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Error Spotting & Sentence Correction

Find and fix grammar errors.

45 solved questions · 15 easy · 20 medium · 10 hard

Take a 10-question quiz on Error Spotting & Sentence Correction, no login

Shortcuts & formulas

  • Subject-verb agreement: each, either, neither, everyone take singular verbs; the number of = singular, a number of = plural.
  • Uncountable nouns (news, furniture, information, advice) take singular verbs and no plural form.
  • Fixed prepositions: good at, prefer to, senior to, discuss (no preposition), look forward to + -ing.
  • Time words: since + point of time, for + period of time.
  • Pairs: hardly ... when, no sooner ... than, not only ... but also, although ... (no but).
  • Conditionals: if + past perfect -> would have + past participle; wish takes were.
  • Use fewer for countable, less for uncountable; among for three or more, between for two.
  • A modifying phrase at the start must match the subject that follows it.

Solved examples

Try each one first, then open the answer and the step-by-step solution.

Easy questions

Q1.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The teacher told to us to submit the notes.

  1. Atold to us
  2. BThe teacher
  3. Cto submit
  4. Dthe notes.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. told to us

Solution

The error is in: "told to us". Tell takes a direct object without to. Correction: told us Answer: told to us

Q2.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. She [has went] to the market an hour ago.

  1. Ahas gone
  2. Bwent
  3. Cis going
  4. Dhas been went
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. went

Solution

An hour ago needs the simple past, and went is the past form. Correct replacement: went Answer: went

Q3.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. We discussed about the plan in the meeting yesterday.

  1. AWe discussed
  2. Babout the plan
  3. Cin the meeting
  4. Dyesterday.
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. about the plan

Solution

The error is in: "about the plan". Discuss is followed directly by its object, without about. Correction: the plan Answer: about the plan

Q4.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. He [look] very tired today.

  1. Alooking
  2. Bhave look
  3. Clook at
  4. Dlooks
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. looks

Solution

Third person singular takes looks. Correct replacement: looks Answer: looks

Q5.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The news were broadcast at nine o'clock.

  1. Awere
  2. BThe news
  3. Cbroadcast
  4. Dat nine o'clock.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. were

Solution

The error is in: "were". News is uncountable and takes a singular verb. Correction: was Answer: were

Q6.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. I have been living in Pune since five years. Now I like it.

  1. AI have been living
  2. Bsince five years.
  3. Cin Pune
  4. DNow I like it.
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. since five years.

Solution

The error is in: "since five years.". Use for with a period of time and since with a point of time. Correction: for five years. Answer: since five years.

Q7.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. She don't like tea without sugar.

  1. Alike
  2. Btea
  3. CShe don't
  4. Dwithout sugar.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. She don't

Solution

The error is in: "She don't". The subject she is third person singular, so use doesn't. Correction: She doesn't Answer: She don't

Q8.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Neither of the two answers are correct.

  1. ANeither of the two
  2. Banswers
  3. Ccorrect.
  4. Dare
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. are

Solution

The error is in: "are". Neither is singular and takes is. Correction: is Answer: are

Q9.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. The children [is playing] in the park.

  1. Awas playing
  2. Bare playing
  3. Cis played
  4. Dhas playing
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. are playing

Solution

Children is plural, so use are. Correct replacement: are playing Answer: are playing

Q10.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. There [is] many mistakes in your essay.

  1. Ahas
  2. Bwas
  3. Care
  4. Dhave
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. are

Solution

Mistakes is plural, so use are. Correct replacement: are Answer: are

Q11.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. My brother is more taller than I am.

  1. Ais more taller
  2. BMy brother
  3. Cthan
  4. DI am.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. is more taller

Solution

The error is in: "is more taller". Taller is already comparative; do not add more. Correction: is taller Answer: is more taller

Q12.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Ravi gave an useful suggestion to the team.

  1. ARavi gave
  2. Bsuggestion
  3. Can useful
  4. Dto the team.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. an useful

Solution

The error is in: "an useful". Useful starts with a consonant sound (yoo), so use a. Correction: a useful Answer: an useful

Q13.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. I am looking forward [to meet] you.

  1. Ato meeting
  2. Bfor meeting
  3. Cat meet
  4. Din meeting
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. to meeting

Solution

Look forward to is followed by a gerund. Correct replacement: to meeting Answer: to meeting

Q14.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Each of the students have submitted the assignment on time.

