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)
Understanding the Sentence and Identifying the Error
The question asks us to find the error in the sentence: "From thirty years he has devoted himself to public affairs without taking a holiday." The sentence is divided into three parts, labelled (a), (b), and (c), and we are given an option (d) for 'No error'. We need to examine each part to see if it follows standard English grammar rules, particularly concerning tense and preposition usage.
Analyzing Each Part of the Sentence
- (a) From thirty years: This part specifies a duration of time. The verb in the main clause is "has devoted," which is in the present perfect tense. The present perfect tense often describes an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, or an action completed at some point in the past but relevant now. When talking about a duration with the present perfect, we typically use prepositions like "for" or "since". "For" is used with a period or duration (e.g., for two hours, for ten years, for a long time). "Since" is used with a specific starting point (e.g., since morning, since 2005, since he left). The phrase "From thirty years" is not the correct way to express a duration in this context with the present perfect tense. The correct preposition should be "for".
- (b) he has devoted himself to public affairs: This part contains the subject ("he"), the verb in the present perfect tense ("has devoted"), and the object/complement ("himself to public affairs"). This structure and tense usage are grammatically correct in the context of describing an action that has continued over a period up to the present.
- (c) without taking a holiday: This part is a participial phrase acting adverbially, modifying how he has devoted himself. "Without taking a holiday" is a grammatically sound phrase expressing a condition or manner.
Identifying the Error Based on Analysis
Based on the analysis, the error lies in part (a) "From thirty years". The preposition "From" is incorrectly used to indicate a duration with the present perfect tense. It should be replaced by "For" to correctly express the duration of thirty years.
The corrected sentence would be: "For thirty years he has devoted himself to public affairs without taking a holiday."
Conclusion
The error is found in part (a) of the sentence. Therefore, option (a) indicates the correct answer.
Revision Table: Correcting the Sentence
| Part | Original Text | Analysis | Correction (if needed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | From thirty years | Incorrect preposition for duration with present perfect. | For thirty years |
| (b) | he has devoted himself to public affairs | Correct structure and tense usage. | No change |
| (c) | without taking a holiday | Grammatically correct phrase. | No change |
Additional Information: Prepositions 'For' and 'Since' with Present Perfect
Understanding when to use 'for' and 'since' with the present perfect tense is crucial for sentence correction exercises. Here’s a quick guide:
- For: Used to specify a duration or period of time. It answers the question "How long?".
- Examples: for three days, for a week, for ten years, for a long time, for many hours.
- Sentence Example: She has lived here for five years. (The duration is five years)
- Since: Used to specify a starting point in time. It answers the question "Since when?".
- Examples: since Monday, since 2010, since noon, since I was a child, since he arrived.
- Sentence Example: She has lived here since 2018. (The starting point is 2018)
In the given sentence, "thirty years" represents a duration, not a starting point, hence "for" is the correct preposition.
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)
