Grammatically Incorrect Indian-isms

    • admin@nie.com
    • Publish Date: Jan 17 2017 1:41PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Jan 17 2017 1:41PM
Grammatically Incorrect Indian-isms

We all know how the English language spoken in India is largely imperfect. It’s forgiven because “we are like this only”. But correct usage of grammar is important, more so, in formal conversations. Here are 10 common Indianisms to steer clear of


Indianism: I live here only.

Correct usage: I live here. 

Logic: You must have also heard “I eat this only” and “I am like this only” zillion times. The problem is it’s incorrect and ‘only’ is unnecessary and wasted here. 


Indianism: I will revert back.

Correct usage: I will revert.

Logic: Reverting in itself means that you will ‘get back’ to the respective person. The word ‘back’ is vestigial (an organ that is useless and has no function like the appendix in the human body is vestigial). 


Indianism: He is my most favourite actor. 

Correct usage: He is my favourite actor.

Logic: The dictionary meaning of favourite is “preferred to all others of the same kind.” When you have made your preference obvious by saying favourite, you really don’t have to add ‘most’.   


Indianism: She is very proudy.

Correct usage: She is very proud/She is arrogant. 

Logic: All of us have ranted at some point about a certain someone who is ‘proudy’. The problem? This word just does not exist in the English dictionary and is clearly an Indian invention. Do not use. 


Indianism: Carry more extra food with you.

Correct usage: Carry extra food with you. 

Logic: ‘More’ and ‘extra’, even if you are famished, should not be used in a single sentence. It’s either more or extra – don’t club them together. 


Indianism: They spent five lakhs for the wedding. 

Correct usage: They spent five lakh for the wedding. 

Logic: Whether it is one lakh or more than one, the word ‘lakh’ is written as singular, not plural. You can say ‘five lakh rupees’, not ‘five lakhs rupees’ or ‘five lakhs’.


Indianism: My maths is very weak. 

Correct usage: I am weak in maths.

Logic: “Maths is weak” sounds like the poor subject has become weak and you had nothing to do with it. On the other hand, saying that you are weak in a particular subject/skill is correct.


Indianism: I passed out from Modern School. 

Correct usage: I did my schooling from Modern School. 

Logic: Okay, “passed out” means losing consciousness. While this is another commonly-used Indianism, it is wrong English and even changes the complete meaning of the sentence. 


Indianism: Let’s order for burgers. 

Correct usage: Let’s order burgers. 

Logic: When you order something, you order it, you don’t ‘order for it’. So there you go – just order one or many burgers. 


Indianism: I gave my history exam yesterday. 

Correct: I took the history exam yesterday.

Logic: “Giving exam” is direct and literal translation, from Hindi to English: it’s wrong English. When you answer the exam paper, you are clearly “taking” an exam.

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Comments

Hiya Kilam global indian internatonal school

Very true.....

Manikanta Sree Narayana Vidya Bhavan

yes its ture they can avoid Grammatically mistakes

Harini MS NAGARJUNA VIDYANIKETAN

Interesting!

Annada Dash KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA -PANVEL

Very true

Afsha Saiyed PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

......Indianism😂😂😂😘😅😅 true!

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

Thanks for these tips!

Hemalatha.G Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary Scho

We have to be careful.

Aishwarya Iyer Deens Academy

This should spread to more and more people....even I did not know about the lakh and lakhs one. Thanks!

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