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) No sooner did I open the door/ b)/ when the rain, heavy and stormy, rushed in/ c)/ making us shiver from head to foot. d)/ No error
b
Finding the Grammar Error: No Sooner...Than Construction
Let's analyse the given sentence to identify any grammatical errors. The sentence is divided into three parts: a), b), and c). We also have option d) for 'No error'.
The sentence uses the structure "No sooner did...". This is a specific grammatical construction that requires a particular correlative conjunction to follow it.
Let's look at each part:
- a) No sooner did I open the door/
This part uses the correct inversion structure required with "No sooner" when it starts a sentence. It is followed by the auxiliary verb 'did', the subject 'I', and the base form of the main verb 'open'. This part appears grammatically correct.
- b)/ when the rain, heavy and stormy, rushed in/
This part follows the first part and introduces the consequence or the next event. The construction "No sooner...than" is a common correlative conjunction used to indicate that one event happens immediately after another. The word used here is "when". According to standard English grammar, "No sooner" is paired with "than". Using "when" instead of "than" is a common error.
The phrase "heavy and stormy" acts as an adjective phrase describing "the rain", and its placement is acceptable.
However, the use of "when" is incorrect in the context of "No sooner did...". The correct word should be "than".
- c)/ making us shiver from head to foot. d)/ No error
This part uses a present participle clause ("making us shiver...") to describe the result or consequence of the rain rushing in. This structure is grammatically correct and follows the previous clause logically.
Based on the analysis, the error is located in part b) because it uses "when" instead of the correct conjunction "than" with the "No sooner did..." structure.
The correct sentence should be: "No sooner did I open the door than the rain, heavy and stormy, rushed in making us shiver from head to foot."
Understanding the 'No Sooner... Than' Construction
The construction 'No sooner... than' is used to show that one action or event happens immediately after another. When 'No sooner' begins a sentence, it is followed by inverted word order (auxiliary verb + subject + main verb).
Examples:
- No sooner had she finished reading than she fell asleep.
- No sooner did the bell ring than the students rushed out.
Using 'when', 'then', or any other conjunction instead of 'than' after 'No sooner' is incorrect.
The part with the error is b).
Revision Table: Correlative Conjunctions
| Pair | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No sooner... than | Indicates one event follows immediately after another. Requires inversion when 'No sooner' starts the sentence. | No sooner had I arrived than the party started. |
| Hardly/Scarcely/Barely... when | Similar meaning to 'No sooner... than', but paired with 'when'. Also requires inversion when starting the sentence. | Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang. |
| Not only... but also | Connects two related ideas or items, emphasizing the second. | She is not only intelligent but also kind. |
| Either... or | Presents a choice between two options. | You can either call or send a message. |
| Neither... nor | States that neither of two options is true or possible. | He is neither a doctor nor a lawyer. |
Additional Information on Sentence Structures
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect grammatical elements of equal importance in a sentence. Ensuring the correct pairing (like 'No sooner' with 'than' or 'Hardly' with 'when') is crucial for grammatical accuracy.
The sentence in the question also demonstrates inversion. When negative adverbs or adverbial phrases like 'No sooner', 'Hardly', 'Scarcely', 'Never', 'Rarely', etc., start a sentence, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. This is known as inversion or inverted word order.
In the given sentence:
- "No sooner" (Negative adverbial phrase)
- "did" (Auxiliary verb)
- "I" (Subject)
- "open" (Main verb)
This structure in part a) is correct according to the rule of inversion following 'No sooner'. The error is purely in the correlative conjunction used in part b).
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)
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Thewriter does not have the freedom (a) to choose his own themes, (b) society thrusts them on him (c) No error. (d)
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No one knows (a) why he did it, (b) or who was behind his doing it.(c) No error. (d)
