Error Spotting test is asked in the Verbal Ability Section of General English. The questions asked in the error spotting test have grammatical errors in them. The candidate is supposed to find the error correctly. Generally one question has one error. But at times there can be multiple. Despite being simple to understands, it is difficult to tackle this question without practice. However, if with sufficient practice and by using the tips given below, any candidate can ace (solve) this section. Spotting errors in english is one of the important topics. Here we have some Spotting error bits based on all grammar concepts.
Read each sentence to find out if there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error the answer is D.
1. Although it was hot (A)/ but Surya was wearing (B)/ a woollen suit. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: The error lines in the use of conjunction but in section (B) Although is always followed by yet and never by but. So, the correct sentence will be: Although it was hot yet Surya was wearing a woollen suit.
Ans: B
2. We were all very happy (A)/ at Mr.Sonu being awarded (B)/ the Noble prize. (C)/ No error.(D)
Explanation: There is no error in this sentence.
Ans: D
3. The Bible preaches (A)/that we should (B)/ love each other. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: The term each other is used when only two persons are involved. When the persons involved are more than two, we use the term, one another. Thus, the correct sentence will be: "The Bible preaches that we should love one another."
Ans: C
4. I saw him leaning over the wall (A)/ with a cigarette (B)/ between his lips. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Lean over is not a correct use. The correct use is, lean against. Lean against means, to rest on something in a sloping position for support. The person referred to in the sentence must be using the wall for support. Hence, the correct sentence will be: "I saw him leaning against the wall with a cigarette between his lips.'
Note: Even, lean upon carries the same meaning.
Mark the following example: "The old man leant upon his stick." However, it will be incorrect to use lean upon in the sentence given for correction. The reason being that when a person leans with his back pressing against something, it is a case of lean against. One can lean upon one's stick, arm, elbow, etc. but not on a wall.
Ans: A
5. The matter has been discussed (A)/ both in the press (B)/ and the platform. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Press and platform are two different media. As such, one preposition cannot serve the purpose of both. In section (B), we have a preposition which connects noun press to the verb discussed but in section (C) there is no preposition before the noun platform to justify its connection to the verb. Hence, we should use a preposition before the platform. We should use at before the platform to get the desired meaning. So, the correct sentence will be: at the platform."
Note: Press refers to newspapers and platform refers to public meetings.
Ans: C
6. Pratibha Patil (A)/ is elected (B)/ the President of India. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write, “has been” in the place of “is” in section (B). The correct sentence will be: "Pratibha Patil has been elected the President of India."
Ans: B
7. Because it rained (A)/ in torrents (B)/ therefore, there were heavy floods. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Remove therefore from section (C). Because and therefore should not be used together in the same sentence because both carry the same meaning.
Note: Because = For the reason that. Therefore = For that reason. So, the correct sentence will be: "Because it rained in torrents, there were heavy floods."
Ans: C
8. Not only he beat me (A)/ but also (B)/ abused me also. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write, “he not only beat me” in place of, “not only he beat me”. In fact, the sentence shows the actions of one man.
In such a case, the formula is :
S + not only + 1st action + but also + 2nd action When we apply the above formula, we get the sentence as follows: "He not only beat me but also abused me."
Ans: A
9. I never have (A)/ and will never disobey (B)/ my elders. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write, “I have never disobeyed” in section (A) in place of “I never have”. In fact, Grammar prescribes that when two clauses are joined by and, the verb in both the clauses must be independent. The given sentence can be
written as follows:
(a) I have never and
(b) will never disobey my elders. In section (B), the helping verb “will” is followed by the verb disobey, but in section (A), the helping verb “have” is not followed by any verb. Hence, it is a section which needs a verb. So, we can complete the sentence by using disobeyed after never and get the required sense. So, the correct sentence will be: "I have never disobeyed and will never disobey my elders."
Note: In such cases, the verb used after “will” or “shall” is changed to its third form to be used in the first clause.
Ans: A
10. One must put it (A)/ in exactly the right place (B)/ in relation with the other words. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write “to” in place of “with” in section (C). Mark the following difference: Relation with = To have links or contact with people. It refers to dealing.
Relation to = Connection
Ans: C
11. Ram never goes (A)/ in an arrow's flight (B)/of her. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write “within an arrow's flight” in place of “in arrow's flight” in section (B). The correct sentence will be: "Ram never goes within an arrow's flight of her."
Ans: B
12. Good night! (A)/ I am very glad to see (B)/ you again after a long time. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write “good evening” (if it is evening) in place of “good night” in section (A). Good night is a parting salutation. So, the correct sentence will be: "Good evening. I am very glad to see you again after a long time."
Ans: A
16. The patient died (A)/ before (B)/ the doctor arrived. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: In this sentence, the tense has not been properly used. Please note the following rule for understanding how to use tense in such sentences. If two actions in a sentence are shown happening in the past one after the other, the principal action should be in the past perfect whereas the subordinate action should be in past indefinite. In the given sentence, the principal action is contained in section A. However, its use is wrong. It should be, “the patient had died”. So, the correct sentence will be: "The patient had died before the doctor arrived."
Ans: A
17. Each of these books (A)/ are very useful (B)/ to college students. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Error lies in the use of plural verb “are” in section B. Each is a distributive pronoun. It means, two or more persons or things taken one by one. As such, it is always followed by the singular form of the verb. So, the correct sentence will be: "Each of these books is very useful to college students." Mark the following example: Each of these students have paid his fees. (Incorrect) Each of these students has paid his fees. (Correct)
Ans: B
18. She is more beautiful (A)/ than (B)/ anyone of her two sisters. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Use “either” in place of “anyone”. The correct sentence will be: "She is more beautiful than either of her two sisters."
Ans: C
19. He is the same man (A)/ who has helped us (B)/ in our work. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write “that” in place of “who” in section B that is a relative pronoun. A relative pronoun is one that refers to a noun or pronoun, and joins two sentences. In this way, it serves the purpose of both a pronoun and a conjunction. In the given sentence, that refers to the person who has helped the subject. So, the correct sentence will be: "He is the same person that has helped us in our work."
Ans: B
20. He was taking exercise for three hours (A)/ before he (B)/ was called by his father. (C)/ No error. (D)
Explanation: Write “had been taking” in place of “was taking”. Please refer to the explanation of sentence No. 16 for understanding why in section A “was taking” has been corrected to “had been taking”. The correct sentence will be: "He had been taking exercise for three hours before he was called by his father."
Ans: A
