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.
Similar Questions
Directions: 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. 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) She wouldn't have (b) has an accident, (c) if she had driven carefully. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) Columbus made his (b) first voyage from Europe to America (c) on 1492. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) I will watch film (b) if I finish the work (c) in time. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) In 1989, the government (b) did an about-face and Iran restored (c) it's family planning program. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) If you want (b) to know the news (c) you can read a newspaper. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) Over long periods of time, (b) layers of sediments builds up (c) to a height of a few kilometers. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) I'm not working tomorrow, (b) so I don't had to (c) get up early. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) She didn't (b) tell anybody (c) about her plans. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) When a gas is (b) cooled down it turns into a liquid (c) from a process called condensation. (d) No Error
Directions: 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. 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) Whenever the sky is (b) clear, you can see (c) the stars in the night. (d) No Error
Important Questions from Error Spotting
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
Fortunately, / the fire did not / caused much damage / to the building.
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them may contain an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. If you don’t find any error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.
Neither of them have / any experience / in software development.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
Each of the students were / present for / the valedictory session / that night.
From the given options, identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.
If you prepare well, you wouldn't have failed the exam.
Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains grammatical error from the given options.
Thunderstorms develop in hot, humid tropical areas like India much to frequently.
