CONJUNCTION EXERCISE ( PART- 29)

      

 Directions(Q.1-50): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is “No error” the answer is ‘E'.(Ignore errors of punctuation if any.)   

                         Conjunction                                                              

                            

1. (a) No sooner did (b) the train depart from (c) the station when (d) another train arrived on the platform. (e) No error.

2. (a) Not only has he built (b) a school for the poor (c) but he has also built a (d) hospital for the old. (e) No error.

3. (a) The burglars had (b) hardly broken into the house to steal (c) ornaments than (d) a child woke up and started crying. (e) No error.

4. (a) Scarcely had he (b) reached his office (c) that he was told by one of his colleagues (d) that his father met with an accident. (e) No error.

5. (a) Scarcely had I (b) alighted from the bus (c) when it started raining (d) cats and dogs. (e) No error.

6. (a) He tells me that though (b) he is known to only a few (c) people but  his reputation (d) among them is very great. (e) No error.

7. (a) Hardly had I (b) come on the stage to deliver a speech, then (c) hundreds of thousands of (d) jubilant Indians cheered me. (e) No error.

8. (a) Not only has the commerce industry fixed (b) extraordinarily high minimum price for (c) onion exports but also has made licenses mandatory (d) for every consignment. (e)

9. (a) The banks have followed an (b)aggressive monetary policy and(c) its stated aim of curbing inflation (d)has not been achieved yet.(e) no error

10. (a) I am doubtful (b) that the man who has been(c) convicted of theft, (d) is living in my town. (e) No error.

Solution

1. (c) Replace ‘When’ by ‘than.

2. (e) no error

3. (c) Replace ‘Than’ by ‘When’.

4. (c) Replace ‘that’ by ‘when’.

5. (e) No error.

6. (e) No error.

7. (b) Use ‘when’ instead of ‘then’.

8. (e) no error

9. (b) Replace "and" by "but".

10. (b) Use ‘whether’ instead of ‘that’.

Questions

11. (a) Because he did not reach (b) the examination hall on time,(c) therefore he was not allowed (d) to sit for the exam.(e) No error

12. (a) Both the young along with (b) the old are accountable for a (c) great many vices with which our society (d) as well as country is inflicted. (e) No error.

13. (a) His offence was such (b) as he was not only (c) imprisoned but also (d) sentenced to death.(e) No error.

14. (a)  The two girls who (b) have been selected for the post (c)of income tax inspector, (d)are too young and beautiful to be rejected by anyone (e) No error.

15. (a) Since annual examination is fast approaching (b) my cousin has bought a lot of things (c) as books, pens, pencils etc. (d) all of which cost much. (e) No error.

16. (a) Scarcely had he gone a few steps (b) than he saw a cobra lying (d) on the ground. (e) No error.

17. (a) No sooner had the train (b) arrived at the station then the people who (c) were waiting for the train rushed down (d) to get their seats. (e) No error.

18. (a) No sooner had the bomb (b) exploded in the vicinity of the rock garden, (c) people started running in (d)  helter-skelter. (e) No error.

19. (a) I cannot tell (b) you if he feel nostalgic (c) about his childhood (d) or not. (e) No error.

20. (a) Five years have passed (b) that I hanged my boots from (c) the company and settled (d) in Lucknow. (e) No error.

Solutions

11. (c) Remove ‘therefore’ because we don’t use ‘thus, therefore, so’ after ‘as, since, because.

12. (a) Replace ‘along with’ by ‘and’ because ‘both’ is followed by ‘and’.

13. (b) Replace ‘as’ by ‘that’.

14. (e) No error.

15. (c) Use ‘like’ instead of ‘as’.

16. (c) Replace ‘Than’ by ‘When’.

17. (b) Replace ‘then’ by ‘than’.

18. (b) Use ‘than’ instead of ‘comma’.

19. (b) Replace ‘if’ by ‘whether’.

20. (b) Replace ‘that’ by ‘since’.

Questions

21. (a) It was almost (b) three years ago since I visited (c) the Taj Mahal (d) along with my friends and had a gala time. (e) No error.

22. (a) The patient would not (b) have kicked the bucket (c) when he had been given (d) an injection on time.(e) No error.

