CHAPTER-35
363. Given below are some of the common errors which are generally committed
by Indian students in their everyday speech and writing :--
1. Errors in the Use of Nouns
Incorrect:--I have received no informations.
Correct:--- I have received no information.
Incorrect:-- That's a useful information.
Correct :--- That's a useful piece(bit) of information.
Incorrect :-- He gave us many good advices.
Correct:----- He gave us much good advice.
Incorrect:--- My circumstance is bad.
Correct:----- My circumstances are bad.
Incorrect:--- No pain was spared.
Correct:----- No pains were spared.
Incorrect:--- I eat vegetable.
Correct:----- I eat vegetables(or vegetable food).
Incorrect:--- She has sold all her furnitures.
Correct:----- She has sold all her furniture.
Incorrect:--- The sceneries of Kashmir are very charming
Correct :---- The scenery of Kashmir is very charming.
Incorrect:--- These news are good.
Correct:---- The news is good.
Incorrect:---I am learning a new poetry.
Correct:-----I am learning a new poem.
Incorrect:---The riches should help the poors.
Correct:-----The rich should help the poor.
Incorrect:---Her hairs are black.
Correct:-----Her hair is black.
Incorrect:---The house is built of stones.
Correct:-----This house is built of stone.
Incorrect:---The cattles are grazing in the meadow.
Correct:---- The cattle are grazing in the meadow.
Incorrect:---Peoples do not like to be kept waiting.
Correct:--- People do not like to be kept waiting.
Incorrect:--His trouser was torn.
Correct:--- His trousers were torn.
Incorrect:-Those scissors belongs to me.
Correct:-- Those scissors belong to me.
Incorrect:-That pair of scissors belong to me
Correct:---That pair of scissors belongs to me.
Incorrect:-He came with his family members.
Correct:-- He came with the members of his family.
Incorrect:-She gave me two dozens mangoes
Correct:---She gave me two dozen mangoes.
Incorrect:-The clock has struck six hours.
Correct:---The clock has struck six.
Incorrect:-- He will keep his words.
Correct:--- He will keep his word.
Incorrect:- He did many mischiefs.
Correct:- He did many acts of mischief.
Incorrect:--She greeted me with a stream of abuses.
Correct:-- She greeted me with a stream of abuse.
Incorrect:-- He gave me a ten rupees note.
Correct:--- He gave me a ten-rupee note.
2.Errors in the Use of Adjectives
Incorrect:--I like these kind of books.
Correct:----I like this kind of books. [Or,I like books of this kind.]
Incorrect:--I do not like those sort of people.
Correct:----I do not like that sort of people.[Or,people of that sort.]
Incorrect:--This is the best pen of the two.
Correct:----This is the better pen of the two.
Incorrect:--Of the two boys,he was cer-tainly the tallest.
Correct:----Of the two boys,he was certainly the taller.
Incorrect:--Her essay is worst than mine.
Correct:----Her essay is worse than mine.
Incorrect:--He is more cleverer than I am.
Correct:----He is cleverer than I.
Incorrect:--This is the most wisest plan.
Correct:----This is the wisest plan.
Incorrect:--The rose smells sweetly.
Correct:----The rose smell sweet.
Incorrect:--Bring me any water to drink.
Correct:----Bring me some water to drink.
Incorrect:--I did not find some girls here.
Correct:----I did not find any girls here.
Incorrect:--Little money is better than none.
Correct :--A little money is better than none.
Incorrect :--I spent little money I had.
Correct:----I spent the little money that I had.
Incorrect :--She has a little hope of passing this year.
Correct :--She has little hope of passing this year.
Incorrect :--I have only little time left with me.
Correct :--I have only a little time left with me.
Incorrect :--I have still few rupees left with me.
Correct :--I have still a few ruppes left with me.
Incorrect :--I read a few books I had.
correct :--I read the few books I had.
Incorrect :--He stayed here few days.
Correct :--He stayed here a few days.
Incorrect :--He has a dozen of cows.
Correct :--He has a dozen cows.
Incorrect :--The two men struck one another.
Correct :--The two men struck each other.
Incorrect :--They all helped each other.
Correct :--They all helped one another.
Incorrect :--This pen is superior than that.
Correct :--This pen is superior to that.
Incorrect :--Your son is junior than me.
Correct :--Your son is junior to mine.
