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. From the given options (including an option that simply repeats the sentence), choose the option that seeks to correct the error. Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

During his youth, he used to work out ten times as much as he jogged, but today in his middle age he is doing less of it.

  1. but today in his middle age he is doing less of it

  2. but today in his middle age he is doing less of working out

  3. but today in his middle age he is doing little of it

  4. but today in his middle age he is doing less of either

  5. but today in his middle age he is doing little of both
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

What does ‘it’ refer to? Either work out or jogging, which (2) clarifies.

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 underlined part). Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

The manager delegated to each of his juniors, who was an effective administrator too, a task commensurate to his strength.

  1. The manager delegated to each of his juniors, who was an effective administrator too

  2. The manager, who was an effective administrator too, delegated to each of his juniors

  3. The manager was an effective administrator too, and delegated to each of his juniors

  4. The manager was an effective administrator too, who delegated to each of his juniors

  5. The manager was an effective administrator, who delegated each of his juniors
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Error of misplaced modifier. (2) clarifies who was an effective manager.

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.

Observing the changes in economy sweeping through the world it can be seen that they are spontaneous.

  1. Observing the changes in economy sweeping through the world it can be seen

  2. Having observed the changes in economy sweeping through the world, it can be seen

  3. Observing the changes in economy sweeping through the world can be seen

  4. Observing the changes in economy sweeping through the world we can see

  5. It can be seen observing the changes in economy sweeping away the world
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Corrects the error of dangling participle by introducing the subject 'we'.

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 underlined part). Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

Seldom have the mathematical theories of games been of practical use in playing real games, although our comprehension of the selection process from among variables may have enhanced.

  1. although our comprehension of the selection process from among variables may have enhanced

  2. although our comprehension of the selection process from among variables may have been enhanced

  3. although they may have enhanced our comprehension of the selection process from among variables

  4. although they may have led to enhance our comprehension of the selection process from among variables
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Error of parallel structure. 'Seldom have…they may have'.

Multiple choice

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

The whole idea of constructing and to decorate the puja mandaps is a part of skill and creativity.

  1. of decorating the puja mandaps are

  2. of decorate the puja mandaps are

  3. decorating the puja mandaps is

  4. No improvement

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

Corrects the error of parallel structure of gerund and subject-verb agreement.

Multiple choice

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

Having passed the examination, the college awarded him the best students medal.

  1. the college awarded him best students medal

  2. he was awarded the best students medal by the college

  3. the best students medal of the college was awarded to him

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

Error of misplaced modifier. Who passed the exam? The subject has to be placed with the modifying clause in the beginning.