23. (a) Our plan to go to picnic was (b) almost fixed and the rain (c) fizzled out  the whole (d) thing and we could not go willingly .(e) No error.

24. (a) He could not (b) succeed in the examination, (c) yet he had (d) worked very hard. (e) No error.

25. (a) The woodman stirred the fire (b) until the flames leaped (c) high and the sparks flew (d) out of the roof hole. (e) No error.

26. (a) He was not (b) so skillful and accomplished in (c) English that we (d) had expected. (e) No error

27. (a) She has (b) not only stopped singing (c) but also dancing because (d) her husband does not allow her for these activities.(e) No error

28. (a) Nobody else but (b) I had stood by (c) you in all the circumstances (d) when you were new in this city. (e) No error

29. (a) She could not keep back her tears, (b) the chief cause of her pain seemed (c)to be the fear (d) lest people would doubt her truthfulness (e) No error

30. (a) For the whole evening she sits at the table (b) whatever comes into her busy brain; (c) I seldom or ever find any difficulty (d) in reading what she has written. (e) No error

Solutions

21. (b) Replace ‘since’ by ‘that’.

22. (c) Replace ‘when’ by ‘if’.

23. (b) Replace ‘and’ by ‘but’.

24. (c) Replace ‘yet’ by ‘though’.

25. (e) No error.

26. (c) Replace ‘that' by ‘as’.

27. (b) Use ‘not only’ after ‘stopped’.

28. (e) no error

29. (d) Replace ‘would by ‘should’ because we use ‘should’ after ‘lest’.

30. (e) No error.

Questions

31. (a) This young man, of whom I spoke to you (b) last summer, is so noble-minded (c) and full of enthusiasm that (d) one seldom if never finds now a days among our old men of twenty. (e) No error.

32. (a) The manager was doubtful (b) if some of the clerks(c) of his office were (d) involved in bank robbery. (e) No error.

33. (a) Neither the girl (b) nor her mother (c) was fast asleep when (d) the thief entered the house. (e) No error.

34. (a) Because he is (b) running with high temperature (c) so he will not (d) come to school today. (e) No error.

35. (a) You must either contact (b) your friend else go to his home (c) to inform him that (d) his mother has met with an accident and has been taken to the hospital. (e) No error.

36. (a) As soon as they think (b) that the master can no longer hear, (c) then they speak with frankness (d) which is the more starling because who listens to it become responsible. (e) No error.

37. (a) They not only come (b) here for shopping but also for (c) having a glimpse of (d) the extremely ravishing sales girl. (e) No error.

38. (a) Hardly had he (b) got down from the train (c) then the bomb exploded (d) and shattered the train into pieces. (e) No error.

39. (a) Scarcely had he started (b) eating an apple when he was spotted (c) by one of his friends (d) who were his childhood friends. (e) No error.

40. (a) I don’t know (b) if any of the students (c) of this college has gone to picnic (d) along with his teacher or not . (e) No error.

Solutions

31. (d) Use ‘Seldom if ever’ to make the sentence correct.

32. (e) No error.

33. (e) No error.

34. (c) Remove ‘so’ for more explanation see the answer of 11.

35. (b) Replace ‘else’ by ‘or’ because after ‘either’ we use ‘or’.

36. (c) Remove ‘then’ because we don’t use ‘then’ after ‘as soon as, if, when etc.

37. (a) Use ‘not only’ before ‘shopping’ to make the sentence correct.

38. (c) Replace ‘Then’ by ‘When’.

39. (e) No error.

40. (b) Replace ‘if’ by ‘whether’.

Questions

41. (a) The weather this summer is (b) so bad as last year (c) it has not stopped (d) for weeks. (e) No error. 

42. (a) This is not such (b) a difficult question (c) which cannot be answered (d) with a little effort. (e) No error.

43. (a) This is perhaps (b) the same dog which (c) was barking at me (d) when I was going home from office. (e) No error. 

44. (a) He asked me (b) that why I had (c) not made my best efforts (d) to persuade her to accompany us.(e) No error.

45. (a) We use both subjective (b) as well as objective case (c) of a pronoun  after ‘as and than’(d) according to the need. (e) No error.

46. (a) As he does (b) not have any work (c) to do, so he always pokes (d) his nose into other’s affairs. (e) No error.

