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 sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

In a (A) psychological description of computer intelligence, (B) three related adjectives come (C) to mind: single minded, (D) minded in a literal manner and simpleminded. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

Literal Minded. The sentence lacks parallelism.  All the adjectives stated should be in the same grammatical format.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) The universe is conceived (B) as a thorough going dualistic affair in which (C) matter and spirit, good and evil were not only opposite in nature but forever at war with (D) each other. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

One another. Since we are referring to more than two things (matter and spirit; good and evil); so, one another' should be used.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Students (A) will be anxious to discover the uses (B) that can be made of the objects (C) about whom they have (D) studied for the satisfaction of the human needs. (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

About which. Incorrect relative pronoun is used. To refer to non - living things (Objects) we use the relative pronoun which.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

He was (A) not only a great thinker (B) and a prolific writer, and for (C) this reason it is impossible to give a brief outline of (D) a few major events in his life and writings. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

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

But also. Conjunctions “Not only ....... but also” are used together. They are correlative conjunctions.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) The formula may (B) represent 1 molecule (C) of the substance if (D) they exists in the molecular form. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

It. The sentence lacks Subject- Pronoun agreement.  Since we are taking about a singular subject 'the formula' so, we will use a singular pronoun 'it' to refer to it.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) In the life and (B) works of Plato, Greek philosophy (C) experienced one of its (D) greatest achievement. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Greatest achievements. The expression “ One of the ........” is always followed by a plural noun.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

In order to (A) improving your SAT score (B) try to go through (C) all the strategies given in (D) your SAT book. (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

Improve.  In the infinitive form we make use of 1st form of verb.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

People (A) from many different nations and races (B) have written accounts and (C) have been evaluating his works, and they will continue to do so (D) for generations to come. (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

The sentence lacks parallelism. Correct expression: Have written ... have evaluated

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

He intended (A) majoring in linguistics but (B) changed to drama (C) after he fell (D) in love with acting. (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

To major. With the word 'intended'  we make use of the verb in the infinitive form and not the gerund form.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Arbour (A) was born in High Sierras (B) thirty five years (C) before and has lived there (D) ever since. (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

Ago, incorrect word usage is done. 'Ago' should be used to indicate something which is gone by and it is used following the noun.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) Some critics of contemporary music (B) maintain that quality lasts and that (C) most of what is produced today musically disappears (D) highly quickly. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

Very quickly. Incorrect word usage is done. 'Very' is used as an intensive, it means exceedingly.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) The railroads are criticized (B) for their part in (C) settling the west (D) too rapid with its resultant economic unrest. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

Too rapidly.  Adverb form should be used to modify the verb 'settling'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Philosophy and education (A) have been (B) so closely related in Dewey's thought that (C) it is scarcely possible to (D) consider one part from the other. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

'To consider one apart from' wrong word usage is made. 'Apart' means separate whereas 'part' means a portion.  First sense is being conveyed so, D is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

A National park Ranger (A) must have a (B) deep interest in preserving and (C) to protect the wildlife (D) of our parks. (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

Protecting. Sentence lacks parallelism. Rewriting as .....preserving and protecting..... eliminates this problem. 

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Skepticism (A) concerning any meaningful interpretation (B) of history (C) has appeared at (D) various time and places in the history of western thought. (E) No error.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

Various times. The plural form of the noun 'time' should be used on account of the plural quantifier 'various'.