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 given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, mark (E) as your answer.

(A) They called at us yesterday (B) to discuss (C) a new incentive scheme (D) for all manual workers. (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

Called at is used for a place and not for a person, therefore it should be replaced by 'called on'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, mark (E) as your answer.

The reason (A) for the sudden explosion (B) in the aircraft, (C) had not been discovered till date and it (D) continues to baffle all. (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 on the whole follows a present and a continuous tense. Where as 'had' denotes past tense, it should be replaced by 'has'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, mark (E) as your answer.

(A) To keep the elephants (B) in good physical condition, the keeper trims their tusks with (C) a hacksaw every three years and oils their hides (D) once a year so that their skin won’t crack. (E) No error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence has no error.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, mark (E) as your answer.

Delivering (A) the mails (B) to small villages (C) in India was once a (D) difficult, perilous and exciting job. (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

The plural of mail is 'mail'. So, correct phrase is 'the mail to'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select option (E). While choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard English.

(A) Six weeks later, he (B) returned with (C) knowledge enough to teach (D) others the tricks of the trade. (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

Incorrect phrase is used in part C. The correct expression is 'enough knowledge'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, a sentence has been divided into 4 parts and labelled (A), (B), (C) and (D). The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is in underlined and lettered part. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct and mark it as your answer. If the sentence is correct, select choice (D) as your answer. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) Everyone admired the (B) golden brown colour of (C) his hairs. (D) No error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

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

'Hair'. The noun 'hair' is always used in the same form for both singular and plural purposes.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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). While choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English. (A) Expecting to be (B) severe chastised, I was (C) surprised by the (D) captain's calm response. (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

'Severly chastised' Adverb form should be used to modify the verb 'chastised' (meaning punished).

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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 your answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) Though Paul (B) worked hard to win the game (C) still he (D) lost it at the end. (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

'Though' and 'yet' are conjunctions, which are used in pair. Replace 'still' with 'yet'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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). While choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English. (A) Deep in the mountains, (B) there is (C) less chance for (D) anyone to get a cell-phone connection. (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

Little chance. The comparative form 'less' is not required in this case. 'Little' means next to none.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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 answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) Lot of new apparatus was (B) brought in the science laboratory (C)for the students to learn (D) through experimentation. (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

'Brought in' should be replaced with 'brought into' because 'into' denotes movement.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if any, is underlined and lettered. 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 your answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

The teacher (A) spoke so fast that the students (B) had to ask her (C) to repeat the entire chapter (D) again. (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

Avoid making unnecessary repetitions. 'Again' is not needed as 'repeat' has already been used.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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). While choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) The gold of Dubai (B) is better (C) than (D) any other country. (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

 than that of. We are comparing the gold of Dubai with the gold of any other country. So, ‘that of’ should be used.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is any, is underlined and lettered. 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 your answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

The officer (A) assured the (B) victim’s brother that he would keep his (C) words and would soon (D) get them justice. (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

'Word’ is used in the sense of one’s promise or to give assurance. It is never used in the plural form.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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 answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Stop (A) to write (B) as (C) the time is (D) over. (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

Writing. With the word 'stop' we use the verb in the gerund form, if the verb is in its first form.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. 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 answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

He (A) washed (B) neither his hands (C) or his face (D) before having his dinner. (E) No error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

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

Nor. Neither is always followed by “nor” and not with “or” so, (C) is the part that has the error.