47. (a) Although he was born (b) with a silver spoon in his mouth,(c) but he was not brought up (d) in an affluent family. (e) No error.

48. (a) His mother told (b) him not to go out (c) in the night with the persons (d) as John, Peter, Lucy, etc. (e) No error.

49. (a) He suggested to me (b) that I should (c) do all the work as (d) quickly like him. (e) No error.

50. (a) He was so clever and wise (b) that everybody’s attempt (c) to leave him in the lurch (d) turned out to be futile. (e) No error.

Solutions

41. (b) Replace ‘so’ by ‘as’ because ‘so…….as’ is used in the negative sentence.

42. (c) Replace ‘which’ by ‘that’ because after that we use either ‘that’ or ‘as’.

43. (b) Replace ‘which’ by ‘that’ because after ‘the same’ we use ‘that’.

44. (b) Remove ‘that’ because ‘why and that’ can not come together.

45. (b) Use ‘and’ instead of ‘as well as’.

46. (c) Remove ‘so’ for more explanation see the answer of 11.

47. (c) Replace ‘but’ by ‘yet’.

48. (d) Replace ‘as’ by ‘like’.

49. (d) Replace ‘like’ by ‘as’.

50. (e) No error.

CONJUNCTION ( PART-28)

                      

           Conjunction

A conjunction is a word that joins two or more than two words, phrases, clauses and sentences.

Examples

1. Saleem and Zaid have completed their assignments.

2. I made several calls to you but you didn’t pick up the phone.

3. You must work hard or you will fail.

There are three types of conjunctions

1. Coordinating conjunctions:- They are used to join the sentences of equal rank.

And, but, or, nor, yet etc.

2. Subordinating conjunctions:-  They are used to join such sentences where one is principal clause and the other is subordinate clause.

When, until, till, unless, before, after etc.

3. Co-relative conjunctions:- They are always used in pairs.

Either…..or, neither….nor, not only...but also, both…..and etc .

                        Some important rules

Rule:-1. Hardly, Scarcely, Barely and Rarely are followed by when.

Structure

Hardly /Scarcely/Barely/Rarely…………...but, than, then . (incorrect)

Hardly /Scarcely/Barely/Rarely…………...when . (correct)

Structure:-

Hardly /Scarcely/Barely/Rarely +had +subj. +v3+obj +when +simple past.

Examples

1. Hardly had the party started than she left for her home. (incorrect)

2. Hardly had the party started when she left for her home. (correct)

3. scarcely I had thought of having ice cream when one of my friends bought one for me. (incorrect)

4. scarcely had I thought of having ice cream when one of my friends bought one for me. (correct)

Rule:-2. No sooner is always followed by than.

No sooner ……………………………but, then, when. (incorrect)

No sooner………………………………than. (correct)

                           Structure

• No sooner +had +subj+ v3+obj+than+simple past.

Examples

1. No sooner had I reached home when it started raining. (incorrect)

2. No sooner had I reached home than it started raining. (correct)

3. No sooner he had boarded the train than the train departed. (incorrect)

4. No sooner had he boarded the train than the train departed.(correct)

•No sooner+did+subj+v1+obj+than+simple paste.

Examples

1. No sooner did I reach home but it started raining. (incorrect)

2. No sooner did I reach home than it started raining. (correct)

•No sooner+do/does+subj+v1+obj+than+simple present .

Examples

1. No sooner do I reach home than it started raining. (incorrect)

2. No sooner do I reach home than it starts raining. (correct)

Rule:-3. But, when, than, then can not be used after as soon as.

Examples

1. As soon as I reached home than it started raining. (incorrect)

2. As soon as I reached home, it started raining. (correct)

Rule:-4. Although and though are followed by yet or comma.

Examples

1. Although he loves you but he can not marry you. (incorrect)

2. Although he loves you yet he can not marry you. (incorrect)

3. Though he is known to only a few people, his reputation among them is very popular.

Rule:-5. ‘Both/whether’ are followed by ‘and/or’ respectively. 

Both……………..and

Whether…………or

Examples

1. Both Seema as well as Sonia were prohibited from going out in the night.

2. Both Seema and Sonia were prohibited from going out in the night. (correct)

3. I don’t know if he has taken his lunch or not. (incorrect)

4. I don’t know whether he has taken his lunch or not. (incorrect)

Rule:-6. Use of lest and otherwise.

