H O L I D AY H O M E W O R K

F O R M S 2 AN D 3
E R R O R I D E N T I F I C ATI O N EX E R C I S E S
In our daily conversation and writing, we often make some language errors.
Students in Forms One to Three are expected to be able to identify these errors and
correct them. It is with this in mind that exercises on identification of errors are
included in this holiday homework.
Typ e s o f E r r o r s
1. Errors in agreement of verbs with subjects
Examples:
All the furniture in the room were destro yed.
All the furniture in the room was destroyed.
One of the boys are still missing.
One of the boys is still missing.

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

2. Errors in tenses
Examples:
Ai Li saw Siti left the house.
Ai Li saw Siti leave the house.
I f I s a w M a r y, I w o u l d h a v e t o l d h e r.
I f I s a w M a r y, I w o u l d t e l l h e r.
I am looking forward to see you.
I am looking forward to seeing you.

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

3. Errors in spelling
Examples:
I c a n ' t r e a d Az i a h ' s w r i t t i n g .
I c a n ' t r e a d Az i a h ' s w r i t i n g .
Accidents have become a daily occurence.
Accidents have become a daily occurrence.

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

4. Errors in pronouns/prepositions/articles
Examples:
M a n j i t a n d m e w e n t - t o t h e b e a c h e v e r y d a y.
M a n j i t a n d I w e n t t o t h e b e a c h e v e r y d a y.
The boy was accused for stealing.
The boy was accused of stealing.
Petaling Jaya is the satellite town.
Petaling Jaya is a satellite town.

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

5. Errors in parts of speech

Examples:
We p r a c t i c e s i n g i n g o n c e a w e e k .

( Wro n g )

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We p r a c t i s e s i n g i n g o n c e a w e e k .
Play as hardly as possible.
Play as hard as possible.

(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

6. Errors in repetition / redundancy

Examples:
Can you please repeat again what you said?
Can you please repeat what you said?
I'll return back the book after reading it.
I'll return the book after reading it.

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

7. Errors in omission of words

Examples:
I h a v e n ' t r e p l i e d As i a h ' s l e t t e r.
I h a v e n ' t r e p l i e d t o As i a h ' s l e t t e r.
The picnickers enjoyed at the beach.
The picnickers enjoyed themselves at the beach.

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

8. Errors in vocabulary
Examples:
He keeps a dairy to note down his appointments.
( Wro n g )
He keeps a diary to note down his appointments.
(Correct)
Too m u c h o u t d o o r a c t i v i t i e s m a y e f f e c t o u r s t u d i e s . ( Wro n g )
Too m u c h o u t d o o r a c t i v i t i e s m a y a f f e c t o u r s t u d i e s .
(Correct)
9. Errors in sentence construction
Examples:
Behaving suspiciously, we confronted the man.
We c o n f r o n t e d t h e m a n b e h a v i n g s u s p i c i o u s l y .
Do you know what is his name?
Do you know what his name is?
(or) Do you know his name?
10. Other types of errors
Examples:
We o n l y g o t o c h u r c h o n S u n d a y.
We g o t o c h u r c h o n l y o n S u n d a y.
You a r e t h e r e p o r t e r, i s n ' t i t ?
You a r e t h e r e p o r t e r, a r e n ' t y o u ?
Neither James or I like the food.
Neither James nor I like the food.

rgk/EnglishHolidayAssignment/ErrorIdentification

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)
(Correct)

( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)
( Wro n g )
(Correct)

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EXERCISE A :

E a c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s e n t e n c e s c o n t a i n s a n e r r o r ( Ten s e s /
Passive ) which has been underlined.
W ri t e o u t t h e c o r r e c t a n s w e r.

1.

While I am watching television last night, someone called.

2.

Val u a b l e p a i n t i n g s w e r e s t o l e f r o m t h e g a l l e r y.

3.

I found that my drawers were searched.

4.

I suddenly noticed that he has turned blue.

5.

The car was damage badly in the accident.

6.

T ee n a g e r s w i t h o u t g u i d a n c e c a n b e e a s i l y i n f l u e n c e .

7.

When my father was doing his work, we will not disturb him.

8.

We h a d b e t t e r w e n t h o m e n o w . I t i s l a t e .

9.

When I reached her house, she already left.

10 .

If I w er e yo u , I w ill s ee th e h ead mas ter.

Answers to EXERCISE A:
1.
6.

2.
7.

EXERCISE B :

3.
8.

4.
9.

5.
10.

Each of the following sentences contains an error ( Participles

and Gerunds ) which has been underlined.
Write ou t th e cor rect ans wer.

1.

They were boring by the film.

2.

After tied up the thief, I called the police.

3.

'Stop cry or I will hit you,' he threatened.

4.

This problem can be solved by control pollution

5.

I saw a man climbed over the gate.

6.

A lina saw h er tr ied to op en the fr on t d oo r.

7.

The gate was not damaged but it was wide opened.

8 .

I s aw my neig hb o ur w as stan ding b y the do o r.

9 .

We h a d a v e r y f r i g h t e n e d e x p e r i e n c e .

10 .

I heard the child screamed.

Answers to EXERCISE B :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
E X E R C I S E C : In each of the following sentences, four different parts are marked A, B, C and D.
One of these parts contains an error. Choose the part containing the error by circling
your answer .
1. Although Sheila was running a temperature, but she took part in the race because she did not want to
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2.

3.

4.
5.
6.