  1. AEach of the students
  2. Bthe assignment
  3. Chave submitted
  4. Don time.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. have submitted

Solution

The error is in: "have submitted". Each is singular, so it takes a singular verb. Correction: has submitted Answer: have submitted

Q15.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. She is good in mathematics and science.

  1. Agood in
  2. BShe is
  3. Cmathematics
  4. Dand science.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. good in

Solution

The error is in: "good in". The correct preposition is good at. Correction: good at Answer: good in

Medium questions

Q16.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. I [would rather to stay] home than go out.

  1. Awill rather to stay
  2. Bwould rather staying
  3. Cwould rather stay
  4. Dhad rather to stay
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. would rather stay

Solution

Would rather is followed by a bare infinitive. Correct replacement: would rather stay Answer: would rather stay

Q17.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. He is [too intelligent that] he can solve it easily.

  1. Avery intelligent that
  2. Btoo intelligent to
  3. Cso intelligent that
  4. Dsuch intelligent that
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. so intelligent that

Solution

So ... that expresses result; too is followed by to. Correct replacement: so intelligent that Answer: so intelligent that

Q18.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. The manager, along with his team, [are] attending the seminar.

  1. Ais
  2. Bwere
  3. Chave been
  4. Dbe
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. is

Solution

The subject is manager; along with does not make it plural. Correct replacement: is Answer: is

Q19.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Please return back the book by Monday.

  1. APlease
  2. Bthe book
  3. Creturn back
  4. Dby Monday.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. return back

Solution

The error is in: "return back". Return already means give back, so back is redundant. Correction: return Answer: return back

Q20.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Although it was raining, but the match continued.

  1. AAlthough it was raining,
  2. Bthe match
  3. Ccontinued.
  4. Dbut
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. but

Solution

The error is in: "but". Although and but should not be used together. Correction: (delete but) Answer: but

Q21.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. She suggested me to take a taxi.

  1. Ame to
  2. BShe suggested
  3. Ctake a
  4. Dtaxi.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. me to

Solution

The error is in: "me to". Suggest is not followed by object + to infinitive; say suggested that I take. Correction: that I Answer: me to

Q22.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Mathematics are my favourite subject.

  1. AMathematics
  2. Bare
  3. Cmy favourite
  4. Dsubject.
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. are

Solution

The error is in: "are". Names of subjects ending in s (mathematics, physics) are singular. Correction: is Answer: are

Q23.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Between the three sisters, Meena is the eldest.

  1. ABetween the three sisters,
  2. BMeena
  3. Cis
  4. Dthe eldest.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. Between the three sisters,

Solution

The error is in: "Between the three sisters,". Use among for more than two, between for two. Correction: Among the three sisters, Answer: Between the three sisters,

Q24.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. She is [more smarter] than her sister.

  1. Amost smarter
  2. Bsmarter
  3. Cmuch more smart
  4. Dmore smart
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. smarter

Solution

Smart takes the -er comparative; never use more with it. Correct replacement: smarter Answer: smarter

Q25.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. I prefer tea than coffee.

  1. AI prefer
  2. Btea
  3. Cthan
  4. Dcoffee.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. than

Solution

The error is in: "than". Prefer is followed by to, not than. Correction: to Answer: than

Q26.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Hardly had he reached the station than the train left.

  1. AHardly had he
  2. Breached the station
  3. Cleft.
  4. Dthan the train
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. than the train

Solution

The error is in: "than the train". Hardly is followed by when, not than. Correction: when the train Answer: than the train

Q27.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. If I would have known the answer, I would have told you.

  1. AIf I
  2. Bthe answer,
  3. Cwould have known
  4. DI would have told you.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. would have known

Solution

The error is in: "would have known". In a third conditional, the if-clause uses had + past participle. Correction: had known Answer: would have known

Q28.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. He is one of the best player in the team.

  1. Abest player
  2. BHe is
  3. Cone of the
  4. Din the team.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. best player

Solution

The error is in: "best player". One of the is followed by a plural noun. Correction: best players Answer: best player

Q29.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The boy whom won the prize is my cousin.

  1. AThe boy
  2. Bwhom
  3. Cwon the prize
  4. Dis my cousin.
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. whom

Solution

The error is in: "whom". The pronoun is the subject of won, so use who. Correction: who Answer: whom

Q30.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. [Despite of] the rain, we went for a walk.

  1. AIn spite
  2. BDespite
  3. CDespite for
  4. DAlthough of
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. Despite

Solution

Despite stands alone; in spite takes of. Correct replacement: Despite Answer: Despite

Q31.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. He has less friends than his brother.