• Lest is generally followed by should.

• ‘Not, never’ can not be used after lest.

Examples

1. Walk slowly lest you should not fall. (incorrect)

2. Walk slowly lest you should fall. (correct)

3. Write carefully lest you will make a mistake. (incorrect)

4. Write carefully lest you should make a mistake. (incorrect)

5. Make a note of the questions you want to ask otherwise you will forger some of them.

Rule:-7.  Use of till, until and unless

• Till, until are used for time while unless is used for condition.

• “Not and never” can’t be used after till, until and unless.

• “Will, shall and would” can’t be used after until, till and unless.

Examples

1. I will wait for you until you do not come. (incorrect) 

2. I will wait for you until you come. (correct) 

3. You will not get success unless you will labour hard. (incorrect)

4. You will not get success unless you labour hard. (correct)

Note- Till can not be used in the beginning of a sentence.

1. Till the train gets the signal it will not move. (incorrect)

2. Until the train gets the signal it will not move. (correct)

Rule:-8. There are some conjunctions that are used to show contrast/opposition.

But, still, yet, while, however, though, although, nevertheless.

Examples

1. She did not understand a word yet she did not smile. (incorrect)

2. She did not understand a word yet she kept smiling. (correct)

3. Sonia is indeed happy with her performance but is going to get a bonus. (incorrect)

4. Sonia is indeed happy with her performance but is not going to get a bonus. (correct)

5. Though she is rich and beautiful, she is popular. (incorrect)

6. Though she is rich and beautiful, she is not popular. (correct)

7. He tried his best however he passed the exam with flying colours. (incorrect)

8. He tried his best however he did not pass the exam with flying colours. (correct)

Rule:-9. ‘Therefore, so, thus’ can not be used after ‘because, since and as’.

Examples

1. Because he reached the examination hall late therefore/so he was not allowed to sit for exam. (incorrect)

2. Because he reached the examination hall late, he was not allowed to sit for exam. (correct)

3. As it was raining so I decided to take shelter. (incorrect)

4. As it was raining, I decided to take shelter. (correct)

5. Since it is an area of outstanding natural beauty therefore the number of boats available for hire on the river is limited. (incorrect)

6. Since it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, the number of boats available for hire on the river is limited. (correct)

Rule 10:- Use of As……As and So…….As

As…….As  It is used in both positive and negative sentence.

So……As  It is used only in the negative sentence.

Examples

1. She is not as beautiful as her sister.

2. She is not so beautiful as her sister.

3. He is as intelligent as his brother.

4. He is so intelligent as his brother. 

(incorrect because so…as doesn’t come in positive sentence)

Rule:-11. “Not and never” are followed by or.

Examples

1. I have never seen her not met her. (incorrect)

2. I have never seen her or met her. (correct)

3. She has not invited me nor come to my home. (incorrect)

4. She has not invited me or come to my home. (correct)

Rule:-12. If and when are not followed by then.

Examples

1. When I come to Lucknow then I will meet you. (incorrect)

2. When I come to Lucknow, I will meet you. (correct)

3. If the government takes action then corruption will stop. (incorrect)

4. If the government takes action, corruption will stop. (correct)

Rule:-13. The same is followed by as or than.

• The same is followed by that if a verb comes after the same.

Example

1. This is the same girl that I saw at the theatre.

• If there is no verb after the same it is followed by as.

1. Your problems are the same as mine.

Rule:-14. Doubt and doubtful are followed by if/whether in affirmative sentence and followed by that in negative and interrogative sentence.

Affirmative                                                    negative/interrogative

Doubt…………….if/whether,                           doubt………….that

Doubtful…………if/whether,                           doubtful………that

Examples

1. She doubts that you will call her back. (incorrect)

2. She doubts if/whether you will call her back. (correct)

3. I am doubtful that she will accompany me to watch movie. (incorrect)

4. I am doubtful if/whether she will accompany me to watch movie. (correct)

5. I don’t doubt if/whether you will complete your assignment timely. (incorrect)

6. I don’t doubt that you will complete your assignment timely. (correct)

Rule:-15. Such is followed by as, that.