Incorrect :--This man is senior than me.
Correct :--This man is senior to me.
Incorrect :--This wine is inferior than that.
Corerct :--This wine is inferior to that.
Incorrect :--This book is much interesting.
Correct :--This book is very interesting.
Incorrect :--Whole New York mourns his loss.
Correct :--The whole of the New York mourns his loss.
Incorrect :--This is a best book.
Correct :--This is a very good book.
Incorrect :--He is a worst boy.
Correct :--He is a very bad boy.
Incorrect :--Health is more preferable than wealth.
Correct :--Health is preferable to wealth.
Incorrect :--My all books are lost.
Correct :--All my books are lost.
Incorrect :--Always speak truth.
Correct :--Always speak the truth.
Incorrect :--This boy is more honest than all the boys.
Correct :--This boy is more honest than all the other boys.
Incorrect :--This paper has the largest circulation of any other daily paper.
Correct :--This paper has the largest circulation of all daily papers.
[Or,has a larger circulation than any other daily paper.]
Incorrect :--The population of Bombay is greater than Madras.
Correct :--The population of Bombay is greater than that of Madras.
Incorrect :--Not less than forty soldiers were killed.
Correct :--No fewer than forty soldiers were killed.
Incorrect :--He is elder than Ali.
Correct :--He is older than Ali.
Incorrect :--He is my oldest brother.
Correct :--He is my eldest brother.
3. Errors in the Use of Articles
Incorrect :--He is an European.
Correct :--He is a European.
Incorrect :--He is an University Professor.
Correct :--He is a University Professor.
Incorrect :--Dead man tells no tales.
Correct :--A dead man tells no tales.
Incorrect :--The man is mortal.
Correct :--Man is mortal.
Incorrect :--The gold is a precious metal.
Correct :--Gold is a precious metal.
Incorrect :--Fire broke out in the house.
Correct :- A fire broke out in the house.
Incorrect :--It cost me hundred rupees.
Correct :--It cost me a hundred rupees.
Incorrect :--I do not like that sort of a man.
Correct :--I do not like that sort of man.
Incorrect :--The God is a great.
Correct :--God is great.
Incorrect :--The honesty is the best policy.
Correct :--Honesty is the best policy.
Incorrect :--This is a best book on religion.
Correct :--This is the best book on religion.
Incorrect :--Poors are always with us.
Correct :--The poor are always with us.
Incorrect :--He is Kalidas of India.
Correct :--He is the Kalidas of India.
Incorrect :--Ganges is a sacred river.
Correct :--The Ganges is a sacred river.
Incorrect :--The Mount Everest is highest mountain in world.
Correct :--Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
Incorrect :--I have finished the third and fourth chapter of this book.
Correct :--I have finished the third and the fourth chapter
(Or,the third and fourth chapters) of this book.
Incorrect :--I spent all money I had.
Correct :--I spent all the money I had.
4.Errors in the Use of Pronouns
Incorrect :--I am wiser than him
Correct :--I am wiser than he.
Incorrect :--I am not as tall as him
Correct :--I am not as tall as he.
Incorrect :--I don't know who I can trust.
Correct :--I don't know whom I can trust.
Incorrect :--I know who you mean.
Correct :--I know whom you mean.
Incorrect :--Who are you talking about?
Correct :--Whom are you talking about?
Incorrect :--I met the boy whom you said won the first prize.
Correct :--I met the boy who,you said,won the first prize.
Incorrect :--I met the girl who you said you gave my book.
Correct :--I met the girl whom ,you said.you gave my book.
Incorrect :--One should keep his promises.
Correct :--One shoudl keep one's promises.
Incorrect :--Your separation distresses her.
Correct :--Separation from you distresses her.
Incorrect :--I and Bali are ill.
Correct :--Bali and I are ill.
Incorrect :--This bench is for me and him.
Correct :_-This bench is for him and me.
Incorrect :--My horse and yours are both lame.
Correct :--Your horse and mine are both lame.
Incorrect :--I have a pen .Do you want?
Correct :--I have a pen.Do you want it?
Incorrect :--The boy is not here.Shall I call?
Correct :--The boy is not here.Shall I call him?
Incorrect :--This is the bird who sings.
Correct :--This is the bird which sings.
Incorrect :--I thought it was her.
Correct :--I thought it was she.
