MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES 02

Dialog

Right, you. Pay attention. We're doing grammar today, and I expect you to actually learn something.

Oh, okay. I'll try my best. I really will.

You'd better. Let's start with this one. I'll give you a sentence, and you tell me if it's right.

Right. I understand.

Good. Now, for the first one, number 150. I'll say: Who of the two boys is the taller? Is that correct?

Who of the two boys? Hmm. It sounds a bit... odd, maybe? But I don't know why. Is it wrong?

Yes, it's wrong! Completely wrong. You need to use which when you're choosing one out of a small, definite number. So, it should be: Which of the two boys is the taller? Got it?

Oh, I see. Which, because there are only two. That makes sense. Thank you.

Don't thank me, just remember it. Honestly, sometimes I wonder how you even pass your English exams.

Okay, next one, 151 part (a). This is a tricky one, so concentrate. I'll say: Whom do you think will be chosen? Is that right?

Whom do you think will be chosen? Whom... I think that's right. Whom sounds more formal, for something important like choosing someone.

Wrong again! You really aren't trying, are you? When who is the subject of the action, you use who. In that sentence, it's who that 'will be chosen', so 'do you think' is just an extra bit. The correct sentence is: Who do you think will be chosen?

Oh, right. So, 'who' is the one doing the 'being chosen'. I always get those mixed up.

Yes, you do. It's not that hard if you just think about it properly. But you always rush.

Fine, let's try the other part of 151, part (b). I'll say: Who do you think I saw yesterday? Is that one correct?

Who do you think I saw yesterday? Hmm. This time, 'I' saw someone. So 'who' is the object of 'saw'. So... it should be whom? So it's wrong?

Ha! You actually got that right. It's 'Whom do you think I saw yesterday?' because 'whom' is the object, the one being seen. See, you can do it when you actually put your mind to it. I knew you weren't completely hopeless.

Oh, thank you! I did try really hard on that one.

Don't get ahead of yourself. It was just one.

Right, 152. This is an important one for good writing. Listen: One should take care of his health. Is that correct?

One should take care of his health. Yes, that sounds perfectly fine to me. Why wouldn't it be?

Oh, for goodness sake! When you use the indefinite pronoun one, you have to follow it with one's, not his. So it's 'One should take care of one's health'. It's about consistency, you know?

Oh, right. So 'one' and 'one's' go together. Like 'I' and 'my'.

Exactly. Though, it's often better to just say 'A person should take care of their health' or 'A boy should take care of his health' to make it simpler. But for now, remember 'one's'.

Next, 153 part (a). This is about each other and one another. I'll say: These two boys help one another. Correct or incorrect?

These two boys help one another. If it's two boys, then it should be 'each other', shouldn't it? So, that's incorrect.

Precisely! Each other is for two people, and one another is for more than two. So it should be 'These two boys help each other.' You're finally getting the hang of some of these, aren't you?

I think so. It's less confusing when you explain it.

Well, I do try to explain things clearly. Not that you always listen.

Still on 153, part (b). What about this: These three boys help each other. Correct?

Three boys... so it should be 'one another'. So 'each other' is wrong.

Spot on! See? You're actually learning. It should be 'These three boys help one another.' That's two correct answers in a row. Maybe you're not entirely useless after all.

Really? I feel a bit better now.

Don't get cocky. There's still loads more to go.

154. This one is super simple, honestly. Don't overthink it. Is this correct: Please give me one other book.

Please give me one other book. I hear people say that sometimes. So... correct?

No! It's never 'one other book'! It's just 'Please give me another book.' Another means 'an other' all in one word. It sounds much better, doesn't it?

Oh, it does sound more natural, yes. I just never thought about it like that.

Well, that's why I'm here, isn't it? To make you think.

Right, 155. Comparisons. Listen: John is the tallest of the two boys. Is that right?

The tallest of the two? If there are only two, you don't say 'tallest', you say 'taller', right? So it's wrong.

Absolutely correct! When you're comparing just two things, you use the comparative form, which is 'taller'. The superlative 'tallest' is for more than two. Well done, you.

I remembered that one from last term.

Good. At least some of it sticks in that head of yours.

Now, 156. Another comparison one. I'll say: John is taller from his brother. Is that correct?

Taller from his brother? No, that sounds definitely wrong. You say 'taller than his brother', don't you? So it's wrong.

