This blog is exclusively for the aspirants who really want to know the rules of grammar, as we know the importance of English so we should practice daily to enrich our vocabulary. Someone has rightly said," No matter - What career path you pursue - Learning English can make you perfect."
Error Spotting MCQ Objective Questions with Answer
Error spotting plays a crucial role in competitive exams and directly affects an aspirant's score. To excel, one must have a clear command of grammar rules,including subject -verb agreement, tense usage, and the correct application of articles and prepositions. This article is written keeping these aspects in focus.
Why Error Spotting is Important
Error detection in competitive examination is a vital skill that can greatly impact a candidate's performance. A strong command of grammar helps you to solve questions accurately and quickly.
Key Grammar Areas to Focus On
Subject - Verb Agreement
Singular subject ➡️ singular verb
Plural subject ➡️ plural verb
Example:
The birds flies. (wrong)
The birds fly.(correct)
Tense Consistency
Use the same tense throughout the sentence.
Example:
The children are shouting and eat food. (wrong)
The children are shouting and eating food. (correct)
Articles
Use 'a' before consonant sounds
Use 'an' before vowel sounds
Use 'the' for specific nouns
Example:
He is a M.A in Political Science. (wrong)
He is an M.A in Political Science. (correct)
Prepositions
Use correct prepositions based on context.
Example:
They are sitting under shade of a mango tree. (wrong)
They are sitting in the shade of a mango tree, (correct)
Tips for Exam:
While reading the sentence try to identify the subject and verb first
then check the structure and tense in the sentence. Focus on common
errors like articles and prepositions. At last, eliminate wrong options.
Attempt error spotting questions first in exams.
Note: 👉 Revise rules daily
👉 Practice daily 15 - 20 (Error detection) questions.
👉Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error:
The jury members, as well as the secretary, is expected to look into the matter.
The jury members
as well as
the secretary
is expected to
look into the matter.
Ans: (4) The error is in the verb 'is'.
The jury members, as well as the secretary, are expected to look
into the matter.
Explanation: When two subjects are connected by phrases " along
with", " together with", "in addition to"
or " as well as" the verb must
agree with the first subject.
In this sentence, if we analyze:
First Subject: " The jury members" (plural)
Second Subject: "the secretary" (singular)
As the first subject (jury members) is plural, the verb must be plural (are)
Find the error:
If Raj had known about the traffic, he would reach the examination hall on time.
If Raj had known about the traffic,
he would reach
the examination hall
on time.
Ans: (2) he would reach
If Raj had known about the traffic, he would have reached the examination hall on time.
Explanation: The error is in the verb phrase, "would reach".
In the sentence, there is past perfect tense (had known) in the ' if ' clause, it is a Third Conditional sentence. The correct structure of such type of sentence is:
If + Past perfect (had known) + would have + Past Participle (reached).
In other words, Raj did not know about the traffic in the past, and that is why, hedid not reach the exam hall on time. So, the "would have + past participle(reached)"
structure is used to describe an unreal past result.
Find the grammatical error:
Stickers bindis which women apply on her foreheads, can cause white patcheson the foreheads.
Stickers bindis which
women apply on
her foreheads,
can cause white patches
on the foreheads.
Ans: (3) her foreheads
Stickers bindis which women apply on their foreheads, can cause white patches on the foreheads.
Explanation: Here "women" is plural, so the pronoun must be "their" not "her".
The sentence has a subject-verb agreement error and a grammatical error regarding pronoun usage.
Spot the error in the following sentence:
Excessive consumption of sugar can caused the risk of diabeties and many other
diseases.
Excessive consumption of sugar
can caused the risk of
diabeties and many other
diseases.
No error
Ans: (2) can caused the risk of
Excessiveconsumptionof sugar can cause the risk of diabeties and many other diseases.
Explanation:The modal verb "can" must be followed by the base form of the verb.
"Caused" is the past tense/ past participle form.
Find the error
He hired a rickshaw lest he would miss the bus.
He hired a
rickshaw lest
he would
miss the bus.
Ans: (3) he would
He hired a rickshaw lest he should miss the bus.
Explanation: The error is in the sentence is the use of the modal ' would ' after ' lest '
The word 'lest ' is followed by the modal 'should' means Lest + should - when "lest" is used to mean " for fear that "or " to avoid " there must be "should" or the base form
of the verb. If we write "would", "might " or "could" are grammatically wrong in this
context.
Identify the error
Each of the volunteers have performed well on the eve of the carnival.
Each of the
volunteers have performed
well on the
eve of the
carnival.
Ans: (2) volunteers have performed
Each of the volunteers has performed well on the eve of the carnival.
Explanation: Here, the noun is plural (volunteers) but the verb is singular,
because the subject is ' Each ' which refers to one person /thing at a time.
Explanation: The phrase " Neither of ....", the subject is treated as subject singular, because the word 'neither' refers to 'not one' of the two options. Therefore, the singular verb 'has' is used rather than the plural 'have'.
Fill in the blank
He walked to the Great India Place .... foot.
by
on
of
to
Ans: on
Explanation: 'On foot' is an idiomatic phrase. So, the use of 'on foot' is correct, not by foot.
Synonym of Latent
Talented
Primitive
Potent
Hidden
Ans: Hidden
Synonyms of Latent: Dormant, Inactive, Potential
Antonyms of Latent: Manifest, Active, Apparent
Antonym of Clinch
Settle
Clasp
Deal
Lose
Ans: Lose
Synonyms of Clinch: Secure, Confirm, Settle, Clasp Antonyms of Clinch: Release, Detech, Unlock, Open
Idiom
I didn't know that the criminal was on good terms with the police.
Idiom " On good terms" means:
Followed the rules
Agreed with them
Was friendly
Kept terms and conditions
Ans: Was friendly
Active & Passive:
change the following
Who has taken my spectacles?
By whom have my spectacles been taken?
By whom has my spectacles been taken?
By whom have my spectacles taken?
By who have my spectacles been taken?
Ans:(1) By whom have my spectacles been taken?
One Word Substitution
A person who is bad in spelling:
Linguist
Pendant
Calligraphist
Cacographist
Ans: (4)Cacographist
Synonym of 'Peril:
Benefit
Danger
Obstacle
Miracle
Ans: Danger
Other synonyms of peril: Hazard, Risk, Menace, Jeopardy
Antonyms of peril: Security, Surety, Protection, Safety
Antonym of Liability:
Treasure
Credible
Responsibility
Asset
Ans: Asset
Synonyms of liability: Downside, Debit, Hurdle, Drawback
Antonyms of liability: Edge, Control, Plus, Margin
Cloze Test
Fill in the blank:
He did internship .................. he could get a good job at a reputable institution.
because
though
unless
so that
Ans:(4) so that
He did internship so that he could get a good job at a reputable institution.
