Directions Some of the following sentences are grammatically correct and some are incorrect. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and mark that part. If there is no error mark that part as your answer. Another baffling change (A) / that I notice in him now-a-days (B) / is that he avoids to speak to me. (C) / No error (D)
C
The question asks to identify the grammatically incorrect part in the given sentence. Let's analyze each part of the sentence: "Another baffling change (A) / that I notice in him now-a-days (B) / is that he avoids to speak to me. (C) / No error (D)"
Grammar Error in Sentence Part C
Upon careful examination, the error lies in part (C) of the sentence: "is that he avoids to speak to me."
Understanding the Verb "Avoid"
In English grammar, certain verbs are typically followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun), not an infinitive (to + base form of the verb). The verb "avoid" is one such verb.
- The correct structure should be: verb (avoid) + gerund (speaking).
Detailed Analysis of the Sentence Parts
- Part (A): "Another baffling change"
This part is grammatically correct. "Another" is a determiner, "baffling" is a present participle acting as an adjective modifying "change."
- Part (B): "that I notice in him now-a-days"
This part is also grammatically sound. "That" introduces a relative clause modifying "change." "Now-a-days" is correctly used as an adverbial phrase indicating time.
- Part (C): "is that he avoids to speak to me."
This is the problematic part. The verb "avoids" should be followed by a gerund. The phrase "to speak" is an infinitive. Therefore, "avoids to speak" is incorrect.
The correct phrasing should be "avoids speaking."
- Part (D): "No error"
Since an error has been identified in part (C), this option is not applicable.
Correct Usage of "Avoid" with Gerunds
The verb "avoid" means to keep away from or stop oneself from doing something. When followed by another verb, that verb must be in its gerund form. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: He avoids to eat junk food.
- Correct: He avoids eating junk food.
- Incorrect: She avoided to answer my question.
- Correct: She avoided answering my question.
Other common verbs that are followed by gerunds include:
- Enjoy (e.g., enjoying reading)
- Finish (e.g., finishing studying)
- Mind (e.g., mind opening)
- Suggest (e.g., suggesting going)
- Recommend (e.g., recommending visiting)
The Corrected Sentence
Based on the grammatical rule, the corrected sentence would be:
"Another baffling change that I notice in him now-a-days is that he avoids speaking to me."
Therefore, the error is in part (C).
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)
