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
B
Understanding the Sentence and Identifying Grammar Errors
The question asks us to identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error. We need to examine each underlined segment carefully and check for issues like subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, correct usage of prepositions, and other grammatical rules.
Let's break down the sentence: "Over long periods of time, layers of sediments builds up to a height of a few kilometers."
Analyzing Each Underlined Part
- (a) Over long periods of time,
This phrase indicates a duration or span of time. "Over" used with "periods of time" is grammatically correct in this context. The structure and wording here are standard and seem to contain no error.
- (b) layers of sediments builds up
This part contains the subject and the main verb of the clause. The subject is "layers of sediments". The core subject is "layers", which is a plural noun. The verb is "builds up". In simple present tense, a plural subject takes the base form of the verb (without -s or -es). A singular subject takes the verb form ending in -s or -es.
Let's look at the subject and verb agreement:
- Subject: "layers" (plural)
- Verb: "builds up" (singular form)
- (c) to a height of a few kilometers.
This phrase indicates the extent or result of the build-up. "To a height of" is a standard way to express the final vertical measurement reached. "A few kilometers" correctly quantifies the height. This part is grammatically sound and seems to have no error.
Identifying the Specific Error
Based on our analysis, the error lies in part (b) due to incorrect subject-verb agreement. The plural subject "layers" should be followed by the plural verb "build up", not the singular "builds up".
The corrected sentence would be: "Over long periods of time, layers of sediments build up to a height of a few kilometers."
Conclusion
The error is found in part (b) of the sentence.
| Part | Text | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Over long periods of time, | Correct use of time phrase. | No |
| (b) | layers of sediments builds up | Subject "layers" (plural) requires verb "build up" (plural form). "Builds up" is singular. | Yes |
| (c) | to a height of a few kilometers. | Correct phrase indicating extent. | No |
Revision Table: Subject-Verb Agreement Basics
| Subject Type | Verb Form (Simple Present) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Noun (e.g., layer, student) | Verb + -s/-es | A layer builds up. The student studies. |
| Plural Noun (e.g., layers, students) | Base form of verb | Layers build up. The students study. |
| Pronoun I | Base form of verb | I build. I study. |
| Pronoun You | Base form of verb | You build. You study. |
| Pronoun He/She/It | Verb + -s/-es | He builds. She studies. |
| Pronoun We/They | Base form of verb | We build. They study. |
Additional Information on Grammar and Sentence Structure
Understanding the basic structure of a sentence, including the subject and verb, is crucial for identifying grammatical errors like subject-verb agreement issues. The subject is typically the noun or pronoun performing the action, and the verb describes the action or state of being.
- Subject: The noun or pronoun that is doing the verb's action or being described by the verb. In "layers of sediments," the main subject is "layers." The phrase "of sediments" modifies "layers" but does not change whether the subject is singular or plural.
- Verb: The word that shows an action, event, or state of being. In this sentence, the verb is "builds up."
- Prepositional Phrases: Phrases like "Over long periods of time" and "of sediments" or "to a height of a few kilometers" are prepositional phrases. They add extra information about time, description, or extent. While important for meaning, they usually do not affect the core subject-verb agreement within the main clause unless the subject itself is a pronoun referring to the object of the preposition (e.g., "All of the cake *is* eaten," vs. "All of the cookies *are* eaten").
Paying attention to whether the subject is singular or plural is the first step in ensuring correct subject-verb agreement in the simple present tense.
Similar Questions
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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.
