(a) The tumult among the gathered spectators
(b) rose to a crescendo
(c) upon the arrival of their most favourite superstar.
(d) No error
Error Identification: The 'Most Favourite' Superlative
This question asks us to identify a grammatical error within the given sentence. Let's break down the sentence and examine each underlined part:
Sentence Analysis
The sentence is: "The tumult among the gathered spectators (a) rose to a crescendo (b) upon the arrival of their most favourite superstar (c)."
- Part (a): "The tumult among the gathered spectators" - This phrase correctly sets the scene. 'Tumult' refers to a state of commotion or noise, and 'gathered spectators' are the people watching. This part is grammatically sound.
- Part (b): "rose to a crescendo" - This phrase accurately describes the increasing intensity of the noise or excitement. 'Crescendo' means a gradual increase, and 'rose to' fits perfectly. This part is also grammatically correct.
- Part (c): "upon the arrival of their most favourite superstar." - This part describes the timing of the event. Upon closer inspection, the phrase "most favourite" contains a grammatical error.
Grammar Explanation: Double Superlatives
The error lies in the use of "most favourite". Here's why:
- The word 'favourite' (or its American English spelling 'favorite') is already a superlative adjective. It means the one liked or preferred above all others.
- Adding 'most' before 'favourite' creates a double superlative. This is redundant and grammatically incorrect. We only need one marker to indicate the highest degree.
- The correct way to express this idea would be either:
- "their favourite superstar" (using the superlative form directly)
- "their most favorite superstar" (using the American spelling and 'most' if 'favorite' is not considered inherently superlative in that context, though 'favourite' often is).
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence would read:
"The tumult among the gathered spectators rose to a crescendo upon the arrival of their favourite superstar."
Conclusion
The grammatical error, specifically the double superlative, is located in part (c) of the sentence.
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)
