Each item in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any part and if you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d). A time slot of fifteen minutes (a)/ are allowed (b)/ to each speaker. (c)/ No error (d)
b
Identifying Grammatical Errors in Sentences
This question asks us to examine a sentence divided into three parts to find if there is any grammatical error. If no error is found in any part, we should indicate (d).
The sentence is:
A time slot of fifteen minutes (a)/ are allowed (b)/ to each speaker. (c)/ No error (d)
Analyzing Part (a): A time slot of fifteen minutes
Let's look at the first part: "A time slot of fifteen minutes". In this phrase, the main subject is "A time slot". The phrase "of fifteen minutes" acts as a modifier, providing more detail about the time slot. The subject "A time slot" is singular.
Analyzing Part (b): are allowed
Now consider the second part: "are allowed". This part contains the verb phrase of the sentence. The verb used is "are allowed", which is in the plural form (part of the passive voice construction). According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Since the subject "A time slot" (from part a) is singular, the verb should also be singular. The singular form of "are allowed" in this context would be "is allowed". Therefore, there is an error in part (b) because the plural verb "are allowed" is used with the singular subject "A time slot".
Analyzing Part (c): to each speaker.
The third part is: "to each speaker." This phrase is a prepositional phrase indicating who the time slot is allowed to. Grammatically, this part is correct and fits logically with the rest of the sentence.
Analyzing Part (d): No error
Since we found a grammatical error in part (b), option (d) "No error" is incorrect.
Subject-Verb Agreement Explained
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar. It means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
In cases where a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb, the verb must still agree with the subject, not with the noun or pronoun in the prepositional phrase. In our sentence, "of fifteen minutes" is a prepositional phrase, and "minutes" is plural, but it is not the subject. The subject is "A time slot", which is singular.
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence should be:
A time slot of fifteen minutes is allowed to each speaker.
Revision Table: Analyzing Sentence Parts
| Part | Text | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | A time slot of fifteen minutes | Subject identified as "A time slot" (singular). Modifier "of fifteen minutes". | No |
| (b) | are allowed | Verb phrase. Uses plural form "are allowed". | Yes (Verb should be singular "is allowed" to agree with singular subject "A time slot") |
| (c) | to each speaker. | Prepositional phrase. Grammatically correct in this context. | No |
| (d) | No error | Incorrect as there is an error in part (b). | No |
Additional Information on Subject-Verb Agreement
Understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial for writing grammatically correct sentences. Here are some key points to remember:
- Singular subjects take singular verbs (e.g., He runs, The dog barks, A book is).
- Plural subjects take plural verbs (e.g., They run, The dogs bark, Books are).
- Phrases like "as well as", "in addition to", "together with" do not change the number of the subject (e.g., The manager, as well as his team, is arriving).
- Indefinite pronouns like "each", "either", "neither", "everyone", "everybody", "anyone", "anybody", "no one", "nobody", "someone", "somebody" are singular and take a singular verb (e.g., Everyone is here).
- Indefinite pronouns like "several", "few", "both", "many" are plural and take a plural verb (e.g., Many are called).
- Indefinite pronouns like "some", "any", "none", "all", "most" can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to (e.g., Some of the water is gone, Some of the students are absent).
Similar Questions
Some parts of the sentence have an error and some parts are correct. Find out which part of the sentence has an error. If a sentence is free from error, choose 'No error' as the answer.
The practical uses of astrology (a) / have seldom been seriously (b) / studied outside India. (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).
Failure is the stepping stone to success; (a) / however, successive failures are not (b) / successive stepping stones to success. (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 greatest glory in life (a) / is to be able to realize ones dreams and ambitions (b) / without trampling on those of others. (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).
To be able to manage one's (a) / anger is a reflection of an individual's (b) / psychological maturity. (c) / No error (d)Each item in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any part and if you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
Work hard (a)/ lest you do not (b)/ fail. (c)/ No error (d)
Each item in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any part and if you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
Every one (a)/ of the boys (b)/ love to ride. (c)/ No error (d)
Direction: Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any part and if you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
He asked (a)/ whether either of the brothers (b)/ were at home. (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 find out 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) From thirty years(b) he has devoted himself to public affairs(c) without taking a holiday(d) No errorDirection: Read each sentence to find out whether there is an error in any part and if you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
The politician lost face in his constituency (a)/ when he broke the pre-election promises (b)/ he had made to his people . (c)/ No error (d)
Read each part of the sentence labelled (a), (b) and (c) to find out whether there is any error 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) Far from being appreciated,
b) his conduct was discussed
c) and sharply commented
d) No error
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).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
