COMMON ERRORS IN ENGLISH (Pronouns)

COMMON ERRORS IN ENGLISH (Pronouns)

1.(X)He bought a radio for Rs.250 and sold the same at a handsome profit.

  (V)He bought a radio for Rs.250 and sold it at a handsome profit.

  (Expl.)There is a common tendency to use this superfluous expression, ‘the

same’, where the pronoun ‘it’ would be more suitable. Avoid writing

‘I enclose a cheque for Rs.175, please acknowledge receipt of the

same’.

2.(X)My sister and myself are pleased to accept your invitation to dinner.

    (V)My sister and I are pleased to accept your invitation to dinner.

   (Expl.)Where no particular emphasis is intended, use the simple pronouns

‘he, you, I’.

Note, for instance, ‘I myself was to blame for the accident’, or,

reflexively, as ‘The child hurt itself’.

3.(X)The visitors enjoyed during their brief stay in Hyderabad.

(V)The visitors enjoyed themselves during their brief stay in Hyderabad.

(Expl.)‘Enjoy’ is a transitive verb, it must therefore be accompanied by an

object, which may be a noun or a reflexive pronoun.

4.(X)I shall avail of this opportunity to meet you there.

(V)I shall avail myself of this opportunity to meet you there.

(Expl.)The verb ‘avail’ must here be followed by a reflexive pronoun.

5.(X)My children cannot endure my separation.

 (V)My children cannot endure separation from me.

 (Expl.)It is not ‘someone’s separations but ‘separation from someone’.