Each question 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. If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d). Neither of these two documents (a)/ support your claim (b)/ on the property (c)/ No error (d)/
b
Understanding the Sentence Structure and Identifying Errors
This question asks us to find an error in a sentence which is divided into three parts: (a), (b), and (c). We need to examine each part carefully to check for grammatical mistakes, subject-verb agreement issues, correct usage of prepositions, etc.
Analyzing the Sentence Parts
Let's break down the sentence part by part:
- Part (a): "Neither of these two documents"
- Part (b): "support your claim"
- Part (c): "on the property"
Detailed Analysis of Each Part
Understanding Part (a): "Neither of these two documents"
This part introduces the subject of the sentence. The phrase starts with "Neither of". When "Neither of" is followed by a plural noun or pronoun (like "these two documents"), the subject is considered singular for the purpose of verb agreement. "Neither" implies "not one of the two", emphasizing the singular nature.
Analyzing Part (b): "support your claim"
This part contains the main verb of the sentence, which is "support". We need to check if this verb agrees with the subject identified in part (a). As discussed, the subject "Neither of these two documents" requires a singular verb.
- The verb "support" is in the base form, which is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They support").
- For a singular subject in the simple present tense, we need to add '-s' or '-es' to the base verb (e.g., "He supports", "It supports").
Since the subject "Neither of these two documents" is singular, the verb should be "supports", not "support". This indicates an error in part (b).
Examining Part (c): "on the property"
This part is a prepositional phrase modifying "claim". The preposition "on" is correctly used in the context of claiming something related to a property. There is no apparent grammatical error in this part.
Identifying the Error Location
Based on our analysis, the error lies in part (b) because the plural verb "support" does not agree with the singular subject introduced by "Neither of these two documents". The correct verb form should be "supports".
Correcting the Sentence
The corrected sentence would read: "Neither of these two documents supports your claim on the property."
Conclusion
The error is found in part (b) of the sentence.
Revision Table: Key Grammatical Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. | A student studies. Students study. |
| Neither of... Structure | When "Neither of" is followed by a plural noun or pronoun, the verb is typically singular. | Neither of the boys is here. Neither of them knows the answer. |
Additional Information: More on Indefinite Pronouns
Understanding indefinite pronouns like "neither" is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement. Here are a few points:
- Singular Indefinite Pronouns: These always take a singular verb. Examples include: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, everything, someone, somebody, something, anyone, anybody, anything, no one, nobody, nothing.
- Plural Indefinite Pronouns: These always take a plural verb. Examples include: several, few, both, many.
- Indefinite Pronouns that can be Singular or Plural: Some pronouns like "some", "any", "none", "all", "most" can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to.
In the case of "neither", it is generally treated as singular, especially in formal writing, even when followed by "of + plural noun".
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)
