COMMON ERRORS

297. The position in the sentence of such adverbs as, only, also and merely, depends upon the meaning to be conveyed. The place where these adverbs occur in the sentences, may completely alter the meaning of the sentence. For example:

Only the address can be written on this side. We mean that nothing but the address can be written on this side.

The address can only be written on this side. We mean that the address cannot be printed, but must be written.

The address can be written only on this side. We mean that it cannot be written on any other side, but on this side only.

So you see that the place in which the adverb appears in the sentence depends upon the meaning to be conveyed and the adverb should be placed in the sentence so as to convey the meaning intended.

Never use an adjective for an adverb. One common error is using an adjective for an adverb. Remember that adjectives modify nouns only. Whenever you use a word to modify a verb, adjective or another adverb, use an adverb. For example, He speaks slow and plain. This is incorrect. The sentence should be, He speaks slowly and plainly. Watch this carefully. It is a very common error.

Another very common error is that of using an adverb instead of an adjective with the copulative verb. Never use an adverb in place of an adjective to complete a copulative verb. When a verb asserts an action on the part of the subject, the qualifying word that follows the verb is an adverb. For example, you would say:

The sea was calm.

Here we use an adjective in the predicate, for we are describing the appearance of the sea, no action is expressed. But if we say: He spoke calmly, we use the adverb calmly, for the verb spoke expresses an action on the part of the subject, and the adverb calmly describes that action, it tells how he spoke. So we say: The water looks clear, but, We see clearly. She appears truthful. They answered truthfully. She looked sweet. She smiled sweetly.

With all forms of the verb be, as am, is, are, was, were, have been, has been, will be, etc., use an adjective in the predicate; as, He is glad. I am happy. They were eager. They will be sad. Use an adjective in the predicate with verbs like look, smell, taste, feel, appear and seem. For example: He looks bad. It smells good. The candy tastes sweet. The man feels fine today. She appears anxious. He seems weary.

Never use two negative words in the same sentence. The second negative destroys the first and we really make an affirmative statement. The two negatives neutralize each other and spoil the meaning of the sentence. For example, never say:

I don't want no education.
He didn't have no money.
Don't say nothing to nobody.
She never goes nowhere.
He won't say nothing to you.
He does not know nothing about it.
He never stops for nothing.
The stingy man gives nothing to nobody.

In all of these sentences we have used more than one negative; not and no, or not and nothing, or never and no, or never and nothing. Never use these double negatives. The correct forms of these sentences are:

I don't want any education.
He didn't have any money.
Don't say anything to any one.
She never goes anywhere.
He won't say anything to you.
He knows nothing about it.
He never stops for anything.
The stingy man gives nothing to any one.

Where to place the negative adverb, not. In English we do not use the negative adverb not with the common verb form, but when we use not in a sentence, we use the auxiliary do. For example, we do not say:

I like it not.
They think not so.
He loves me not.
We strive not to succeed.

Only in poetry do we use such expressions as these. In ordinary English, we say:

I do not like it.
They do not think so.
He does not love me.
We do not strive to succeed.

We often use here and there incorrectly after the words this and that. We often use here and there incorrectly after the words this and that.] For example, we say:

This here lesson is shorter than that there one was.

This should be: This lesson is shorter than that one.

Bring me that there book.
This here man will not listen.

These sentences should read:

Bring me that book.
This man will not listen.

Never use here and there in this manner.

Another common mistake is using most for almost.

For example, we say:

We are most there.
I see her most every day.

These sentences should read:

We are almost there.
I see her almost every day.

Most is the superlative degree of much, and should be used only in that meaning.

We often use the adjective real in place of very or quite, to modify an adverb or an adjective.

For example, we say:

I was real glad to know it.
She looked real nice.
You must come real soon.

Say instead:

I am very glad to know it.
She looked very nice.
You must come quite soon.

Really is the adverb form of the adjective real. You might have said:

I am really glad to know it.

But never use real when you mean very or quite or really.

We use the adjective some many times when we should use the adverb somewhat. For example, we say:

I am some anxious to hear from him.
I was some tired after my trip.

What we intended to say was:

I am somewhat anxious to hear from him.
I was somewhat tired after my trip.

Do not use what for when you mean why. Do not say:

What did you do that for?

Or worse still,

What for did you do that?

Say:

Why did you do that?

Do not use worse in place of more. Do not say:

I want to go worse than I ever did.

Say:

I want to go more than I ever did.

Observe the distinction between the words further and farther. Farther always refers to distance, or extent. For example:

He could go no farther that day.
We will go farther into the matter some other time.

Further means more. For example:

He would say nothing further in regard to the subject.

Never use good as an adverb. Good is always an adjective. Well is the adverb form. Good and well are compared in the same way, good, better, best, and well, better, best. So better and best can be used either as adjectives or adverbs; but good is always an adjective. Do not say, He talks good. Say, He talks well. Note that ill is both an adjective and an adverb and that illy is always incorrect.

Exercise 3

Correct the adverbs in the following sentences. All but two of these sentences are wrong.

Come quick, I need you.
The boy feels badly.
Give me that there pencil.
I am some hungry.
The people learn slow.
He never stopped for nothing.
What did you say that for?
This here machine won't run.
I make a mistake most every time.
Watch careful every word.
The man works good.
The tone sounds harsh.
I don't want no dinner.
I hope it comes real soon.
I want to learn worse than ever.
She looked lovely.
She smiled sweet.
He sees good for one so old.
She answered correct.
He won't say nothing about it.
I will be real glad to see you.
That tastes sweetly.
The man acted too hasty.
We had most reached home.
They ride too rapid.