Incorrect :--They said it was me.
Correct :--They said it was I.
Incorrect :--I supposed it to be she.
Correct :--I supposed it to be her.
Incorrect :-- Who's speaking?It's him.
Correct :--Who's speaking?It's he.
Incorrect :--Who's there?It is me.
Correct :--Who's there?It's I.
Incorrect :--Let you and I the battle try.
Correct :--Let you and me the battle try.
Incorrect :--Between you and I,he is a thief.
Correct :--Between you and me,he is a thief.
Incorrect :--Ali and myself went there.
Correct :--Ali and I went there.
Incorrect :--Each of the girls have their books.
Correct :--Each of the girls has her book.
Incorrect :--I am not one of those who believe in everything I hear.
Correct :--I am not one of those who believe in everything they hear.
Incorrect :--Neither of the charges were just.
Correct :--Neither of the charges was just.
Incorrect :--This is one of the best novel that has been printed this year.
Correct :--This is one of the best novels that have been printed this year.
Incorrect :--This is the only one of the books that are worth reading.
Correct :--This is the only one of his books that is worth reading.
Incorrect :--He is not such a man whom you depict to be.
Correct :--He is not such a man as you depict him to be.
Incorrect :--This is the same girl who came here yesterday.
Corerct :--This is the same girl that came here yesterday.
Incorrect :--This is the same pen which is yours.
Corerct :--This is the same pen as yours.
5. Errors in the Use of Verbs
Incorrect :--He had gone to Bombay yesterday.
Correct :--He went to Bombay yesterday.
Incorrect :--I lived in Poona since 1980.
Correct :--I have lived in Poona since 1980.
Incorrect :--I did not hear from you for a month.
Correct :--I have not heard from you for a month.
Incorrect :--Stephenson has invented the steam engine.
Correct :--Stephenson invented the steam engine.
Incorrect :--They have finished the work a week ago.
Correct :---They finished the work a week ago.
Incorrect :--The new theatre has been opened last Sunday.
Correct :--A new theatre was opened last Sunday.
Incorrect :--I had gone to Poona last week.
Correct :--We went to Poona last week.
Incorrect :--We had gone to the cinema last night.
Correct :--We went to the cinema last night.
Incorrect :--She died before her brother arrived.
Correct :---She had died before her brother arrived.
Incorrect :--I will go by the time she will come.
Correct :--I shall have gone by the time she comes.
Incorrect :--I am ill for two days.
Correct :--I have been ill for two days.
Incorrect :--I am here for the last two weeks.
Correct :--I have been here for the last two weeks.
Incorrect :--My son is ill all this week.
Correct :--My son has been ill all this week.
Incorrect :--I finished my work just now.
Correct :--I have finished my work just now.
Incorrect :--I lived here for the last three years.
Correct :--I have lived here for the last three years.
Incorrect :--I have come here this morning.
Correct :--I came here this morning.
Incorrect :--He was ill for two days,when the doctor was sent for.
Correct :--He had been ill for two days,when the doctor was sent for.
Incorrect :--I told him to go.
Correct :--I said him to go.
Incorrect :--He has ordered a wrist watch.
Correct :--He has ordered for a wrist watch.
Incorrect :--The ship was sunk.
Correct :--The ship was drowned.
Incorrect :--He would not listen to me.
Correct :--He would not hear me.
Incorrect :--The river has overflowed its banks.
Correct :--The river has overflown its banks.
Incorrect :--The murderer was hanged.
Correct :--The murderer was hung.
Incorrect :--They hung the pictures on the wall.
Correct :--They hanged the pictures on the walls.
Incorrect :--The hen has laid eggs.
Correct :--The hen has lain eggs.
Incorrect :--He lay under the tree.
Correct :--He laid under the tree.
Incorrect :--He never has talked,and never will talk,to that girl.
Correct :--He never has,and never will,talk to that girl.
Incorrect :--Four weeks is a good holiday.
Correct :--Four weeks are a good holiday.
Incorrect :--The King ,with his ministers,was present.
Correct :--The King, with his ministers,were present.
Incorrect :--Many a men were present there.
Correct :---Many men were present there.
[Or, many a man was present there.]
Incorrect :--His arguments are as follow.
Corerct :--His arguments are as follows.
Incorrect :--Mathematics require brains.
