Sentence Improvement

At a glance 9 rules

1. 1Find the error firstSpot what is wrong in the underlined part before reading the options, then pick the fix that keeps the meaning and adds no new error.
2. 2Check in orderTest the underlined part in this order: verb form and tense, then its partner word (than, when, that, and), then whether like is compared with like.
3. 3Ask who does itFor an opening phrase, ask who does it. If the subject after the comma cannot, pick the option that gives the phrase its own subject: 'The rain having stopped, we resumed play'.
4. 4When nothing is wrongIf the underlined part breaks no rule, choose 'No improvement'. 'Had better' takes a bare verb though 'had' looks past: 'we had better hurry'.
5. 5Between pairs with and'Between' pairs with 'and', 'from' with 'to': 'between Pune and Nashik', 'from Monday to Friday'. Never 'between' with 'to'.
6. 6Built-in negatives'Lest' and 'unless' already mean 'not', so never add another: 'lest he should fall', 'unless you hurry'. 'Lest' takes 'should', not 'will'.
7. 7Verbs that take -ing'Avoid', 'enjoy', 'mind' and 'finish' take -ing: 'avoid skipping meals'. 'Remember doing' looks back; 'remember to do' looks ahead to a task.
8. 8Rise or raise'Rise' (go up) takes no object: rise, rose, risen; 'raise' (lift) needs one: raise, raised, raised. 'Fees have risen', but 'they raised the fees'.
9. 9Bare verb after insistAfter 'insist', 'suggest', 'demand' or 'recommend that', the verb stays bare, with no -s and no tense: 'they insisted that he wait'.