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 been divided into four parts. Identify the part having an error. If no part has an error, mark (5).

Contemporary film directors, some of (1) them write the scripts for, act in, and (2) even produce own (3) motion pictures, are (4) thereby assuming ever more control of their art. (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

Replace objective pronoun 'some of them' by relative pronoun 'some of whom'.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence has been underlined and may have an error. The part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

In a census conducted recently, it was found that the average Indian makes less than Rs 100 per day, eats no more than two meals, drinking 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathing 100m3 of polluted air everyday.

  1. drinking 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathing 100m3 of polluted air everyday

  2. drinks 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathes 100m3 of polluted air everyday

  3. drank 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathed 100m3 of polluted air everyday

  4. drinks 8 litres of polluted water and breathe 100m3 of polluted air everyday
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Error of parallel construction. 'Eats…drinks…breathes'.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence has been underlined and may have an error. The part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

To say that the graceful dance movements of Helen were less enchanting than those of Matondkar is doing a grave injustice to both the dancers.

  1. less enchanting than those of Matondkar is doing a grave injustice to both the dancers

  2. any less enchanting than those of Matondkar is doing a grave injustice to both of them

  3. less enchanting than those of Matondkar is to do a grave injustice to both the dancers

  4. less enchanting than that of Matondkar is doing a grave injustice to both the dancers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Error of parallel construction. 'To say…to do'.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The sentence has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

It is the recommendation of many psychologists that a learner uses mental images to associate words and remember names.

  1. that a learner uses mental images to

  2. that a learner should use mental images to

  3. that mental images are used to

  4. that a learner must use mental images to

  5. for a learner to use mental images to
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is just a recommendation so, option 2 is correct as it has the word 'should'

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The sentence has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

Before considering a candidate for the post of sub-editor, he must have a degree in journalism.

  1. Before considering a candidate for the post of sub-editor, he must have

  2. To consider a candidate for the post of sub-editor, he must have

  3. We will not consider a candidate for the post of sub-editor, if he does not have

  4. We will not consider a candidate for the post of sub-editor, without being

  5. Before considering a candidate for the post of sub-editor, one should have
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Error of misplaced modifier and subject is missing from the sentence..

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The sentence has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

To invest wisely for the future, the fixed deposits provide a safe way for investors.

  1. To invest wisely for the future

  2. As a wise investment for the future

  3. Investing wisely for the future

  4. wise investment for the future

  5. Having invested wisely for the future, one must determine that
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Error of structure.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The sentence has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

Being a member of the team, he could not escape from the responsibility.

  1. Being a member of the team

  2. Being that he is also a member of the team

  3. Being as he is a member of the team

  4. A member of the team that he is

  5. Due to the fact that he is a member of the team
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence given below may have an error. The sentence has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (5), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the sentence.

It is not necessary that you must take an entrance examination to be admitted to a university.

  1. It is not necessary that you must take an entrance examination to be admitted to a university.

  2. It is not necessary that you take an entrance examination to be admitted to a university.

  3. It is not necessary for you to take an entrance examination to be admitted to a university.

  4. It is not necessary that you must take an entrance examination for admission to a university.

  5. An entrance examination is not necessary to be taken to be admitted to a university.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Error of importance. Delete 'must'.