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

(A) The rise and fall of the tide (B) are due to the lunar influence (C) and the gravitational (D) pull of other heavenly bodies. (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

When the nouns refer to same thing (or) same person, the verb used is always singular. Hence 'are' is to be replaced by 'is'.

Multiple choice

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

(A) Seldom had the little town (B) seen a (C) more (D) costlier funeral in its entire history. (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

Double comparatives and superlatives should be omitted. Therefore more' should be omitted.

Multiple choice

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

(A) The introduction of Tea and Coffee and (B) such other beverages (C) have not been without (D) some effect. (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 verb should be in agreement with its proper subject and not with a noun near it, hence have should be replaced by 'has'.

Multiple choice

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

(A) As a novelist, Jane Austen (B) is (C) superior (D) than Mrs. Henry wood. (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

Words like superior should always be followed 'to' instead of 'than'.

Multiple choice

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

(A) Of the two colours, Red and Green, the (B) latter is used (C) more widely in the painting for a (D) more realistic and authentic touch. (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

Latter is used for two objects, hence the sentence is correct.

Multiple choice

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

(A) Do not forget (B) his enthusiasm (C) who brought (D ) this movement so far. (E) No error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

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

The construction of the sentence is incorrect. Should be changed to “the enthusiasm of he”.

Multiple choice

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

He (A) has a wardrobe of wonderful carvings (B) and (C) which (D) has been in his family for generations. (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

'Which' in itself fulfills the purpose of a conjunction, hence it should not be after a conjunction, therefore 'and' is to be eliminated.

Multiple choice

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

(A) One cannot (B) be too careful (C) about what (D) he says these days. (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

The indefinite pronoun 'one' should be used throughout if ever used. Hence 'he' should be replace by 'one'.

Multiple choice

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

(A) One evening of (B) each week was set apart (C) by him for the reception of (D) whomsoever chose to visit him. (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

'Whom' is used with an object, therefore whomsoever should be replaced by whosoever.

Multiple choice

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

(A) He will succeed (B) to the title in the event of the death his (C) oldest brother (D) as it has been specified in the will. (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

Oldest is used for persons, hence it should be replaced by elders.

Multiple choice

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

The lad (A) was sent with (B) a verbal message (C) to the doctor (D) to reach home immediately. (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

'Verbal' means pertaining to wards, hence should be replaced by 'oral' which means delivered by mouth.

Multiple choice

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

(A) She requested (B) for my help yesterday (C) but alas! I was not there (D) to help her. (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

The verb requested should not be used with a preposition, therefore 'for' should be eliminated.

Multiple choice

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

(A) Of the three, tea, coffee and cocoa the (B) latter is his all time favorite (C) and he can have (D) it any time of the day. (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

'Latter' is used only when there are two items/ persons being compared, hence it should be replaced with 'last'.

Multiple choice

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

(A) We discussed (B) about the matter yesterday (C) and (D) still it is not clear to anyone. (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

The verb 'discuss' is transitive and should not be used with a preposition hence about should be eliminated.

Multiple choice

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

(A) From the two given (B) pairs of shoes, I think the(C) last one has a (D) more snug and a sleek fit. (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

'Last' is used when we have more than two objects, hence it should be replaced by 'latter'.