Grammar Task

Determiners

Editing

The sentences below each may have an error. If an error is perceived, underline the error and
write the correct form above. Otherwise, put a tick at the end.

1. My father taught me how to play the guitar.
2. If he continues, he will end up in a prison!
Some singular countable nouns are used without articles in certain situations, often
after prepositions.
3. The French have excellent taste in most things. C
4. James is an MP of the Jurong GRC.
5. I have not seen the Taj Mahal in my life.
6. I will take both two books.
7. Ive made us all something to eat. C
8. The discipline mistress gave an instruction and all students stood up
9. He is an STU professor and an honourable member of the Board of Academics.
10. I need to go to a post office. Do you know if there is one near here?
11. I used my book as a hammer to break a biscuit into pieces.
12. Jane is in hospital. C
13. It is not long before he enters the university.
14. Neither of them is here. (Neither of them is here)
15. Come on Tuesday or Thursday. Either day is fine.
16. The employee with the fewest mistakes got promoted.
17. It took him many years to get to this standard. (a lot not used before units of
measure)
18. The film was neither well made nor well acted.


Section 2 Explanation

Answer the question that accompanies each question.

1. I need an advice for my problem.

What is ungrammatical, and why?
Advice is uncountable.

2. Every room are being use.

What is ungrammatical, and why?
Room is the head noun, and it is singular.

3. Has everybody got his or her ticket?
Has everybody got their tickets?

What is the difference between these two sentences?
Formal/informal

4. What is the difference between everybody and every one

Every one can refer to things as well as people.

5. When do you use less and when do you use fewer? Construct two sentences to
describe your answer.

Less is the comparative of little (used for uncountable nouns)
Fewer is the comparative of few (used for countable, plural nouns)

6. A lot of time is needed to learn a language
Lots of time is needed to learn a language
A great deal of time is needed to learn a language.

What is the difference/similarity between these sentences?

A lot and lots of are informal. A great deal is more formal.