Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence, which contains the grammatical error. It is difficult to make out that they are twins because they do not resemble to each other.
resemble to each other
Identifying Grammatical Errors in Sentences
Let's carefully examine the given sentence to find the grammatical error:
"It is difficult to make out that they are twins because they do not resemble to each other."
Analyzing the Sentence Structure and Verb Usage
The sentence describes a situation where telling twins apart is hard because they don't look alike. The core of the issue lies in the phrase "resemble to each other". Let's break down the options and focus on the verb resemble.
- Option 1: that they are twins - This phrase introduces a clause explaining what is difficult to make out. Grammatically, this part is correct.
- Option 2: because they do not - This is part of the clause giving the reason ("because they do not resemble..."). This fragment itself contains no error.
- Option 3: resemble to each other - This phrase contains the main verb resemble and a preposition to followed by the object "each other".
- Option 4: It is difficult to make out - This is the beginning of the sentence, setting up the main clause. The structure "It is difficult to do something" is grammatically correct. "Make out" meaning to discern or distinguish is also used correctly in this context.
Focus on the Verb 'Resemble'
The verb resemble means to be like or similar to someone or something. It is a transitive verb, which means it takes a direct object without needing a preposition like 'to'.
Correct usage examples:
- She resembles her mother. (Correct: resembles + direct object)
- The drawing resembles a cat. (Correct: resembles + direct object)
- These two birds resemble each other closely. (Correct: resemble + direct object 'each other')
Incorrect usage examples:
- She resembles to her mother. (Incorrect)
- The drawing resembles to a cat. (Incorrect)
- These two birds resemble to each other. (Incorrect)
In the given sentence, the phrase "resemble to each other" incorrectly uses the preposition to after the verb resemble. The correct phrasing should be "resemble each other".
Therefore, the segment containing the grammatical error is resemble to each other.
Revision Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
| Verb | Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Resemble | Resemble + Direct Object (e.g., resemble him, resemble each other) |
Resemble + to + Object (e.g., resemble to him, resemble to each other) |
The corrected sentence would be: "It is difficult to make out that they are twins because they do not resemble each other."
Identifying the Error Segment
Based on the analysis, the segment resemble to each other contains the grammatical error related to the incorrect use of the preposition 'to' after the verb 'resemble'.
Additional Information on Verb Usage Errors
Understanding which verbs are transitive (take a direct object without a preposition) and which are intransitive (do not take a direct object, or require a preposition) is key to avoiding common errors. Many verbs are misused with unnecessary prepositions, similar to how "resemble to" is used incorrectly here.
Examples of other verbs often misused with prepositions:
- Discuss: Correct - discuss a topic (NOT discuss about a topic)
- Enter: Correct - enter a room (NOT enter into a room, unless meaning 'become involved in')
- Comprise: Correct - The team comprises five members (NOT comprises of five members)
Paying attention to the correct patterns of verb usage is crucial for improving grammatical accuracy in English.
Important Questions from Error Spotting
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).
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This box(a)is heavy than(b) the other one.(c) No error. (d)
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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)
