INSTRUCTIONS
- Read each sentence to find out whether there is/are any grammatical error/errors in it.
- The error/errors, if any, could be in one or more parts of the sentence.
- Identify all such errors and choose the best option among the given alternatives.
- If there is no error, choose option (e) No error. (Ignore punctuation errors, if any)
GIVEN SENTENCE
The Maharashtra government is (I) / like to argue before the court that it has (II) / taken steps with regard to solid waste management and (III) / is likely to complete the process within October 2019. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
The Maharashtra government is (I) / like to argue before the court that it has (II) / taken steps with regard to solid waste management and (III) / is likely to complete the process within October 2019. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
The Maharashtra government is (I) / likely to argue before the court that it has (II) / taken steps with regard to solid waste management and (III) / is likely to complete the process by October 2019. (IV)
EXPLANATION
Observing part (IV) gives us enough hints to identify the error in part (II).
Instead of the appropriate word ‘likely’, to indicate a possibility, ‘like’ is wrongly used. In part (IV), the error lies in the wrong usage of the preposition ‘within’, which should be used to indicate a stipulated period of time. Replacing it with ‘by’ corrects the error.
GIVEN SENTENCE
In the initial phase, the IITs failed to meet (I) / the urgent need of grasping the special aspirations and requirements (II) / of an independent India; they have failed to invent (III) / and innovate to address the country’s needs. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
In the initial phase, the IITs failed to meet (I) / the urgent need of grasping the special aspirations and requirements (II) / of an independent India; they have failed to invent (III) / and innovate to address the country’s needs. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
In the initial phase, the IITs failed to meet (I) / the urgent need of grasping the special aspirations and requirements (II) / of an independent India; they failed to invent (III) / and innovate to address the country’s needs. (IV)
EXPLANATION
It is mentioned that ‘in the initial phase, IITs failed to by appropriately
using the simple past tense. The phrase ‘in the initial phase’ indicates the time of the action. But in part (III), the given sentence erroneously uses present perfect tense. Changing it to simple past tense corrects the error.
GIVEN SENTENCE
A three-judge bench of Supreme Court (I) / led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra is awarded (II) / Mr Narayanan Rs. 50 lakh in compensation for (III) / the "mentally cruelty" he suffered all these years. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
A three-judge bench of Supreme Court (I) / led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra is awarded (II) / Mr Narayanan Rs. 50 lakh in compensation for (III) / the "mentally cruelty" he suffered all these years. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
A three-judge bench of Supreme Court (I) / led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra awarded (II) / Mr Narayanan Rs. 50 lakh in compensation for (III) / the "mental cruelty" he suffered all these years. (IV)
EXPLANATION
The error in part (II) is of unnecessarily using the helping verb ‘is’. Eliminating it corrects the error. In part (IV), using the adverb ‘mentally’ to modify the noun ‘cruelty’ is wrong. Hence the adjective ‘mental’ should replace ‘mentally’ to correct the error.
GIVEN SENTENCE
As the floodwaters recede gradually in (I) / Kerala and Karnataka, it is time to introspect on (II) / man-made factors that worsened the impact of (III) / the unprecedented raining in these two States. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
As the floodwaters recede gradually in (I) / Kerala and Karnataka, it is time to introspect on (II) / man-made factors that worsened the impact of (III) / the unprecedented raining in these two States. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
As the floodwaters recede gradually in (I) / Kerala and Karnataka, it is time to introspect on (II) / man-made factors that worsened the impact of (III) / the unprecedented rain in these two States. (IV)
EXPLANATION
All the other parts except (IV) contain no errors. Part (IV) commits an error of using the continuous form of the verb ‘rain’ as a noun. Although gerunds or ‘-ing’ forms of the verbs are used as nouns, no such form exists for the verb ‘rain’. Replacing ‘raining’ with ‘rain’ rectifies the error.
GIVEN SENTENCE
By using a small single-stranded DNA molecule (I) / that specifically bind to a single protein present in TB bacteria, researchers (II) / have been able to achieve 40-55% reduction (III) / in the bacteria’s ability to enter and infect human cells. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
By using a small single-stranded DNA molecule (I) / that specifically bind to a single protein present in TB bacteria, researchers (II) / have been able to achieve 40-55% reduction (III) / in the bacteria’s ability to enter and infect human cells. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
By using a small single-stranded DNA molecule (I) / that specifically binds to a single protein present in TB bacteria, researchers (II) / have been able to achieve 40-55% reduction (III) / in the bacteria’s ability to enter and infect human cells. (IV)
EXPLANATION
Although the sentence is long, there exists only one error, in part (II). The subject of the sentence is ‘a small single-stranded DNA molecule’, which is singular. But the verb ‘bind’ doesn’t agree with the singular subject, and hence is to be replaced with ‘binds’.
GIVEN SENTENCE
A reduction in spectrum charges and other levies (I) / should not be seen like a largesse being (II) / doled out to telecom companies (III) / but like a means to boost the overall Internet economy. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
A reduction in spectrum charges and other levies (I) / should not be seen like a largesse being (II) /
doled out to telecom companies (III) / but like a means to boost the overall Internet economy. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
A reduction in spectrum charges and other levies (I) / should not be seen as a largesse being (II) / doled out to telecom companies (III) / but as a means to boost the overall Internet economy. (IV)
EXPLANATION
Both the errors, in parts (II) and (IV) are similar and are to do with the use of ‘like’ in place of ‘as’. ‘Like’ is used to compare two things whereas ‘as’ is used to compare two actions. ‘Like’ in both the instances has to be replaced with ‘as’.
GIVEN SENTENCE
Several leading players, including Bumrah, (I) / will go into the Asia Cup aiming to consolidate their positions in (II) / ICC rankings and also use the multi-nation tournament (III) / to prepare for next year’s Cricket World Cup. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
Several leading players, including Bumrah, (I) / will go into the Asia Cup aiming to consolidate their positions in (II) / ICC rankings and also use the multi-nation tournament (III) / to prepare for next year’s Cricket World Cup. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
Several leading players, including Bumrah, (I) / will go into the Asia Cup aiming to consolidate their positions in (II) / ICC rankings and also use the multi-nation tournament (III) / to prepare for next year’s Cricket World Cup. (IV) NO ERROR
EXPLANATION
There is no error in the given sentence: the subject and the verb do agree; the tenses, prepositions and pronouns are appropriately used; the usage of , modifiers is correct.
GIVEN SENTENCE
Poorer access to Information Technology (IT) by (I) / rural women intensifies existing inequalities (II) / among women and men and also creates (III) / new forms of inequalities in education and health. (IV)
SPOT THE ERROR
Poorer access to Information Technology (IT) by (I) / rural women intensifies existing inequalities (II) / among women and men and also creates (III) / new forms of inequalities in education and health. (IV)
CORRECT SENTENCE
Poor access to Information Technology (IT) by (I) / rural women intensifies existing inequalities (II) / between women and men and also creates (III) / new forms of inequalities in education and health. (IV)
EXPLANATION
The error in part (I) is that of using the comparative degree adjective ‘poorer’ in place of the positive degree ‘poor’. The other error, in part (III), is to do with the use of ‘among’ instead of ‘between’ to compare only two groups - women and men.