Directions: Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’. He is one (A) / of greatest (B) / leaders of my country. (C) / More than one of the above (D) / None of the above (E)
B
Finding the Error in the Sentence
The question asks us to identify if there is an error in any underlined part of the sentence: "He is one (A) / of greatest (B) / leaders of my country. (C)". We need to examine each part.
Analysing Sentence Parts
Let's look at the different parts of the sentence:
- (A) He is one: This part seems grammatically correct. It introduces the subject and the beginning of a phrase indicating selection from a group.
- (B) of greatest: This part uses the word "greatest", which is the superlative form of the adjective "great".
- (C) leaders of my country: This part refers to a group of people, "leaders", and specifies the group as being "of my country".
Understanding the Rule: "One of the" Construction
When we use the phrase "one of the" followed by a superlative adjective, we must use the definite article "the" before the superlative. This structure is used to indicate that the subject is one item from a group that possesses the highest degree of a certain quality.
The general structure is:
- One of the + Superlative Adjective + Plural Noun
For example:
- One of the tallest buildings
- One of the best students
- One of the most important issues
Identifying the Error in Part (B)
In the given sentence, part (B) is "of greatest". "Greatest" is a superlative adjective. According to the rule for the "one of the" construction, the definite article "the" is missing before the superlative "greatest".
The correct phrasing should be "one of the greatest leaders".
Therefore, the error lies in part (B) because it lacks the definite article "the".
Conclusion
Based on the grammatical rule regarding the use of superlative adjectives with the "one of the" construction, the error is found in part (B) of the sentence.
Important Questions from Error Spotting
Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined 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 honest mistake (a) / is no more than that; (b) / just an honest mistake. (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined 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 company of five thousand soldiers , (a) / having marched tirelessly for over five days , (b) / have just moved into their cantonment . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined 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).
Every person who believes in principles (a) / must stand up to fight (b) / for their convictions . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined 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).
The Olympic Games reflects(a) / the highest spirit of (b) / human endeavour and achievement . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined 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).
The principal of the school (a) / stressed the need for discipline (b) / amongst the students. (c) / No error (d)
