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
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Important Questions from Error Spotting
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