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 below has an underlined part. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or syntax. There are five options that seek to correct the error (including an option that simply repeats the sentence). Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

We have our responsibilities towards common man and our plans should give priority for their problems.

  1. common man and our plans should give priority for their problems

  2. common man and our plans should give priority of their problems

  3. the common man and our plans should give priority to their problems

  4. the common man and our plans should be given priority towards their problems

  5. common man and our plans be given priority for their problem
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Common man' is a particular category and we always use a definite article before a specific category. So the usage should be 'the common man'. Also the preposition 'for' is inappropriate; it should be 'to'. Option (C) corrects the error of definite article and preposition. Since, common man is a collective noun, preferred possessive pronoun should nave been 'his', but there is no option with singular possessive. Hence, this is the best option.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has a part underlined. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or syntax. There are five options that seek to correct the error (including an option that simply repeats the sentence). Select the part that best represents the replacement for the part underlined.

The religious conflict of the 16th and the 17th centuries led up to the growth of religious consciousness in our period.

  1. the 16th and the 17th centuries led up to

  2. the 16th and 17th centuries led to

  3. the 16th and the 17th century led to

  4. the 16th and the 17th centuries led on to

  5. the 16th and the 17th centuries leads to
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 Corrects the use of definite article 'the' as well as the prepositional error. The definite article 'the' is used before the first adjective only. 'Led up to' is also rectified as 'led to'.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has an underlined part. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or syntax. There are five options that seek to correct the error (including an option that simply repeats the sentence). Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

In an age of no-holds-barred, the rich and poor of India is a part of global village and simply cannot break free from it.

  1. the rich and poor of India is

  2. the rich and poor of India are

  3. the rich and the poor of India are

  4. the rich and the poor of India is

  5. the rich and poor of India's is

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

Corrects the error of definite article (the poor) and subject verb agreement (are).

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has been divided into four parts and numbered (1) to (4). Identify the part having an error and mark it as your answer. If no part has an error, mark (5) as your answer.

The Durbar hall of (1) 19th century (2) Jai Vilas Palace, (3) residence of the Scindia family, located in the city, has a pair of chandeliers (4) reputed to be the largest in the world. (5) No error

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

As the reference is to the 19th century Jai Vilas Palace, the correct phrase should be '...the 19th century...'.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Edison was tireless in his persistence to change a subject into something else through trial and error unless he found the idea that worked.

  1. a subject into something else through trial and error unless he found the idea that worked.

  2. a subject into something else through trial and error unless he found the idea that work.

  3. a subject into something else through trial and error until he found the idea that worked.

  4. a subject from something else through trial and error unless he found the idea that worked.

  5. a subject into something through trial and error unless he found the idea that worked.

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

The sentence bears the error of conjunction. Use of 'unless' is incorrect in this sentence. 'Unless' is a conjunction of condition while the sentence implies 'till the time when'. This option corrects the error.

Multiple choice

Directions: Given below are three sentences. One, two or all the sentences may have error(s) of grammar or syntax or Standard English usage. Identify only the sentences that are incorrect.

(A) The endorsements signed by the top-notch sportsmen and artists earn far greater revenue for them than the money they earn from their actual professional pursuits. (B) I find the progress of the student far more impressive than what I had expected initially. (C) Better known as an exponent of the classical belle, the danseuse nevertheless gave an exceptional performance of folk dance.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only C

  4. Both A & B

  5. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Delete 'nevertheless' in C.

Multiple choice

Direction: The following question consist of a set of sentences or parts thereof. One or more of these sentences/parts contain an error from the view point of requirements of Standard English grammar and/or usage. Select the sentence(s)/part(s) having an error.

(A) And those howling for more were the lucky little (B) who managed to secure tickets which sold out in a record time; (C) there were many others milling outside the venue (D) hoping to land a pass even after half an hour into the concert.

  1. A & B

  2. Only B

  3. Both C & D

  4. Both A & D

  5. Both B & C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Replace 'little' by 'few' in A. Delete 'after' in D.

Multiple choice

Direction: The following question consist of a set of sentences or parts thereof. One or more of these sentences/parts contain an error from the view point of requirements of Standard English grammar and/or usage. Select the sentence(s)/part(s) having an error.

(A) The road passes through a forest to the famous monument. (B) Now that she lives alone, she cleans the windows thrice a week in summers and twice a week in winters. (C) He was fascinated by insects and the more he studied their habits, greater was his fascination. (D) If a man diligently seeks to come into contact with the best in the world, he will gain sagacity.

  1. A only

  2. C only

  3. A and B

  4. B and C

  5. A and D
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'The more' should be followed by 'the greater'.

Multiple choice

Direction: The following question consist of a set of sentences or parts thereof. One or more of these sentences/parts contain an error from the view point of requirements of Standard English grammar and/or usage. Select the sentence(s)/part(s) having an error.

(A) A pioneer of electric blues guitar, Guy was among the first players (B) who have experimented with a noisy feedback-laced approach to playing, (C) but was beaten to the punch by the 'British invasion', (D) owing to the short-sightedness of the record label he was with at the time.

  1. A & B

  2. Only B

  3. Both C & D

  4. Both A & C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Replace 'who have' in B by 'to have'.

Multiple choice

Direction: The following question consist of a set of sentences or parts thereof. One or more of these sentences/parts contain an error from the view point of requirements of Standard English grammar and/or usage. Select the sentence(s)/part(s) having an error.

(A) I have done my best; everything is now in the lap of God. (B) The accelerating pace of life in a metro has had a tremendous effect on the culture and life style of people. (C) At the summit talks the Foreign Minister discussed with his counterparts from the neighbouring countries India's future relations with those countries. (D) The stuff is no doubt good but I think Rs. 100 is too much to pay for it.

  1. A only

  2. C only

  3. A and B

  4. B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Incorrect phrase usage. The correct phrase is “in the hands of God”.