Exactly! You always use than after a comparative adjective like 'taller'. Never 'from'. You actually got that one really quickly. Impressive.

Thanks! It just didn't sound right at all.

That's a start. Trust your ear sometimes, but check with the rules.

157. Back to comparative versus superlative. Is this sentence correct: Cairo is the larger city in Africa.

Cairo is the larger city in Africa. Africa has lots of cities, not just two. So it should be 'largest'. So it's wrong.

Yes, that's completely wrong! If you're talking about more than two things, or a whole group like all cities in Africa, you use the superlative. So it should be 'Cairo is the largest city in Africa.' Good job for catching that. You're actually doing quite well today, considering.

I am? I'm trying my hardest.

I know. Don't stop now.

158. Don't mess this up. Is this correct: The more people will agree with me.

The more people... I think that's how you say it, isn't it? Like, 'the more, the merrier'? So, yes, correct.

Oh, you really messed that up! 'The more' isn't what we use here. When you mean 'the majority of people', you say most people. So it's 'Most people will agree with me.' 'The more, the merrier' is a different idiom entirely. You got confused.

Oh dear. I knew I'd get some wrong.

Don't look so down about it. Just remember, 'most' for the majority.

159. This is another basic one you should know. Is this correct: This one looks more good than that.

More good? No, that sounds very wrong. It should be 'better', shouldn't it? So, wrong.

Correct! Finally, some common sense. We don't say 'more good' or 'more bad'. We use better and worse for comparisons. You know, good, better, best. Bad, worse, worst. Basic stuff!

Yes, I do know that really. I just sometimes forget under pressure.

Just try to remember. It makes you sound... well, smarter. Which is good. For you.

160. This is a common mistake. I'll say: In the afternoon I stay home. Is that right?

Stay home? I think that's what I say sometimes. So, correct.

Wrong! You don't 'stay home' when you mean you're in the house. You say 'I stay at home.' You only use 'home' by itself if you're talking about going somewhere, like 'go home'. Get it?

Oh, I see. 'At home' for being inside the house. That's a tricky one.

Only if you're not paying attention. But I suppose you're doing your best.

Right, 161. Pay attention to this preposition. Is this correct: She is from the best girls I know.

From the best girls? That sounds... okay? Like she comes from a group. So, correct.

No, no, no! That's not how we say it. If she's one of them, you say 'She is one of the best girls I know.' Or 'among the best girls'. You don't use 'from' in that way when you mean she belongs to a group.

Oh, I see. 'One of' makes more sense. I'll try to remember that.

Good. Because you actually need to learn this stuff for your essays.

Last one, 162. Let's see if you can finish strong. Is this correct: English is not easy to be learnt.

English is not easy to be learnt. 'To be learnt'... that sounds a bit too much. I think it should just be 'to learn'. So, it's wrong.

You got it! You finished with a correct answer! You use the active infinitive, 'to learn', not 'to be learnt'. Well done, you. You didn't completely mess it up.

Thank you! I actually feel a bit proud now.

Don't get carried away. Just remember what I taught you. And don't tell anyone I said you did well. It'll ruin my reputation. But... you actually did alright today. For you.

Summary

• 150. Using "who?" or "what?" instead of "which?" Use "which?" for choosing one out of a definite number.
• 151. Who? and Whom? (a) Use "who" when it's the subject of the action. (b) Use "whom" when it's the object of the action.
• 152. Using "his" as an indefinite pronoun. "One" must be followed by "one's".
• 153. Each other and One another. "Each other" for two people, "one another" for more than two.
• 154. Using "one other" instead of "another." Use "another" which means "an other".
• 155. Using the superlative instead of the comparative. Use the comparative for two persons or things.
• 156. Using "from" after the comparative instead of "than." Use "than" after comparative adjectives.
• 157. Using the comparative instead of the superlative. Use the superlative for more than two persons or things.
• 158. Using "the more" instead of "most." Use "most" to mean "majority of."
• 159. Using "more good" or "more bad" instead of "better" or "worse." Use "better" or "worse" for comparison.
• 160. Using "home" instead of "at home." Use "at home" to mean "in the house."
• 161. Using "from" instead of "one of" or "among." Avoid "from" in the sense of "one of" or "among."
• 162. Using the passive infinitive instead of the active. Use the active infinitive (e.g., "to learn") after "easy."

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p32 - p34