Such………………….as (to indicate category)

Such………………….that (to indicate intensity, result, effect)

Such………………….who, whom, which (incorrect)

Examples

1. He is not such a good dancer as we expected.

2. The police looked at the criminal in such anger that he began to tremble.

3. I don’t like such boys who don’t speak the truth. (use that instead of who)

Rule:-16 use of that

That is not used with interrogative words such as-

Who, whom, which, what, when, where, why, how, how much, how long .

Examples

1. She said to me, “you have given my book to him.”(direct)

2. She told me that I had given her book to him.(indirect)

3. She said to me, “Why have you given my book to him.”(direct)

4. She told me that why I had given her book to him. (indirect-wrong)

5. She told me why I had given her book to him. (indirect-right)

6. She said to me, “have you given my book to him?”(direct)

7. She told me that if I had given her book to him.(indirect-wrong)

8. She told me if/whether I had given her book to him.(indirect-right)

PHRASE - PREPOSITION ( PART-27)

 Some important phrase prepositions

1. Because of- के कारण

The country suffered heavy loss because of the earthquake.

2. on account of- के कारण

We rescheduled the concert on account of heavy rain.

3. Owing to- के कारण

Owing to his ill health, he retired from business.

4. due to- के कारण

The accident was due to driver’s disregarding the signal.

5. in spite of- के बावजूद

He got the job in spite of his prison record.

6. Despite- के बावजूद

John’s company is doing extremely well despite the recession.

Note- That can not be used immediately after inspite of or despite

Inspite of/ despite + that…. Incorrect

Inspite of/ despite + the fact +  that…. Correct

Examples

1.When they arrived at the station it was hot, inspite of that it was only the end of April. (incorrect)

2.When they arrived at the station it was hot, inspite of the fact that it was only the end of April. (correct)

7. Instead of- के बजाय

Instead of sitting home and watching T.V., he went out to play cricket.

8. By means of- के माध्यम से

By means of rope and ladders they scaled the wall.

9. for the sake of- के लिए

He gave up the ghost in 1947 for the sake of his country.

10. In accordance with- के अनुसार

In accordance with your instruction, he performed on the stage last night.

11. according to- के अनुसार

He acted according to my instruction.

12. on behalf of- की तरफ से

He died fighting on behalf of his country.

13. In consequence of- के परिणामस्वरूप

In consequence of his illness he could not finish the work in time.

14. in favour of- के पक्ष में

He abdicated the throne in favour of his elder son.

15. in front of- के सामने

There is a big tree in front of his house.

16. in lieu of- के बदले में

He accepted the car in lieu of Rs. 3,25,000.

17. In order to - के लिए

In order to avoid litigation, he accepted Rs. 30,000 in full settlement of his claim Rs.42,000.

OMISSION OF PREPOSITION ( PART- 26)

    

   Omission of prepositions

Rule:-1. Don’t use preposition before these words.

Yesterday, last day, last week, last month, last year, last night, today, tomorrow, the following day, the next day, yesterday evening, this morning, this afternoon, tonight, tomorrow morning, tomorrow evening.

Examples

1. One of my friends came across me in last night. (drop ‘in’)

2. I will call you on tomorrow morning. (drop ‘ on’)

Rule:-2. Don’t use preposition before these verbs when they are used in active voice.

Stress, emphasize, discuss, investigate, comprise, accompany, consider, violate, demand, resemble, pervade, precede, succeed, reach, attack, invade, resist, enter, eschew, befall, order, direct, join, sign, affect, ensure, board, describe, await, lack, regard.

Examples

1. They ordered for a cup of coffee. (drop ‘for’)

2. Your face resembles with your brother’s. (drop ‘with’)

3. This book comprises of many pages. (drop ‘of’)

4. The Indian army attacked on the terrorist. (drop ‘on’)

5. The police are investigating into the case. (drop ‘into’)

Rule:-3. Don’t use ‘to’ with the following verbs.

Advise, tell, ask, beg, command, encourage, request, inform, thank, welcome, warn, forbid, remind, congratulate, compliment.

