Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c), “Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any 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) This view has been taken (b) by one of the ablest persons (c) who has written on this subject (d) No error
(c)
English Grammar Error Analysis: Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Let's carefully examine the provided sentence to identify any potential grammatical errors. The sentence is divided into three parts:
- (a) This view has been taken
- (b) by one of the ablest persons
- (c) who has written on this subject
- (d) No error
Analyzing Part (a): "This view has been taken"
This part uses the present perfect passive voice ("has been taken"). The subject is "This view," which is singular, and the verb "has been taken" agrees with the singular subject. This part appears grammatically correct.
Analyzing Part (b): "by one of the ablest persons"
This part introduces the agent of the passive verb using the preposition "by." The phrase "one of the ablest persons" is a common structure. "One of the" is followed by a plural noun ("persons"). This is correct usage when referring to one item/person from a group. This part is grammatically sound.
Analyzing Part (c): "who has written on this subject"
This part is a relative clause modifying the noun phrase "one of the ablest persons." The relative pronoun "who" refers back to its antecedent. In this case, the antecedent is "one of the ablest persons." The relative pronoun "who" here acts as the subject of the verb within the relative clause, which is "has written."
Now, let's determine the number (singular or plural) that the relative pronoun "who" represents in this context. When a relative pronoun (like 'who', 'which', 'that') follows the structure "one of the + plural noun," the relative pronoun usually refers to the plural noun (the group), not just the single item/person selected ('one'). Therefore, the verb in the relative clause should agree with the plural noun.
- Antecedent of "who": "ablest persons" (plural)
- Verb in the relative clause: "has written" (singular verb, third person)
Since "who" refers to "persons" (plural), the verb should be plural to agree with the antecedent. The correct plural form of "has written" for a third-person plural subject (like 'they', which 'who' represents here) is "have written."
The structure should be "one of the + plural noun + who + plural verb".
Let's illustrate with examples:
- Incorrect: He is one of the students who is good at math. (Error: "is" should be "are")
- Correct: He is one of the students who are good at math.
- Incorrect: She is one of the few writers who has won a Nobel Prize. (Error: "has" should be "have")
- Correct: She is one of the few writers who have won a Nobel Prize.
In the given sentence, "who has written" is incorrect because "who" refers to "ablest persons" (plural). The verb should be "have written."
Therefore, the error lies in part (c).
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence would be:
This view has been taken by one of the ablest persons who have written on this subject.
Conclusion on Grammatical Error
The error is found in part (c) due to incorrect subject-verb agreement within the relative clause. The relative pronoun "who" refers to the plural noun "persons," requiring a plural verb ("have written") instead of the singular verb ("has written").
Revision Table: Key Grammar Points
| Grammar Concept | Rule/Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One of the + Plural Noun | Used to refer to one item/person from a group. | One of the books, one of the teachers |
| Relative Clause following "one of the + Plural Noun" | The relative pronoun (who, which, that) typically refers to the plural noun (the group). | one of the students who... |
| Subject-Verb Agreement in Relative Clauses | The verb in the relative clause must agree in number with the antecedent of the relative pronoun. | The students who are here; The book that is on the table. |
| Subject-Verb Agreement with "One of the + Plural Noun + Who" | The verb following "who" should be plural, agreeing with the plural noun antecedent. | One of the scientists who have discovered... |
Additional Information on Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar. The verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.
- Singular Subject = Singular Verb: The cat sleeps. He runs. She is reading.
- Plural Subject = Plural Verb: The cats sleep. They run. They are reading.
Understanding what the true subject is, especially in complex sentences with intervening phrases or clauses, is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement. In the case of relative clauses starting with 'who', 'which', or 'that', the antecedent of the pronoun determines the verb's number.
The specific structure "one of the + plural noun + relative pronoun + verb" is a common area where errors occur because students might mistakenly make the verb agree with 'one' (singular) instead of the plural noun (the group) that the relative pronoun refers to.
Always identify the subject of the verb within the relative clause to ensure correct agreement.
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)
