Common Mistakes In The Use Of Adjectives
In this lesson we will take a look at some of the most common errors in the use of adjectives.
Incorrect: These all mangoes are rotten.
Correct: All these mangoes are rotten.
Correct: All of these mangoes are rotten.
Articles (a/an, the), possessives (my, your etc) and demonstratives (that, these, this and those) are called Group A determiners. Quantifiers like all, some, both and half are called Group B determiners. A Group A determiner cannot be used directly before a Group B determiner.
If we have to put a group B determiner before a group A determiner, we have to use of. Note that of can be left out after all, both and half when they are followed by nouns.
Incorrect: The woman held the baby in the both hands.
Correct: The woman held the baby in both hands.
Correct: The woman held the baby in both her hands.
We do not use the before both.
Incorrect: They have no any children.
Correct: They have no children.
Correct: They don't have any children.
Avoid the use of double negatives. Note that when have is the main verb in a sentence, questions and negatives are made with do.
Incorrect: Shakespeare is greater than any other poets.
Correct: Shakespeare is greater than any other poet.
Incorrect: Gold is more precious than any other metals.
Correct: Gold is more precious than any other metal.
Incorrect: Alice is taller than any other girls in the class.
Correct: Alice is taller than any other girl in the class.
Note that in this structure a singular noun should be used after any other.
Sections in this article
Adjectives
Adjectives placed before
nouns
Adjectives placed after
verbs
Adjectives without
Nouns
Adjectives: order before nouns
Kinds of Adjectives
Adjectives with and
Complements of adjectives
See also
Adjective clauses
Relative clauses
Relative pronouns
Identifying relative clauses
Omission of relative pronouns