2.
If there are two subjects in a sentence with different numbers, both subjects should have their separate auxiliaries.
Example:
In the accident, three were injured, and one was killed – Wrong
In the accident, three were injured and one was killed – Right
Rule 3
For two subjects, one verb should be used only if the form of the verb is the same for both subjects. Otherwise, separate verbs should be used for each subject.
Example :
I am going to school and my sister’s home – Wrong.
I am going to school, and my sister is going home – Right.
Rule 4
When there are two principle verbs, auxiliary should be associated correctly.
Example :
Two hundred aspirants have cleared the mains, only one failed – Wrong
Two hundred aspirants have cleared the mains, only one has failed – Right
Rule 5
Past tense should follow a past tense in the main clause in the subordinates clause.
Example:
He won the match because he practices well – Wrong
He won the match because he practised well – Right.
Rule 6
The auxiliary verb “should” be used when the subordinates clause comes after “lest,” irrespective of the verb tense in the main clause.
Example:
Walk fast lest you shall miss the train – Wrong
Walk fast lest you should miss the train – Right
Rule 7
If ” need or dare” is followed by “not,” it becomes modal auxiliary. It takes a bare infinitive, and the plural form can not be used in that situation.
Example :
This needs not to be done – Wrong
This need not be done – Right
Rule 8
With the adverbs of past time, the past indefinite tense is used, not the present perfect tense.
Example:
I have done this work yesterday – Wrong
I did this work yesterday – Right
Rule 9
Modal auxiliaries are not used together. But two auxiliaries can be connected by a conjunction.
Example:
He should do it – Wrong
He should and must do it – Right
Rule 10
An adverb or adverbial phrase should not Come between ” to” and the “infinitive part of the verb”
Example:
I hoped to immediately reply to your letter – Wrong
I hoped to reply immediately to your letter – Right
Rule 11
Present perfect continuous tense should be used for the action that began in the past and continues.
Example:
How long are you eating this apple? – Wrong
How long have you been eating this apple? – Right
Conclusion:
The roots of any language are words, phrases, and sentences. When one of them is used incorrectly, it is an incomprehensible expression. It would be difficult to interpret such sentences, and the sentence’s meaning might be altered as a result.
As a result, we must fully understand the language’s roots to comprehend the written text and its expression. For that, we must know how to spot the errors on verbs. An Error Spotting Test assesses a candidate’s overall grasp of grammar and parts of speech.
