Grammar: Identifying Incorrect Sentences
This question tests the correct usage of articles ('a' and 'an') in English sentences, specifically concerning words that begin with a vowel letter but have a consonant sound.
Article Usage Rules
- 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 car).
- The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound of the word's beginning, not just the letter itself. For instance, 'university' and 'European' begin with a 'y' sound, which is a consonant sound, requiring the article 'a'.
Sentence Analysis
- Sentence 1: $He is of Asian origin.$ is grammatically correct. 'Asian' functions as an adjective describing origin.
- Sentence 2: $They belonged to Africa.$ is grammatically correct. The preposition 'to' is correctly used with 'belonged' to indicate geographical association.
- Sentence 3: $She is an European.$ is grammatically incorrect. The word 'European' starts with a consonant sound ('y' sound). Therefore, the correct article to use is 'a', not 'an'. The sentence should be: $She is a European.$
- Sentence 4: $They migrated from India to Australia.$ is grammatically correct. The prepositions 'from' and 'to' are correctly used to indicate the direction of migration.
Conclusion
The grammatically incorrect sentence is the one that misuses the article before a word starting with a consonant sound.
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)