Correct :--Mathematics requires brains.
Incorrect :--The Committee has issued their report.
Correct :--The Committee has issued its report.
Incorrect :--The Arabian Nights are interesting book.
Correct :--The Arabian Nights is an interesting book.
Incorrect :--Everyone of the men were present.
Correct :--Every one of the men was present.
Incorrect :--Each boy and each girl were given a reward.
Correct :--Each boy and each girl was given a reward.
Incorrect :--He is one of those men who knows everything.
Correct :--He is one of those men who know everything.
Incorrect :--Mohan as well as Sohan have come.
Correct :--Mohan as well as Sohan has come.
Incorrect :--He kept himself inside the house.
Correct :--He kept inside the house.
Incorrect :--Enjoy in the garden.
Correct :--Enjoy yourself in the garden.
Incorrect :--He availed of the offer.
Correct :--He availed himself of the offer.
Incorrect :--She resigned to her fate.
Correct :--She resigned herself to her fate.
Incorrect :--She prided on her achievement.
Correct :--She prided herself on her achievement.
Incorrect :--I engaged myself in business.
Correct :--I engaged in business.
Incorrect :--I prepared myself for the journey.
Correct :--I prepared for the journey.
Incorrect :--Why she told that lie?
Correct :--Why did she tell that lie?
Incorrect :--When you will return home?
Correct :--When will you return home?
Incorrect :--Which book he likes best?
Correct :--Which book does he like best?
Incorrect :--I will receive my pay today.
Correct :--I shall receive my pay today.
Incorrect :--I think he shall pass.
Correct :--I think he will pass.
Incorrect :--I hope you shall pass.
Correct :--I hope you will pass.
Incorrect :--Thou wilt not steal.
Correct :--Thou shalt not steal.
Incorrect :--You had better not to remain here.
Correct :--You had better not remain here.
Incorrect :--She did nothing but to laugh.
Correct :--She did nothing but laugh.
Incorrect :--You need not to go there.
Correct :--You need not go there.
Incorrect :--Bring me a chair to sit.
Correct :--Bring me a chair to sit on.
Incorrect :--I want a pen to write.
Correct :--I want a pen to write with.
Incorrect :--I must have toys to play.
Correct :--I muts have toys to play with.
Incorrect :--I was pleased at him coming back.
Correct :--I was pleased at his coming back.
Incorrect :--I was amused at the dog running after her.
Correct :--I was amused at the dog's running after her.
Incorrect :--I depend upon Raman coming here.
Correct :--I depend upon Raman's coming here.
Incorrect :--All depends upon the house's being built.
Correct :--All depends upon the house being built.
Incorrect :--She persisted to do evil.
Correct :--She persisted in doing evil.
Incorrect :--He insisted to go there.
Correct :--He insisted on going there.
Incorrect :--Refrain to do evil.
Correct :--Refrain from doing evil.
Incorrect :--You are prohibited to eat this fruit.
Correct :--You are prohibited from eating this fruit.
Incorrect :--DO not prevent her to go there.
Correct :--Do not prevent her from going there.
Incorrect :--Abstain to take wine.
Correct :--Abstain from taking wine.
Incorrect :--I depend on you to go there.
Correct :--I depend upon your going there.
Incorrect :--I insisted on him to leave at once.
Correct :--I insisted on his leaving at once.
6. Errors in the Use of Adverbs.
Incorrect :--I am very surprised at the news.
Correct :--I am much surprised at the news.
Incorrect :--I am much sorry to hear this.
Correct :--I am very sorry to hear this.
Incorrect :--Honey is too sweet.
Correct :--Honey is very sweet.
Incorrect :--Of course she dances very well.
Correct :---She certainly dances very well.
Incorrect :--Only she drinks water.
Correct :---She drinks only water.
Incorrect :--He is much tired.
Correct :--He is very tired.
Incorrect :--I am much pleased to see you.
Correct :--I am very pleased to see you.
Incorrect :--It is too hot today.
Correct :--It is very hot today.
Incorrect :--I am very obliged to you.
Correct :--I am much obliged to you.
Incorrect :--She seldom or ever makes a mistake.
Correct :--She seldom or never makes a mistake.
Incorrect :--I am so tired.
Correct :--I am very tired.
Incorrect :--I haven't got none.
Correct :--I haven't got any.
