English Language

Spotting Errors

4,734 Questions
All Noun, Article, and Determiner Usage 629 Subject-Verb Agreement 529 Preposition and Phrasal Verb Choice 510 Tense and Time Sequence 429 Pronoun Agreement and Case 415 Adjective and Adverb Form 372 Idiom and Confusable Word Choice 367 Verb Complement and Mood 347 Sentence Structure and Modifier Placement 296 Conjunction and Connector Choice 228 Parallel Structure 220 Redundancy and Negation 148

Spotting Errors Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, mark (5)

  1. He was brusque and ready,

  2. so he heartily welcomed the stranger

  3. and invited him

  4. to share whatever little he had.

  5. No error
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The characteristics exhibited in 'brusque and ready' and 'love' are opposite and cannot be joined by 'so'. We need the contrasting conjunction 'but' to emphasize the contrast between being 'rough and ready' and yet welcoming 'the stranger'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, select (5).

  1. It's not just minor things

  2. that decline with size,

  3. and major issues

  4. having significant economic impact.

  5. No error
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The key word 'not just' gives us the clue that a conjunction representing contrast needs to be used.  Hence, 'and' should be replaced by 'but'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, select (5).

  1. Our plans for the party are tentative at this point,

  2. but we are considering hiring

  3. a troupe of accordionists to play

  4. for our guests are eating dessert.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'While' should replace 'for' to convey the expression “as long as”.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, select (5).

  1. Of the two candidates for the president's post,

  2. they found the latter to be the most qualified

  3. because of his vast knowledge

  4. and experience in the field.

  5. No error
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is a comparison between two; so the comparative 'more' should be used in place of the superlative (most).

Multiple choice

Directions: Four parts of the sentence given below have been underlined. Identify the part having an error. If no part has an error, mark (5).

Scientists believe that (1) by altering the genetic composition of plants it is possible to develop specimens that are (2) resisting to (3) disease and have (4) increased food value. (5) No error

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Replace gerund form 'resisting' by adjective form 'resistant'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, select (5).

  1. Industrial pollution has seriously done

  2. and possibly irreversible damage

  3. to the marble walls and

  4. minarets of the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

“…done serious…” Both 'serious' and 'irreversible' are adjectives that qualify 'damage'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following sentence four words or phrases have been underlined. Only one underlined part is not acceptable in Standard Written English. Pick up the part (A) or (B) or (C) or (D). If there is no mistake, mark (E).

If (A) your holiday (B) coincided with the festival, (C) there is a (D) special offer available. (E) No Error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Replace 'coincided' with 'coincides'. The sentence is in present tense while 'coincided' is in past tense and its usage over here is incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following sentence four words or phrases have been underlined. Only one underlined part is not acceptable in Standard Written English. Pick up the part (A) or (B) or (C) or (D). If there is no mistake, mark (E).

The Town Hall of (A) 19th century and the (B) Marble Palace which is the (C) residence of the Royal family has a pair of domes (D) reputed to be the largest in the world. (E) No Error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article ‘the’ before 19th to point out the definite noun (century)

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following sentence, some parts have been underlined and labelled (A), (B), (C) and (D). Identify the part that contains an error. If there is no error in any part of the sentence, mark your answer as (E).

(A) Beside their wearability, (B) either as jewellery or incorporated into articles (C) of attire, beads possess the desirable characteristics of every (D) collectible. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Replace ‘beside’ with ‘besides’. ‘Beside’ means on the side of (in physical sense) and ‘besides’ means ‘in addition’.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following sentence, some parts have been underlined and labelled (A), (B), (C) and (D). Identify the part that contains an error. If there is no error in any part of the sentence, mark your answer as (E).

Farce is a (A) dramatic form that derives (B) much of its (C) humorous from (D) improbable characters and situations. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Replace adjective form ‘humorous’ by noun form ‘humour’.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following sentence, some parts have been underlined and labelled (A), (B), (C) and (D). Identify the part that contains an error. If there is no error in any part of the sentence, mark your answer as (E).

(A) College life is charming (B) and school life is dull; so (C) everybody prefers college life (D) to school life. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct usage is 'but school life is dull'.