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).
c
Understanding the Grammar Error in the Sentence
The question asks us to identify any grammatical error in the provided sentence, which is divided into three parts: (a), (b), and (c).
Let's examine each part carefully:
- Part (a): "Failure is the stepping stone to success; " This part uses the singular subject "Failure" with the singular verb "is". The phrase "stepping stone to success" is a well-known idiom referring to an experience that helps you achieve something else. The use of the semicolon is appropriate here to connect two closely related independent clauses. This part appears to be grammatically correct.
- Part (b): " however, successive failures are not " This part introduces a contrasting idea using the conjunctive adverb "however," correctly followed by a comma. The subject "successive failures" is plural, and the verb "are not" correctly agrees in number. This part also appears to be grammatically correct.
- Part (c): " successive stepping stones to success." This part acts as the predicate noun phrase for the subject "successive failures" from part (b). Since the subject "successive failures" is plural, the predicate noun phrase should also be plural for agreement. "stepping stones" is plural. However, the word "successive" is used again here, modifying "stepping stones". The phrase "successive failures" already indicates that the failures occur one after another. The idiom is typically "a stepping stone" (singular) or "stepping stones" (plural) when referring to multiple stages. Using "successive" before "stepping stones" in conjunction with "successive failures" is redundant and makes the phrasing awkward. While "successive stepping stones" is not inherently ungrammatical as a standalone phrase, its use in this context alongside "successive failures" creates a stylistic or grammatical error related to redundancy and poor construction. The sentence would be clearer and more grammatically sound if part (c) simply read "stepping stones to success".
Based on the analysis, the error lies in part (c) due to the redundant use of the word "successive".
Revision Table: Analyzing Sentence Parts
| Part | Text | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Failure is the stepping stone to success; | Correct subject-verb agreement, appropriate idiom use, correct semicolon usage. | No |
| (b) | however, successive failures are not | Correct use of conjunctive adverb "however", correct subject-verb agreement (plural). | No |
| (c) | successive stepping stones to success. | Redundant use of "successive" alongside "successive failures". "Stepping stones" is sufficient. | Yes |
Therefore, the error is in part (c).
Additional Information: Redundancy and Idiom Use
Understanding redundancy in sentence construction is key to improving grammar and style. Redundancy occurs when words or phrases that mean the same thing are used together, making the sentence repetitive and less effective. In this case, "successive failures" already implies that the failures are happening in sequence. Adding "successive" before "stepping stones" to refer to the result of these failures is unnecessary.
The idiom "stepping stone" means something that helps you to achieve something else. While the singular form "a stepping stone" is common for a single positive experience, the plural "stepping stones" can refer to multiple experiences or stages leading to a goal. The issue here is not the plurality of "stepping stones" but the repetitive use of "successive".
Similar Questions
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) She wouldn't have (b) has an accident, (c) if she had driven carefully. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) Columbus made his (b) first voyage from Europe to America (c) on 1492. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) I will watch film (b) if I finish the work (c) in time. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) In 1989, the government (b) did an about-face and Iran restored (c) it's family planning program. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) If you want (b) to know the news (c) you can read a newspaper. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) Over long periods of time, (b) layers of sediments builds up (c) to a height of a few kilometers. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) I'm not working tomorrow, (b) so I don't had to (c) get up early. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) She didn't (b) tell anybody (c) about her plans. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) When a gas is (b) cooled down it turns into a liquid (c) from a process called condensation. (d) No Error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. 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) Whenever the sky is (b) clear, you can see (c) the stars in the night. (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.