7.
8.
9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

A
B
C
be accused of letting the team down.
D
Children should grow up with a feeling that they are in this world not for theirs own satisfaction but
A
B
C
primarily to lead a useful life.
D
"Which person would you say influence you most strongly when you were a child or a teenager?" the
A
B
C
reporter asked the famous film actress.
D
I cannot believe that the chairs in this room are ten years old because they do not seem used very
much.
A
B
C
D
I'm taking my car for a service and I'll have the brakes carefully check.
A
B
C
D
Inside the building, the flames spread from floor to floor, destroy the wood panelling, the window
A
B
C
curtains and several fittings.
D
The house is built on a hill, and a garden slope down to a stream in the valley.
A
B
C
D
Sharmila is a very proud person and the last thing she would do is asked any of her friends for help.
A
B
C
D
Several people are reported to have seen the small boy running cross the road but none of them tried to
A
B
C
stop him.
D
The neighbourhood was becoming noisier and filthier than ever before, so he had no choice but to sell
A
B
C
the house and moved out.
D
I strongly object with the remark made by the second speaker from the opposition team that certain
A
B
C
jobs should be reserved for men.
D
They must get a new permission every year in order to set up a food-stall near the railway station
A
B
C
during the festive season.
D
Please note that the rainy weather has force us to change the date of our Annual Sports from the fifth
A
B
C
to the tenth of June.
D
After a lengthy discussion, the students decided to accept the proposal that the class fund be used
A
B
C
for finance the trip to Penang.
D
Fares will be refunded back, provided cancellations are done not less than twenty-four hours before
A
B
C

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the flight is scheduled to leave.

D
16. When you come to a junction, turn left; the bus-stop is on the left side of the road besides a
A
B
C
D
supermarket.
17.

Before you plant the seeds, you have to dig up the soil and remove the stones. Than, make a hole for
A
B
C
D
the seeds.

18.

Please give my regards to your parents and convey my thanks to them for their warm hospitality
A
B
C
when I stay as a guest in your house last week.
D
19. We are very grateful to Encik Ismail, the State Career Guidance officer, for come to the school
A
B
to give us a talk on 'Careers for school-leavers.'
C
D
20. To my opinion, boys, too, should learn to cook as it is important that they know how to prepare meal
A
B
C
if the need arises.
D
21. After leaving the school gate, walk along Jalan Gopeng until you arrive at the market which was on
A
B
C
D
your left.
22.

23.

24.

25.
26.

27.

It has recently been report from London that Malaysian students can now take advantage
A
B
of the reduction in fees in some British colleges.
C
D
Please told your mother that Mrs. Lee rang up to inform her that she would not be able to take her
A
B
C
to the office tomorrow.
D
Members of the floor, I strongly opposed the motion that television does more harm than good
A
B
C
in the world today.
D
Zainal turned to face the man who suddenly takes out a knife from his pocket and pointed it at him.
A
B
C
D
"Hello, Ahmad, let me introduce my friend, Peter, a tourist from Australia, who is staying with me
A
B
C
in the moment."
D
The villagers paid few attention to the newcomers as they were quite used to having visitors to their
A
B
C
D
village.

ANSWERS
Answers to EXERCISE A:
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1. was watching
6. influenced

2. stolen
7. is

3. had been
8. go

4. had
9. had already left

5. damaged
10. would

Answers to EXERCISE B :
1. b o r e d
6. t r y / t r y i n g

2. t y i n g
7. wide open

3. c r y i n g
8. standing

4. c o n t r o l l i n g
9. frightening

5.c l i m b / c l i m b i n g
10.scream / screaming

Answers to EXERCISE C :
Answers With Explanations

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

13.

14.

Answer: B
We can use either although or but. We cannot use both the conjunctions in the same sentence.
Answer: C
The possessive adjective their should be used instead of the possessive pronoun theirs.
Answer: B
Influenced should be used because it refers to a period of time in the past. The clue is were.
Answer: D
The passive infinitive to be used is the correct form.
Answer: D
The past participle checked should be used.
Answer: C
The present participle destroying should be used because it refers to a continuous action.
Answer: B
The verb slope does not agree with the singular subject a garden. The singular verb slopes should be
used instead.
Answer: C
The infinitive to ask should be used.
Answer: B
The preposition across should be used instead of the verb cross.
Answer: D
The infinitive move should be used, i.e. to sell the house and (to) move out.
Answer: A
The correct preposition to use is "object to" not "object with
Answer: A
Permit should be used instead of permission. Permit means "written authority to do something",
whereas permission means "act of allowing; consent."
Answer: B
The verb in the present perfect tense is made up of ' has/have + past participle.' Therefore, has
forced should be used in this sentence.
Answer: D

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15.

16.

17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

22.
23.
24.

25.
26.
27.

The gerund financing should be used after the preposition for.

Answer: A
"To refund" is "to pay back." Thus, the word back in "refunded back" is redundant and should be
omitted.
Answer: D
Beside should be used instead of besides. Beside means "next to", whereas besides means "in
addition to."
Answer: C
The time connective then should be used instead of than.
Answer: D
Stayed should be used because it refers to an event in the past. The clue given is "last week."
Answer: B
The gerund coming should be used after the preposition for.
Answer: A
The correct preposition to use is "in my opinion" , not "to my opinion."
Answer: D
The verb should be in the simple present tense, i.e. is because the rest of the sentence is in the
present.
Answer: A
The past participle reported should be used as the construction is in the passive voice.
Answer: A
The imperative tell should be used instead of told.
Answer: B
The simple present tense, i.e. oppose should be used as the verb is used in a statement made at the
time of speaking.
Answer: B
The verb should be in the simple past tense, i.e. took because the rest of the sentence is in the past.
Answer: D
The correct preposition to use is " at the moment" meaning "at present."
Answer: A
Little should be used instead of few because "attention" is an uncountable noun.

GOOD LUCK
&
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS !!!

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