Examples

1. Do you compliment to people on good dress sense? (drop ‘to’)

2. He told to me that he had already visited that place. (drop ‘to’)

3. She congratulated to me on my success. (drop ‘to’)

Rule:-4.To can be used after these verbs if the object is a person.

Say, suggest, propose, speak, reply, explain, complain, listen, write, report, pray, describe.

Examples

1. Please listen to me carefully.

2. Why didn’t you write any letter to me?

Rule:-5. Don’t use a single preposition for two words that take different prepositions.

Examples

1. Neither he is ashamed nor sorry for his misconduct. (incorrect)

2. Neither he is ashamed at nor sorry for his misconduct. (correct)

3. She neither looked me nor talked to me. (incorrect)

4. She neither looked at me nor talked to me. (correct)

5. Her nature is different and inferior to her brother’s. (incorrect)

6. Her nature is different from and inferior to her brother’s. (incorrect)

PREPOSITION ( PART - 25 )

                      

               Preposition

A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it, stands in regard to something else.

Examples

1. There is a plate on the table.

2. A cat jumped upon the table.

3. He has died for his country.

Note- Prepositions are generally placed before a noun or pronoun as in the above sentences but not always.

Examples

1. Where do you belong to?

2. What are you preparing for?

  Some important prepositions

1. Between and Among 

Rule:-1. Between is used for two persons or things while among is used for more than two persons or things.

Examples

1. This property has been divided between two brothers.

2. Books were distributed among five boys.

3. Sweets were distributed between/among them. (both are correct because them does not define any definite number)

Rule:-2. Between is followed by and, from is followed by to.

                     Between……………………and

                     From…………………………..to

Examples

1. The distance from Lucknow to Kanpur is about 80 kilometers.

2. She was sitting between her brother and mother.

Rule:-3. We always use objective case of a pronoun after between…….and, and all prepositions.

Examples

1. There is no love lost between she and I.(use her and me instead of she and I)

2. He tried to talked to she, but she gave him a cold shoulder. (use her instead of she)

Rule:-4. Difference is followed by between (not among)

Difference….………….between

Different………………..from

Examples

1. There are many differences between you and her.

2. His nature is quite different from his sister’s.

Rule:-5. Always use plural noun/pronoun after between and among.

Examples

1. This matter can be solved among them.

2. A beautiful girl was sitting between them.

3. There is a cat among the tiger. (Use tigers instead of tiger)

Rule:-6. Each and every can not be used after between.

Examples

1. There are many trees between each road. (incorrect)

2. There are many trees between the roads. (correct)

Rule:-7. Between can also be used for more than two persons or things to show a reciprocal relation.

Example

1. The match is to be played between India, Australia and Pakistan.

Rule:-8. Amongst is also used for more than two persons or things, before a noun that starts with a vowel.

Examples

1. Sweets were distributed amongst all the boys.

2. This matter can be solved amongst us.

                 At and In

At is used comparatively for small places while in is used for bigger places.

Examples

1. He lives in Kapoorthala at Lucknow. (incorrect)

2. He lives at Kapoorthala in Lucknow. (correct)

                 In and Into

In is used to indicate the things at rest while into is used to indicate an act of entry in something/somewhere.

Examples

1. She is in the room.

2. He jumped into the river.

                 With and By

With is used for instruments while by is used for persons to express the means.

Examples

1. She was killed by an unknown man with a knife.

2. He was thrashed soundly by his teacher with a stick.

Note- By is also used for mode of transformation.

Examples

1. She goes to school by car.

2. She to school by her car. (incorrect)

3. She goes to school in her car. (correct)

4. She goes to school by a bicycle. (incorrect)

5. She goes to school by bicycle. (correct)

             Beside and Besides

Beside is used for adjacent/near position while besides is used for something additional.

Examples

1. I take two meals besides a light breakfast.

2. He was sitting beside his father in the hall.

                 On and Upon

On is used for the things at rest while upon is used to show motion.

Examples

1. Your book is on the table.

2. A cant jumped upon the table.

                                 

                  In and With

Both in and with are used for instruments but in is used for uncountable nouns and with is used for countable nouns.

Examples

1. She wrote a letter to me in ink with a pen. ( correct)

2. Why don’t you write with pencil? (incorrect)

3. Why don't you write with a pencil ? ( correct)

4. Why don’t you write in a pencil? (Incorrect)

5. Why don’t you write in pencil? (correct)

               Since and For

Since is used for point of time while for is used for period of time.

