Direction: In this section, a number of sentences are given. The sentences are underlined in three separate parts and each one is labeled a), b), c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any underlined part. No sentence has more than one error. When you find an error in any one of the underlined parts a), b) or c), indicate your response on the Answer Sheet at the appropriate space. You may feel that there is no error in a sentence. In that case, letter ‘d)’ will signify a ‘No error’ response. a) Unless you stop to make noise at once, b)/ I will have no option but to c)/ bring the matter to the attention of the police. d) No error
a
Analyzing the English Grammar Sentence for Errors
This question asks us to identify if there is an error in any of the underlined parts of the given sentence. The sentence is divided into three parts, labeled a), b), and c). Part d) represents the option 'No error'. We need to carefully examine each part for grammatical correctness.
Let's break down the sentence:
- a) Unless you stop to make noise at once,
- b) I will have no option but to
- c) bring the matter to the attention of the police.
- d) No error
Examining Part a): "Unless you stop to make noise at once,"
This part of the sentence uses the verb "stop" followed by the infinitive "to make noise". The verb "stop" can be followed by either a gerund (-ing form) or an infinitive (to + base form), but the meaning is different in each case.
- Stop + Gerund: Means to cease doing something. For example, "Stop talking." means to stop the action of talking.
- Stop + Infinitive: Means to stop an activity you are currently doing in order to do something else. For example, "I stopped to tie my shoe." means I paused my walk to tie my shoe.
In the context of the sentence "Unless you stop to make noise at once," the intended meaning is clearly that the person should cease the activity of making noise immediately. Therefore, the gerund form is required after "stop". The correct phrasing should be "stop making noise".
Using "stop to make noise" incorrectly implies stopping what you are currently doing in order to start making noise, which is not logical in this context.
Thus, there is an error in part (a).
Examining Part b): "I will have no option but to "
This part of the sentence uses the phrase "will have no option but to". This is a standard and grammatically correct construction meaning there is no alternative course of action other than the one mentioned next. This part appears correct.
Examining Part c): "bring the matter to the attention of the police. "
This part completes the sentence by stating the consequence if the action in part (a) is not taken. The phrase "bring the matter to the attention of someone" is a common and correct idiom meaning to inform or report something to that person or authority. This part is grammatically sound.
Conclusion on the Error
Based on the analysis, the error is found in part (a) due to the incorrect use of the infinitive "to make noise" instead of the gerund "making noise" after the verb "stop". Parts (b) and (c) are grammatically correct.
The corrected sentence would read: "Unless you stop making noise at once, I will have no option but to bring the matter to the attention of the police."
Therefore, the part containing the error is (a).
| Part | Text | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| a) | Unless you stop to make noise at once, | "stop" should be followed by a gerund ("making noise") to mean cease an action. "stop to make noise" means stopping in order to make noise. | Yes |
| b) | I will have no option but to | Correct phrase meaning 'no alternative'. | No |
| c) | bring the matter to the attention of the police. | Correct idiom meaning 'inform the police'. | No |
Revision Table: Grammar Error Identification
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verbs followed by Gerunds vs. Infinitives | Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund (-ing form) or an infinitive (to + base verb), but the meaning changes depending on which form is used. "Stop" is one such verb. | Stop + Gerund (cease activity): She stopped singing. Stop + Infinitive (stop for a purpose): He stopped to rest. |
| Identifying Errors in Sentences | Carefully read each part of the sentence, checking for subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, correct use of prepositions, articles, idioms, and proper forms of verbs (infinitives, gerunds, participles). | Look for common errors like using 'to' before a gerund when it's not part of an idiom (e.g., incorrect "stop to making"). |
Additional Information: Grammar Concepts
Understanding how different verbs are followed by either gerunds or infinitives is crucial for identifying grammar errors. Here are a few other common verbs that can be tricky:
- Remember:
- Remember + Gerund: Remembering a past action (e.g., "I remember locking the door.").
- Remember + Infinitive: Remembering to do something (future action, obligation) (e.g., "Remember to lock the door.").
- Forget:
- Forget + Gerund: Forgetting a past action (e.g., "I'll never forget meeting you.").
- Forget + Infinitive: Forgetting to do something (future action, obligation) (e.g., "I forgot to buy milk.").
- Try:
- Try + Gerund: Experimenting with a method (e.g., "Try turning the key the other way.").
- Try + Infinitive: Making an effort to do something difficult (e.g., "He tried to lift the heavy box.").
Paying attention to the specific meaning required by the context of the sentence is key to choosing the correct verb form.
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)
