Errors in Usage - Part 1/2

This section of our course will review those errors most commonly presented in the CPE and teach you what to look for. We will not review here the basic rules of grammar, such as the formation and use of the different tenses and the passive voice, the subjective and objective cases of pronouns, the position of adjectives and adverbs, and the like. We assume that a candidate for the CPE is familiar with basic grammar, and we will concentrate on error recognition based on that knowledge.

1. Errors in connectors

There are several ways of connecting ideas. Do not mix the different forms:

INCORRECT

She speaks not only Spanish but French as well.

CORRECT

She speaks Spanish and French.

CORRECT

She speaks Spanish. She also speaks French.

CORRECT

She speaks Spanish and French too.

CORRECT

She speaks not only Spanish but also French.

CORRECT

She speaks both Spanish and French.

CORRECT

She speaks Spanish as well as French.

2. Errors in question word connectors

When a question word such as when or what is used as a connector, the clause that follows is not a question. Do not use the interrogative form.

INCORRECT

Do you know when does the movie start?

CORRECT

Do you know when the movie starts?

INCORRECT

I don't know what is his name.

CORRECT

I don't know what his name is.

INCORRECT

Did he tell you why hasn't he come yet?

CORRECT

Did he tell you why he hasn't come yet?

3. Errors in purpose connectors

The word so by itself means therefore.
It was too hot to study, so we went to the beach.

So that means in order to or in order that.

INCORRECT

We took a cab so we would be on time.

CORRECT

We took a cab so that we would be on time.

4. Errors with BECAUSE

It is incorrect to say:  The reason is because  ... Use: The reason is that ...

INCORRECT

The reason he was rejected was because he was 17.

CORRECT

The reason he was rejected was that he was 17.

OR

CORRECT

He was rejected because of his young age.

OR

CORRECT

He was rejected because he was too young.

5. Errors of dangling modifiers

An introductory verbal modifier should be directly followed by the noun or pronoun which it modifies. Such a modifier will start with a gerund or participial phrase and be followed by a comma. Look for the modified noun or pronoun immediately after the comma.

INCORRECT

Seeing that the hour was late, it was decided to postpone the committee vote.

CORRECT

Seeing that the hour was late, the committee decided to postpone the vote.

INCORRECT

Unaccustomed to getting up early, it was difficult for him to get to work on time.

CORRECT

Unaccustomed to getting up early, he found it difficult to get to work on time.

INCORRECT

Wanting to get feedback, a questionnaire was handed out to the audience.

CORRECT

Since the speaker wanted to get feedback, he handed out a questionnaire to the audience.

6. Errors in parallel construction

In sentences containing a series of two or more items, check if the same form has been used for all the items in the series. Do not mix infinitives with gerunds, adjectives with participial phrases, or verbs with nouns.

INCORRECT

The film was interesting, exciting, and it was made well.

CORRECT

The film was interesting, exciting, and well made.

INCORRECT

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce new members and raising money.

CORRECT

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce new members and to raise money.

OR

CORRECT

The purpose of the meeting is introducing new members and raising money.

INCORRECT

He died unloved, unknown, and without any money.

CORRECT

He died unloved, unknown, and penniless.

INCORRECT

He was popular because of his sense of humor, his intelligence, and he could get along with people.

CORRECT

He was popular because of his sense of humor, his intelligence, and his ability to get along with people.

OR

CORRECT

He was popular because he had a sense of humor, was intelligent, and could get along with people.

7. Errors of unnecessary modifiers

In general, the more simply an idea is stated, the better it is. An adverb or adjective can often eliminate extraneous words.

INCORRECT

He drove in a careful way.

CORRECT

He drove carefully.

INCORRECT

CORRECT

It was a difficult, delicate problem.

Beware of words with the same meaning in the same sentence.

INCORRECT

The new innovations were startling.

CORRECT

The innovations were startling.

INCORRECT

Would you please repeat again what you said?

CORRECT

INCORRECT

CORRECT

He left richer than when he came.

Beware of general wordiness.

INCORRECT

That depends on the state of the general condition of the situation.

CORRECT

That depends on the situation.