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: A part of the sentence has been underlined and 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.

The academic council has requested the principal to mediate and help settle the dispute.

  1. and help settle the dispute

  2. and to help to settle the dispute

  3. and to help settle the dispute

  4. and helping to settle the dispute

  5. and help to settle the dispute
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Corrects the error in the parallel construction of infinitive. Should be 'to mediate and to help'.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The underlined part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (4), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

The Indian Cricket team’s win its first league match in the world cup generated a lot of euphoria.

  1. Having won its first league match in the world cup

  2. Winning its first league match of the world cup, Indian cricket team

  3. The Indian cricket team’s winning its first league match in the world cup

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

What created euphoria? The Indian team’s winning.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The underlined part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (4), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

Doctors sometimes have difficulty diagnosing pneumonic cold because the symptoms of this fatal disease are often quite similar to the common cold.

  1. is often quite similar to the common cold

  2. is often quite similar to that of the common cold

  3. are often quite similar to those of the common cold

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Error of incorrect comparison; symptoms can only be compared with symptoms.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined may have an error. The underlined part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (4), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

The computer I bought today is far more superior to the one I had bought last year.

  1. far superior to the one I had bought last year

  2. far superior than that of one I bought last year

  3. far more superior than that of one I had bought last year

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

It corrects the error of double comparative. Because ‘superior’ in itself has the force of comparative degree, so use of ‘more’ is superfluous.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence has been underlined and may have an error. The underlined part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (4), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

Consumers are beginning to take notice of Euro-II cars because they cause no air pollution and petrol without lead is used.

  1. cause no air pollution and use petrol without lead

  2. air pollution is not caused and petrol without lead is used

  3. causing no air pollution and using petrol without lead

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Error of shift from active voice to passive voice. First option ensures parallel construction.

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence has been underlined and may have an error. The underlined part has been rewritten under answer options (1) to (4), (1) being a restatement of the underlined part. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

The projections prepared in this study imply that growth will continue and to result in an even greater share of production.

  1. that growth will continue and result

  2. that growth will continue and would result

  3. as growth will continue and will result

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option 1 rectifies the error. In the sentence 'to' after 'and' is redundant and 'that' will follow 'imply'. In option 2, 'would' is redundant.  

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.

During audition, it is hoarse and throaty, but as such it is gentle and coherent.

  1. but as such it is gentle and coherent

  2. but as such they are gentle and coherent

  3. but as such are gentle and coherent

  4. but as such the voice is gentle and coherent

  5. but otherwise it is gentle and coherent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Error of sentence structure, the missing noun. What is hoarse and throaty? What is gentle and coherent?

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)

(1) Although it might take a laboratory analysis to determine the (2) exact proportions of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter in your garden soil, (3) feel the soil's texture to get a good idea of (4) what they are. (5) No error

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

Error of parallel structure. (3) incorrectly turns an assertive sentence into an imperative one.

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).

(1) When reminded of his obligation under the rules, (2) he complied with the requirement that all graduate students (3) in education (4) should write a thesis. (5) No error

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

Error of importance. Delete ‘should’. Here, 'should' implies a choice where there is no choice.