Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts, labelled as (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response on 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). These equipments (a)/ must have (b)/ cost a fortune. (c)/ No error (d)
a
Equipments: Noun Usage Error Analysis
This question requires us to identify a grammatical error in the sentence provided. We need to carefully check the underlined portions of the sentence: "These equipments (a)/ must have (b)/ cost a fortune. (c)/ No error (d)". The focus is on finding any mistake related to grammar, word usage, or structure.
Understanding Noun Pluralization Rules
A key concept in English grammar is the distinction between countable and uncountable nouns. Uncountable nouns, also known as mass nouns, refer to things that cannot be counted as separate units. Examples include concepts like 'information', 'advice', 'luggage', 'furniture', and importantly, 'equipment'.
- Uncountable nouns do not typically form a plural by adding '-s' or '-es'. The form remains the same whether referring to one instance or multiple instances.
- Correct usage involves using singular verbs and appropriate determiners (e.g., 'this', 'that', 'much', 'a piece of').
Analyzing the Sentence Components
Let's examine each underlined part:
- Part (a): "These equipments"
- The word 'equipment' is an uncountable noun.
- The form "equipments" is incorrect because uncountable nouns are not typically pluralized. The correct form is always 'equipment'.
- The determiner "These" is a plural determiner used for countable items. Using "These" with the inherently singular, uncountable noun "equipment" (especially when incorrectly written as "equipments") is grammatically incorrect. The correct determiner would be singular, like "This", or a phrase indicating multiple items, like "These pieces of".
- Part (b): "must have"
- This phrase functions as a modal verb construction, expressing a past probability or deduction. It is used correctly here.
- Part (c): "cost a fortune"
- "Cost" is the correct past tense of the verb "cost". This phrase is grammatically sound in the context of the sentence.
Identifying the Grammatical Error
The error clearly resides in Part (a). The combination of the plural determiner "These" with the incorrectly pluralized uncountable noun "equipments" violates standard English grammar rules.
Correcting the Sentence
To rectify the error, the noun phrase in part (a) needs correction. Here are suitable alternatives:
- Replace "These equipments" with "This equipment". The corrected sentence would be: "This equipment must have cost a fortune."
- Alternatively, specify the plurality using a countable noun phrase: "These pieces of equipment". The corrected sentence would be: "These pieces of equipment must have cost a fortune."
Summary of Noun Usage
The table below illustrates the correct usage for the noun 'equipment':
| Noun | Type | Incorrect Plural Form | Correct Usage | Example Sentence Fragment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Uncountable | Equipments | Equipment | This equipment / Some equipment / Pieces of equipment |
Therefore, the error identified is in the first part of the sentence, relating to the incorrect usage of the noun 'equipment' and the determiner 'These'.
Similar Questions
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Direction: Choose the part with the error.
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I waited (a) for her return (b) with growing unease. (c) No error. (d)
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.
