Direction : 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 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) Opening his letters (b) reading them carefully and sending for his clerk (c) he dictated answers with them (d) No error
(c)
Identifying Grammar Errors in English Sentences
The question asks us to find any grammatical error in the given sentence which is divided into three parts: (a), (b), and (c). Part (d) represents 'No error'. We need to examine each part carefully.
Analysing Part (a): Opening his letters
This part describes the first action taken by the subject (he). It uses a present participle ('Opening') to introduce a phrase modifying the subject. This structure is grammatically correct and forms a part of a participial phrase describing simultaneous or sequential actions. There is no apparent error here.
Analysing Part (b): reading them carefully and sending for his clerk
This part continues the series of actions using present participles ('reading', 'sending'), coordinated by 'and'. Like part (a), this forms part of the introductory participial phrase indicating actions performed by the subject before dictating answers. The structure and word usage are correct in this part as well.
Analysing Part (c): he dictated answers with them
This is the main clause of the sentence, stating what the subject ('he') did after the actions described in parts (a) and (b). The action is 'dictated answers'. The error lies in the preposition used after 'dictated answers'. The phrase "dictated answers with them" uses the preposition 'with'. However, when dictating responses or answers to something, the correct preposition is typically 'to'. For example, you dictate answers *to* a letter or email. Using 'with' in this context is incorrect. The sentence should likely be "he dictated answers to them" (where 'them' refers back to the letters).
Explanation of the Error
The error is a misuse of the preposition 'with'. The verb 'dictate' when followed by the thing being dictated (answers) and the recipient or target (letters) requires the preposition 'to' before the target. The phrase should be 'dictate answers to [something/someone]'.
Correcting the Sentence Part (c)
The corrected phrasing for part (c) would be: he dictated answers to them.
Conclusion on Grammar Error Identification
Based on the analysis, the error is located in part (c) due to the incorrect use of the preposition 'with' instead of 'to' after 'dictated answers'.
The final answer is (c).
| Sentence Part | Analysis | Error Found? |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Opening his letters | Correct participial phrase usage. | No |
| (b) reading them carefully and sending for his clerk | Correct continuation of participial phrase. | No |
| (c) he dictated answers with them | Incorrect preposition 'with' after 'dictated answers'. Should be 'to'. | Yes |
| (d) No error | This option is incorrect as there is an error. | No (as an option) |
Revision Table: Key Grammar Concepts
| Concept | Description | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Participal Phrases | Phrases beginning with a participle (like 'opening', 'reading') that function as adjectives or adverbs, modifying the main subject or verb. | Parts (a) and (b) use correct participial phrases. |
| Prepositions | Words (like 'to', 'with', 'for') that connect a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence, often showing relationship in space, time, or direction. | The error in part (c) is the incorrect use of the preposition 'with'. |
| Verb-Preposition Collocations | Certain verbs combine with specific prepositions to convey meaning (e.g., listen to, wait for, dictate answers to). | 'Dictate answers' collocates with 'to' when referring to the recipient or target of the answers. |
Additional Information: Using Prepositions Correctly
Prepositions are small but crucial words in English grammar. Choosing the correct preposition depends heavily on the preceding verb, adjective, or noun, and the intended relationship with the following word. This is often a matter of standard usage and verb-preposition collocations.
- Many verbs require specific prepositions. For example, you 'arrive at' a place (small), 'arrive in' a city/country, 'agree with' a person, 'agree on' a plan, 'talk about' a topic, 'listen to' music, 'depend on' someone.
- The preposition 'with' is typically used to indicate:
- Accompaniment (He came with his friend).
- Using something as a tool (He wrote with a pen).
- Having something (a man with a beard).
- Agreement (I agree with you).
- The preposition 'to' is typically used to indicate:
- Movement towards a destination (Going to school).
- Recipient or target (Give it to her, Write to me, Dictate answers to the letters).
- Relationship (Married to, similar to).
In the context of dictating answers *to* letters, 'to' indicates that the answers are directed at or intended for the letters (which represent the source of the questions or issues requiring answers). Using 'with' is inappropriate as it implies either dictating alongside the letters or using the letters as a tool in a way that doesn't fit the meaning.
Similar Questions
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Important Questions from Error Spotting
The following question 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 and indicate your response against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
It is identification with the audience(a)that makes one come home from the play so much more(b)satisfied than one ever is after merely passive enjoyment of the show.(c) No error.(d)
The following question has a sentence with four parts labelled (a), (b), (c), and (d). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any part and indicate your response against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
CV Raman was one of the greatest sons of India (a) who has earned everlasting fame (b) for scientific researches. (c) No error. (d)
The following question 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 and indicate your response against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
This box(a)is heavy than(b) the other one.(c) No error. (d)
The following question 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 and indicate your response against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
Thewriter does not have the freedom (a) to choose his own themes, (b) society thrusts them on him (c) No error. (d)
The following question has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
No one knows (a) why he did it, (b) or who was behind his doing it.(c) No error. (d)
