(a) The officer marvelled
(b) at the low attendance
(c) remarking on the presence of less than twenty people at work.
(d) No error
Grammar Error Analysis in Sentence Correction
The question asks us to identify a grammatical error in the given sentence. We need to examine the three underlined parts of the sentence: (a) "The officer marvelled", (b) "at the low attendance", and (c) "remarking on the presence of less than twenty people at work.". We must determine if any of these parts contain an error.
Understanding Quantifiers: Less vs. Fewer
The key to solving this question lies in understanding the correct usage of quantifiers like "less" and "fewer".
- Fewer: This is used when referring to things you can count individually (countable nouns). For example, fewer chairs, fewer books, fewer mistakes, fewer people.
- Less: This is typically used for quantities that cannot be counted (uncountable nouns). For example, less water, less sugar, less time, less effort.
Step-by-Step Sentence Analysis
- Part (a): "The officer marvelled" - This part is grammatically correct. The verb "marvelled" is appropriate here.
- Part (b): "at the low attendance" - This phrase is also grammatically correct. "Attendance" is used correctly in this context.
- Part (c): "remarking on the presence of less than twenty people at work." - This part contains the error. "People" is a countable noun. Therefore, we should use "fewer" instead of "less" when quantifying the number of people. The correct phrasing should be "fewer than twenty people".
Identifying the Error
The error is in part (c) because it uses "less" with a countable noun ("people"). The correct quantifier for countable nouns is "fewer".
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence would read: "The officer marvelled at the low attendance remarking on the presence of fewer than twenty people at work."
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the underlined part (c) contains the grammatical error related to the misuse of "less" instead of "fewer".
Similar Questions
Either my brothers / or my friend / are coming to receive me at the airport. / No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)Today she was an accomplished / singer because she had trained / under an acclaimed guru in her youth. / No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)The pair of trousers / you bought for me / do not fit me. / No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)The spectators / thronged the stadium to watch / favourite star perform. / No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)Paridhi knew she still had to buy the groceries / pick up dry-cleaning / and prepare the presentation for the next day's meeting. / No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)(a) The visiting school children
(b) went around the lake
(c) during trip to the famous lake city.
(d) No error(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
(a) Given the nature of the problem
(b) it was not unnatural for there to be
(c) bad blood among the two of them.
(d) No error(a) The listings on the menu that had been proffered by him
(b) were selected after meticulous care
(c) and discernment with regard to taste and preference.
(d) No error(a) The entire attention of the visiting
(b) dignitaries centred around
(c) the craftwork on display.
(d) No error
Important Questions from Error Spotting
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
Fortunately, / the fire did not / caused much damage / to the building.
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them may contain an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. If you don’t find any error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
Neither of them have / any experience / in software development.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
Each of the students were / present for / the valedictory session / that night.
From the given options, identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.
If you prepare well, you wouldn't have failed the exam.
Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains grammatical error from the given options.
Thunderstorms develop in hot, humid tropical areas like India much to frequently.
