(a) In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice
(b) the principal demanded an unique excuse
(c) from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour.
(d) No error
Error Identification in Sentence Correction
This question requires identifying a grammatical error within the provided sentence. We need to examine the underlined portions (a), (b), and (c) to find the mistake. The sentence is:
"(a) In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice (b) the principal demanded an unique excuse (c) from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour."
Analysis of Underlined Parts
Part (a): Voice Description
The phrase "(a) In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice" describes the principal's voice. "Stentorian" means loud and powerful. This part appears grammatically sound and contextually appropriate.
Part (b): The Error in Article Usage
The phrase "(b) the principal demanded an unique excuse" contains the grammatical error. The rule for using the articles 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound that follows, not the letter.
- Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour).
- Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a book, a university).
The word "unique" begins with a 'y' sound (like 'yoo-neek'), which is a consonant sound. Therefore, the correct article to use before "unique" is 'a', not 'an'. The phrase should be "a unique excuse".
Part (c): Context of the Excuse
The phrase "(c) from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour." provides context about the student and the reason for being reprimanded. This part seems grammatically correct.
Conclusion on the Error
Since an error was identified in part (b) concerning the incorrect use of the article 'an' before "unique", the option indicating "No error" (d) is incorrect. The error lies specifically in the choice of article.
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence would read: "In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice, the principal demanded a unique excuse from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour."
Important Questions from Error Spotting
Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
A honest mistake (a) / is no more than that; (b) / just an honest mistake. (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
A company of five thousand soldiers , (a) / having marched tirelessly for over five days , (b) / have just moved into their cantonment . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
Every person who believes in principles (a) / must stand up to fight (b) / for their convictions . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
The Olympic Games reflects(a) / the highest spirit of (b) / human endeavour and achievement . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
The principal of the school (a) / stressed the need for discipline (b) / amongst the students. (c) / No error (d)
