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Question

Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.

This writing task are quite easy and interesting.

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2019 Previous Year Paper (24-Dec-2020) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

task are

Finding the Grammatical Error

The question asks us to identify the segment in the given sentence that contains a grammatical error. The sentence is:

"This writing task are quite easy and interesting."

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the fundamental rules of English grammar is subject-verb agreement. This rule states that a singular subject must take a singular verb, and a plural subject must take a plural verb.

Analyzing the Sentence

Let's break down the sentence to identify the subject and the verb:

  • Subject: "This writing task"
  • Verb: "are"
  • Rest of the sentence: "quite easy and interesting"

Now, let's determine if the subject is singular or plural.

  • The core subject is "task".
  • "This writing" modifies "task".
  • "Task" is a singular noun. Therefore, the subject "This writing task" is singular.

Next, let's look at the verb "are".

  • "Are" is the present tense form of the verb "to be".
  • "Are" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They are") or with the pronoun "you" (e.g., "You are").
  • The singular form of the verb "to be" for a third-person singular subject is "is" (e.g., "He is", "She is", "It is").

Identifying the Error Segment

Since the subject "This writing task" is singular, it requires a singular verb. The verb used is "are", which is plural. This creates a subject-verb agreement error.

The segment containing both the singular subject part ("task") and the incorrect plural verb ("are") is "task are".

To correct the sentence, the verb "are" should be replaced with the singular verb "is". The corrected sentence would be:

"This writing task is quite easy and interesting."

Comparing this with the given options:

  • Option 1: "quite easy" - This segment is grammatically correct.
  • Option 2: "This writing" - This segment is part of the subject and is grammatically correct on its own.
  • Option 3: "task are" - This segment contains the singular noun "task" immediately followed by the plural verb "are", which violates subject-verb agreement. This is the error.
  • Option 4: "and interesting" - This segment is an adjective phrase modifying the subject via the linking verb and is grammatically correct.

Therefore, the segment with the grammatical error is "task are".

Segment Analysis Grammatical Error?
quite easy Adjective phrase, grammatically sound. No
This writing Part of the subject, grammatically sound. No
task are Singular subject noun ('task') followed by plural verb ('are'). Violates subject-verb agreement. Yes
and interesting Part of the predicate, grammatically sound. No

Revision Table: Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject Type Example Subjects Verb Form (Present Tense)
Singular Noun task, book, dog, he, she, it takes singular verb (e.g., is, goes, writes)
Plural Noun tasks, books, dogs, they, we takes plural verb (e.g., are, go, write)
'I' I takes specific form (e.g., am, go, write)
'You' You (singular or plural) takes plural verb form (e.g., are, go, write)

Additional Information on Grammatical Errors

Identifying grammatical errors is key to writing clear and correct sentences. Common errors include:

  • Subject-Verb Agreement: As seen in this question, mismatch between the number (singular/plural) of the subject and the verb.
  • Pronoun Agreement: Using a pronoun that doesn't match its antecedent in number, gender, or person.
  • Tense Consistency: Shifting tenses inappropriately within a sentence or paragraph.
  • Dangling Modifiers: A modifier whose subject is unclear in the sentence.
  • run-On Sentences and Comma Splices: Incorrectly joining independent clauses.
  • Sentence Fragments: Incomplete sentences that lack a subject, verb, or both, or do not express a complete thought.

Practicing identifying subjects, verbs, and modifiers helps in spotting these common errors.

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Important Questions from Error Spotting

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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).

    This box(a)is heavy than(b) the other one.(c) No error. (d)

  4. 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).

    Thewriter does not have the freedom (a) to choose his own themes, (b) society thrusts them on him (c) No error. (d)

  5. The following question has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an 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).

    No one knows (a) why he did it, (b) or who was behind his doing it.(c) No error. (d)

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