  1. AHe has
  2. Bless friends
  3. Cthan
  4. Dhis brother.
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. less friends

Solution

The error is in: "less friends". Use fewer with countable nouns and less with uncountable ones. Correction: fewer friends Answer: less friends

Q32.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The number of applicants are increasing every year.

  1. AThe number of
  2. Bincreasing
  3. Cevery year.
  4. Dapplicants are
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. applicants are

Solution

The error is in: "applicants are". The number of takes a singular verb (a number of takes plural). Correction: applicants is Answer: applicants are

Q33.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The furniture in the hall are very old.

  1. AThe furniture
  2. Bare
  3. Cin the hall
  4. Dvery old.
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. are

Solution

The error is in: "are". Furniture is uncountable and takes a singular verb. Correction: is Answer: are

Q34.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. Having finished his homework, [the television was switched on by Arun].

  1. Athe television was switched on by him
  2. BArun's television was switched on
  3. CArun switched on the television
  4. Dthe television was being switched on by Arun
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. Arun switched on the television

Solution

'Having finished his homework' must modify the doer of the action, so the subject of the main clause must be Arun (a dangling participle otherwise: a television cannot finish homework). Correct: Having finished his homework, Arun switched on the television. Answer: Arun switched on the television

Q35.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. She asked me [that where] I was going.

  1. Athat where
  2. Bto where
  3. Cwhat where
  4. Dwhere
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. where

Solution

In an indirect question, the question word is used without that. Correct replacement: where Answer: where

Hard questions

Q36.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Had I known about the delay, I will have left earlier.

  1. AHad I
  2. Bknown about the delay,
  3. Cleft earlier.
  4. DI will have
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. I will have

Solution

The error is in: "I will have". Third conditional main clause: would have + past participle. Correction: would have Answer: I will have

Q37.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. The professor, [who's research] was widely cited, retired last year.

  1. Awhose research
  2. Bwho's researches
  3. Cwhom research
  4. Dwhich research
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. whose research

Solution

Whose shows possession; who's means who is. Correct replacement: whose research Answer: whose research

Q38.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. I wish I [was] taller.

  1. Aam
  2. Bwere
  3. Cwill be
  4. Dwould be
Show answer & solution

Answer: B. were

Solution

A wish about the present uses the subjunctive were. Correct replacement: were Answer: were

Q39.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. No sooner had he left when it started raining.

  1. ANo sooner
  2. Bhad he left
  3. Cit started raining.
  4. Dwhen
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. when

Solution

'No sooner' is always followed by 'than', not 'when' ('hardly/scarcely' take 'when'). Correct: No sooner had he left than it started raining. Answer: when

Q40.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The reason he was late is because the bus broke down.

  1. AThe reason
  2. Bhe was late
  3. Cis because
  4. Dthe bus broke down.
Show answer & solution

Answer: C. is because

Solution

The error is in: "is because". The reason is ... should be followed by that, not because. Correction: is that Answer: is because

Q41.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. The principal along with the teachers were present at the function.

  1. Awere
  2. BThe principal along with
  3. Cthe teachers
  4. Dpresent at the function.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. were

Solution

The error is in: "were". Along with does not make the subject plural; the subject is principal. Correction: was Answer: were

Q42.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. Walking down the road, [a dog bit Ramesh].

  1. Athe dog was biting Ramesh
  2. Ba dog's bite hurt Ramesh
  3. CRamesh's leg was bitten by a dog
  4. DRamesh was bitten by a dog
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. Ramesh was bitten by a dog

Solution

The opening phrase must describe the subject that follows; it was Ramesh who was walking. Correct replacement: Ramesh was bitten by a dog Answer: Ramesh was bitten by a dog

Q43.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Not only the manager but also his assistants was present.

  1. ANot only
  2. Bthe manager
  3. Cbut also his assistants
  4. Dwas present.
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. was present.

Solution

The error is in: "was present.". With not only ... but also the verb agrees with the nearer subject (assistants). Correction: were present Answer: was present.

Q44.

Choose the option that correctly replaces the bracketed part. Each of the boys and girls [have] been given a prize.

  1. Ahave
  2. Bwere
  3. Care
  4. Dhas
Show answer & solution

Answer: D. has

Solution

Each takes a singular verb. Correct replacement: has Answer: has

Q45.

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. Anita is senior than me in the company.

  1. Asenior than
  2. BAnita is
  3. Cme
  4. Din the company.
Show answer & solution

Answer: A. senior than

Solution

The error is in: "senior than". Senior, junior, superior, inferior take to, not than. Correction: senior to Answer: senior than

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