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).
c
Understanding Grammar Errors: Among vs Amongst
This question asks us to identify if there is an error in any of the underlined parts of the given sentence. The sentence is: "The principal of the school (a) / stressed the need for discipline (b) / amongst the students. (c) / No error (d)". We need to examine each part carefully.
Analysing the Sentence Parts
Let's break down the sentence into its labelled parts and check for potential grammatical issues:
- Part (a): "The principal of the school"
- Part (b): "stressed the need for discipline"
- Part (c): "amongst the students."
Part (a): The Principal of the School
This part of the sentence introduces the subject, "The principal," followed by a phrase specifying which principal, "of the school." Grammatically, this structure is correct. "Principal" is the noun representing the head of the school, and "of the school" is a prepositional phrase modifying "principal." There is no apparent error in part (a).
Part (b): Stressed the Need for Discipline
This part describes the action taken by the principal. The verb "stressed" means emphasized or highlighted. The phrase "the need for discipline" is the object of the verb, indicating what was stressed. The structure "stressed the need for [something]" is a standard and grammatically correct construction in English. There is no apparent error in part (b).
Part (c): Amongst the Students.
This part uses the word "amongst" to indicate the group concerning whom the need for discipline was stressed. The words "among" and "amongst" are prepositions. They are often used interchangeably, but "among" is generally more common and preferred in modern standard English, especially when referring to distribution or relationship within a group of more than two. "Amongst" is considered a more formal or slightly archaic variant. In this context, "among the students" means 'within the group of students' or 'in relation to the students'. While "amongst" is not strictly incorrect in all contexts, "among" is the more standard and natural choice when referring to a group like "the students". Using "amongst" here makes the sentence sound slightly dated or overly formal. In error identification questions, we often look for the most standard or correct usage. Therefore, the use of "amongst" instead of "among" is considered the error in part (c).
Identifying the Grammar Error
Based on the analysis, the use of the preposition "amongst" in part (c) is the most likely error. The more appropriate and standard preposition in this context is "among."
The corrected sentence would read: "The principal of the school stressed the need for discipline among the students."
Therefore, the error is in part (c).
| Part | Text | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | The principal of the school | Subject and modifying phrase are correct. | No |
| (b) | stressed the need for discipline | Verb and object phrase are correct. | No |
| (c) | amongst the students. | Use of 'amongst' instead of the more standard 'among' for a group. | Yes |
| (d) | No error | Error found in (c). | No |
Conclusion
The error in the sentence is found in part (c), where "amongst" is used instead of the more standard "among".
Revision Table: English Grammar Prepositions
| Preposition | Typical Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Among | Used for three or more distinct individuals or items, or for things that are not distinct individuals (a group, a mass). Refers to being surrounded by or in the middle of a group. | Divide the sweets among the three children. There was tension among the team members. He disappeared among the trees. |
| Amongst | A variant of 'among', less common in modern American English, more common in British English but often considered slightly formal or archaic. Usage is similar to 'among'. | Divide the sweets amongst the three children. There was tension amongst the team members. He disappeared amongst the trees. |
| Between | Used for two distinct individuals, items, or groups. Also used when comparing more than two items if each item is being considered individually in relation to the others (e.g., negotiating treaties between several countries). | Divide the sweets between John and Mary. The secret was shared between the two friends. The negotiations were between Canada, the US, and Mexico. |
Additional Information: Standard English Usage
In competitive exams focusing on standard English usage, using the more common and less formal variant is often preferred unless the context specifically requires a more formal tone. While "amongst" is grammatically acceptable in many situations where "among" is used, "among" is the prevailing choice in contemporary writing and speech, especially in American English.
The choice between "among" and "amongst" can sometimes be a matter of rhythm or personal preference, but in error identification based on standard usage, "among" is typically considered the safer and correct choice when referring to a group.
It's important to be aware of such nuances in preposition usage for improving verbal ability and grammar skills.
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 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).
Failure is the stepping stone to success; (a) / however, successive failures are not (b) / successive stepping stones to success. (c) / No error (d)