7.Errors in the Use of Prepositions
Incorrect :--It has been raining from 8 o'clock.
Correct :--It has been raining since 8 o'clock.
Incorrect :--It has been raining since three hours.
Correct :---It has been raining for three hours.
Incorrect :--I have been here from last June.
Correct :--I have been here since last june.
Incorrect :--I have been suffering from fever from last night.
Correct :--I have been suffering from fever since last night.
Incorrect :--He will come after a week.
Correct :--He will come in a week.
Incorrect :--The examination will begin from Tuesday.
Correct :--The examination will begin on Tuesday.
Incorrect :--She is married with a rich man.
Correct :--She is married to a rich man.
Incorrect :--I prefer reading poetry than prose.
Correct :--I prefer reading poetry to prose.
Incorrect :--This book is different to that.
Correct :--This book is different from that.
Incorrect :--Attend your work.
Correct :--Attend to your work.
Incorrect :--Your conduct admits no excuse.
Correct :--Your conduct admits of no excuse.
Incorrect :--He resembles with his father.
Correct :--He resembles his father.
Incorrect :--They discussed about the matter.
Correct :--They discussed the matter.
Incorrect :--He ascended up the hill.
Correct :--He ascended the hill.
Incorrect :--He picked up a quarrel with me.
Correct :--He picked a quarrel with me.
Incorrect :--Due to the accident,I could not go.
Correct :--Owing to the accident,I could not go.
Incorrect :--I shall come before an hour.
Correct :--I shall come within an hour.
Incorrect :--I shall finish my work within 6 o'clock.
Correct :--I shall finish my work before 6 o'clock.
8. Errors in the Use of Conjunctions
Incorrect :--Unless you do not work harder you will fail.
Correct :--Unless you work harder,you will fail.
Incorrect :--He asked that what was my name.
Correct :--He asked what my name was.
Incorrect :--He said that,'I am ill'.
Correct :--He said,'I am ill'.
Incorrect :--He asked that how long you would be absent.
Correct :--He asked how long you would be absent.
Incorrect :--I asked her that whether her mother was at home.
Correct :--I asked her whether her mother was at home.
Incorrect :--He not only was fined but also expelled.
Correct :--He was not only fined but also expelled.
Incorrect :--Scarcely had he left than Ali came.
Correct :--Scarcely had he left when Ali came.
Incorrect :--No sooner he heard the news,he left.
Correct :--No sooner did he hear the news than he left.
Incorrect :--No sooner the bell rang the boys ran out of their classes.
Correct :--No sooner did the bell ring than the boys ran out of their classrooms.
Incorrect :--Though he worked hard but he failed.
Correct :--Though he worked hard, he(or,yet he) failed.
Incorrect :--He had hardly reached there than it began to rain.
Correct :--He had hardly reached there when it began to rain.
Incorrect :--Neither he or his sister came.
Correct :--Neither he nor his sister came.
9. Miscellaneous Errors
Incorrect :--I am,your's sincerely.
Correct :--I am,yours sincerely.
Incorrect :--I have an urgent business to do.
Correct :--I have an urgent piece of business to do.
Incorrect :--He has not yet replied my letter.
Correct :--He has not yet replied to my letter.
Incorrect :--Explain me this question.
Correct :--Explain this question to me.
Incorrect :--At what time do you sleep?
Correct :--At what time do you go to bed?
Incorrect :--He took his breakfast at six.
Correct :--He had breakfast at six.
Incorrect :--He forbade the boys not to talk.
Correct :--He forbade the boys to talk.
Incorrect :--Do not make noise.
Correct :--Do not make a noise.
Incorrect :--I have been studying from early morning.
Correct :--I have been studying since early morning.
Incorrect :--He said that he is well.
Correct :--He said that he was well.
Incorrect :--Sitting on a gate ,a wasp stung me.
Correct :--Sitting on a gate,I was stung by a wasp.
Incorrect :--I gave her two hundreds rupees.
Correct :--I have her two hundred rupees.
Incorrect :--I worked for one and a half hours.
Correct :--I worked for an hour and a half.
Incorrect :--French defeated English.
Correct :--The French defeated the English.
Incorrect :--This piece of muslin is five and a half metres long.
Correct :--This piece of muslin is five metres and a half long.
Incorrect :--Columbus invented America.
Correct :--Columbus discovered America.