Examples

1. He has been living in Lucknow since 2011.

2. She has been reading newspaper for 4 hours.

             At and Towards

At shows a sense of aim while towards shows direction.

1. A deer was running towards the forest.

2. The people whose houses are made of stone, don’t throw stone at others.

                At, In and On

At:- Exact time, festivals.

In:-  months, years.

On:-  days, dates.

Examples

1. She called me at 9:30 in the morning. (exact time)

2. He will come to your house at Christmas. (festival)

3. He will go to Mumbai in January. (month)

4. He completed his graduation in 2012. (year)

5. She goes to temple on Monday. (day)

6. He gave me a tinkle on 26th of Jan. (date)

Note :-(i)"in" is generally used with morning, evening, afternoon, but if a day or date is mentioned before them we use ‘on’.

Examples

In the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon .

On Tuesday morning, on the evening of 26th January, on the evening of June.

Note:-( ii) Use ‘At’ with the following words.

Examples

At dawn, at dusk, at day break, at sunrise, at sunset, at noon, at night, at midnight etc.

            During and Within

During shows something continuing in a time period while within indicates inside the time period.

Examples

1. You are not allowed to attend your phones during the class.

2. She promised to call me within an hour.

              Until, till and By

Rule:-(1) By is used to talk about a deadline when something will happen before that time.

By tomorrow                          

 by 6 o’clock              

 by next month

Examples

1. I will be back by 6 o’clock.

2. We will have got our university degrees by next month.

Rule:-2 Until and till are used to talk about something that will keep going on for a duration of, time from a specific time to another. 

Example

1. He came here yesterday and he will stay with us until/till the weekend. (means from now to weekend)

Rule:-3. Sometimes we can use both ‘by’ and ‘until’ in a sentence but their meanings will differ from each other.

Examples

1. He is down with fever, he needs to be in bed until 10 o’clock. (means he is already in bed)

2. He is running with high temperature, he needs to be in bed by 10 o’clock. (means he is not in bed)

                                 

            Below and Under

Rule:-1. Both are used to show something down, however under is used to objects in motion.

Examples

1. The river is flowing below the bridge. (incorrect)

2. The river is flowing under the bridge. (correct)

Rule:-2. Under indicates physical contact while below is used when there is a space between two objects.

Examples

1. A cat was sleeping below the blanket. (use under instead of below)

2. I felt that he was hiding something below his jacket. (use under instead of below)

3. They live below us. (means we live above them)

Note- There are a few expression where only under can be used.

Under fire, under construction, under attack, under arrest, under pressure, under these conditions .

             Above and Over

Both are used to show higher than, however over is used to indicate a sense of movement, across, from one side to the other and in every part of the region.

Examples

1. We put a blanket over her body. (across)

2. A cat jumped over the fence. (movement)

3. There is a bridge over the river. (from one side to other)

4. Shakespeare is known all over the world. (everywhere in the world)

5. An aeroplane was flying above the clouds.

     Make of and Make from

Make of is used for physical change while make from is used for chemical change.

Examples

1. This ring is made of gold.

2. Curd is made from milk.

   Compare to and compare with

Compare with:- comparison with similar things

Compare to:- comparison with different things

Examples

1. Thomas Hardy’s novels can be compared with Shakespeare’s.

2. Yuvraj’s  batting can be compared to a thunder storm.

  On time, in time, in good time

(1) On time  -means- exact time

Example

Trains are running on time now a days.

 (2)  In time  - means-  a little bit earlier

Example

The train is running on time so you should reach station station in time.

(3) In good time - means- with comfortable margin

Example

He reached the station in good time as he had to buy a ticket.

                Up and Down

Up is used to show a movement step by step upward while down indicates step by step downward movement.

Examples

1. He climbed up the tree.

2. She ran down the stairs.

                   Of and Off

'Of' is used to show possession for non-living things while 'off 'is used to show physical separation.

Examples

1. Table’s leg. (incorrect)                    The leg of the table. (correct)

2. Fan’s blade. (incorrect)                   The blade of the fan. (correct)

3. A cat jumped off the table. (means from table to the ground)