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: Read the given sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

Many people believe that (1) / the nationalization of banks in (2)/ the 1960s have protected India (3)/ from the current financial crisis. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The error is in part (3): 'the 1960s have protected India'. The subject is 'nationalization' (singular), so the verb must be 'has protected', not 'have protected'. The correct sentence is 'Many people believe that the nationalization of banks in the 1960s has protected India from the current financial crisis.' The verb must agree with the subject 'nationalization', not with '1960s'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the given sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

RBI is in favour (1) / of amending currently (2) / policies governing operations of (3)/ foreign banks in India. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The error is in part (2): 'of amending currently policies'. The adverb 'currently' is incorrectly placed - it should modify the verb, not the adjective. It should be 'of amending current policies' (adjective modifying noun) or 'currently amending policies' (if emphasizing ongoing action). In this context, 'current policies' (policies currently in effect) makes more sense.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the given sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

The rise in prices of food items is (1)/ likely the cause of inflation (2)/ to exceed eight percent (3)/ during the next quarter. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The error is in part (2): 'likely the cause of inflation to exceed'. The phrase should be 'likely to cause inflation to exceed' or 'likely the cause of inflation exceeding'. As written, it's structurally incorrect. The adjective 'likely' should connect to an infinitive verb or the structure needs rearrangement. 'Likely the cause of inflation to exceed' doesn't form a coherent grammatical structure.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the given sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

These recently upgraded branch offices (1)/ have been fully computerised (2)/ and are connected to headquarters (3)/ to ensure proper monitoring. (4) / No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The error is in part (3): 'are connected to headquarters'. After 'have been fully computerised', the logical connector should be 'and' (coordinating conjunction), not 'to'. The sentence should read 'have been fully computerised and connected to headquarters'. Part (3) 'to ensure proper monitoring' is correct. Actually, re-reading carefully: The structure is 'have been fully computerised and are connected to headquarters' - this is correct. Wait, let me re-examine... Actually, the error is in part (3) - it should be 'and are connected' not just 'are connected' to maintain parallel structure with 'have been computerised'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the given sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

Despite the merger, (1)/ the airline has reported (2)/ sizeable losses and is unable (3) / to pay their employees. (4) / No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

'Airline' is a singular noun (one company), so the pronoun must be 'its' not 'their.' This is a pronoun-antecedent agreement error - the pronoun should match its singular antecedent. In formal grammar, a company or organization takes a singular pronoun.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

Illegal sand mining has become- (1) / a boom business fuelled (2) /by the ever-increasing demand (3)/ of the construction industry. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The statement suggests that illegal sand mining has become a ‘booming’ or ‘profitable’ or ‘flourishing’ business. In the given statement, the noun business needs to be qualified by an adjective ‘booming’. The correct phrase would be “booming business fuelled”.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

The bane of Indian hockey today is (1)/ lack of interest by the part of the public (2) / which in turn is fuelled by the perception that (3)/ it doesn't pay to take up the sport as a career (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The correct prepositional phrase is 'on the part of,' not 'by the part of.' We say 'lack of interest on the part of the public' to indicate something originating from or done by the public. 'By the part of' is not a standard English expression in this context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

In just two months after having (1)/ planted these, most of the plants have (2) / either dried up and are suffering (3)/ due to lack of maintenance. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The correlative conjunction 'either' must be paired with 'or,' not 'and.' The correct structure is 'either dried up or are suffering' to present two alternative possibilities. 'Either...and' is grammatically incorrect - it violates the rule that correlative conjunctions must work in pairs.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

Much is the inflow of travellers that (1)/ it is tough to book an air ticket (2)/ to Ahmedabad and the international flights (3)/ too are almost over-booked. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The statement means that the inflow of travellers is to such an extent that it is tough to book an air ticket. The word ‘much’ in the statement should be preceded by the adverb of degree ‘so’. Therefore, the correct phrase would be “So much is the inflow of travellers that”.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

Experts believe that a (1)/gradually decreasing infant mortality rate (2) / is lead to a proportionate (3)/ decrease in the size of our brains. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

'Gradually' is an adverb, but it's incorrectly modifying 'decreasing' (a verb form). To modify the noun phrase 'infant mortality rate,' we need the adjective 'gradual' not the adverb. The correct phrase should be 'a gradual decrease' or 'gradually decreasing rate' (rearranged).

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

In cities people don't (1)/ always have the time to (2)/ catch up with old friends or (3)/ spend times with their family. (4) / No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

After the verb 'spend,' we need a noun form, not a verb form. 'Spend times' is incorrect - it should be 'spend time' (uncountable noun). We 'spend time' as a noun phrase, not 'spend times' which would suggest multiple instances of time.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

In view of the intense cold wave conditions (1) / prevailing in the state, the government is declared (2)/ holidays in all the schools (3)/ for a period often days. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

The subject 'government' is performing the action, so the active voice 'has declared' is needed, not the passive 'is declared.' The sentence structure shows the government as the actor taking action, requiring active voice. 'Is declared' would imply someone else declared the government.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

As market leaders, (1)/we have always been at (2) / the forefront of creating awareness (3)/ between the public. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

'Between' is used for comparing two distinct entities, but 'the public' refers to a collective group. When creating awareness among a general population or collective group, 'among' is the correct preposition. 'Between the public' suggests two separate public groups, which doesn't fit the context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

The band have been (1)/ performing at many cause-oriented concerts (2) / to encourage people to come forward and (3)/ lend. their support to the noble cause. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

Here, ‘have’ should be replaced by ‘has’ because band is a singular entity.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

If the IPL has succeeded in drawing (1)/ an audience across the countiy, it is because (2)/ cricket has always had a strong foundation (3)/ and a dedicated audience. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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