Incorrect :--Edison discovered the phonograph.
Correct :--Edison invented the phono-graph.
Incorrect :--He refused having murdered her.
Correct :--He denied having murdered her.
Incorrect :--He denied to give an explanation.
Correct :--He refused to give an explanation.
Incorrect :--Divide this money among the two brothers.
Correct :--Divide this money between the two brothers.
Incorrect :--The four brothers always quarrelled between themselves.
Correct :--The four brothers always quarrelled among themselves.
Incorrect :--I saw a theatre last night.
Correct :--I saw a play last night.
Incorrect :--This is a worth seeing building.
Correct :--This is a building worth seeing.
Incorrect :--He will not listen what you say.
Correct :--He will not listen to what you say.
Incorrect :--A series of objections have been raised.
Correct :--A series of objections has been raised.
Incorrect :--He recommended for me to the Magistrate.
Correct :--He recommended me to the Magistrate.
Incorrect :--He does not obey to my orders.
Correct :--He does not obey my orders.
Incorrect :--He always kept his words.
Correct :--He always kept his word.
Incorrect :--This is such an honour which I never expected.
Correct :--This is such an honour as I never expected.
Incorrect :--The sceneries of Switzerland are very fine.
Correct :--The scenery of Switzerland is very fine.
Incorrect :--Being a hot day,I remained indoors.
Correct :--It being a hot day,I remained indoors.
Incorrect :--I request your favour of granting me three days' leave.
Correct :--I request the favour of your granting me three days' leave.
Incorrect :--The house's roof fell down.
Correct :--The roof of the house fell down.
Incorrect :--It is one of the most satisfactory proposal that has ever been made.
Correct :--It is one of the most satisfac-tory proposals that have ever been made.
Incorrect :--This is a long paper;have you completed?
Correct :--This is a long paper;have you completed it?
Incorrect :--I never had and never will do such a thing.
Correct :--I never have done and never will do such a thing.
Incorrect :--He had died yesterday by cholera.
Correct :--He died yesterday of cholera.
Incorrect :--This statement is quite different to what we expected.
Correct :--This statement is quite different from what we expected.
Incorrect :--Shakespeare is greater than any dramatist.
Correct :--Shakespeare is greater than any other dramatist.
Incorrect :--He is one of the best scholar that has ever lived.
Correct :--He is one of the best scholars that have ever lived.
Incorrect :--I have many works to do.
Correct :--I have much work to do.
Incorrect :--He went to the river for bathing.
Correct :--He went to the river to bathe.
Incorrect :--One must do his duty towards his fellow-man.
Correct :--One must do one's duty towards one's fellow-men.
Incorrect :--He is my oldest son.
Correct :--He is my eldest son.
Incorrect :--The hen has lain six eggs yesterday.
Correct :--The hen laid six eggs yesterday.
Incorrect :--He knows swimming.
Correct :--He knows how to swim.
Incorrect :--I want you to immediately go there.
Correct :--I want you to go there immediately.
Incorrect :--No sooner he fell ill,he died.
Correct :--No sooner did he fall ill than he died.
Incorrect :--I prefer coffee than tea.
Correct :--I prefer coffee to tea.
Incorrect :--He is addicted to drinking.
Correct :--He is addicted to drink.
Incorrect :--Good night,sir;I am much glad to see you.
Correct :--Good night,sir;I am very glad to see you.
Incorrect :--He says that his brother is sick.
Correct :--He says that his brother is ill.
Incorrect :--There is no place in this compartment.
Correct :--There is no room in this compartment.
Incorrect :--He prayed God for his mercy..
Correct :--He prayed to God for His mercy.
Incorrect :--The examination will begin from May 15.
Correct :-The examination will begin on May 15.
Incorrect :--Many a men do not do their duty towards their country.
Correct :--Many a man does not do his duty towards his country.
Incorrect :--He wore his hat and left the room.
Correct :--He put on his hat and left the room.
Incorrect :--My secretary usually opens the post.
Correct :--My secretary usually opens the mail.
Incorrect :--The majority of boys was caught copying.
Correct :--The majority of boys were caught copying.
Incorrect :--This fruit tastes bitterly.
Correct :--This fruit tastes bitter.
Incorrect :--Was the note written with pencil or with ink?
Correct :--Was the note written in pencil or in ink?
