In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. In my opinion (A)/a pencil is always (B)/ more preferable than a pen. (C)/ No error (D)
C
Analyzing the Grammar Error in the Sentence
The question asks us to identify the part of the given sentence that contains a grammar error. The sentence is divided into three parts: (A) "In my opinion", (B) "a pencil is always", and (C) "more preferable than a pen."
Let's examine each part carefully to check for any potential errors.
- Part (A): "In my opinion" - This is a standard introductory phrase used to express a personal view. It is grammatically correct and commonly used. There is no error in part (A).
- Part (B): "a pencil is always" - This part introduces the subject "a pencil" and uses the present tense verb "is" followed by the adverb "always". This structure is grammatically sound in this context. There is no error in part (B).
- Part (C): "more preferable than a pen." - This part expresses a comparison. The word "preferable" means "more desirable or suitable". It inherently carries the meaning of comparison, implying a preference over something else.
Understanding the Usage of 'Preferable'
The word "preferable" is an absolute comparative. This means it already indicates a higher degree of preference. Therefore, adding "more" before "preferable" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
Furthermore, the word "preferable" is typically followed by the preposition "to" when making a comparison, not "than". The correct structure is "preferable to".
So, the phrase "more preferable than" is incorrect on two counts: the use of "more" and the use of "than". The correct phrasing should be "preferable to".
Based on this analysis, the error lies in part (C) of the sentence, "more preferable than a pen."
Correcting the Sentence
The corrected sentence would be: "In my opinion, a pencil is always preferable to a pen."
Conclusion
The error is found in part (C) due to the incorrect use of "more" before "preferable" and the use of "than" instead of "to". Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer indicating the erroneous part.
| Part | Text | Error Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| (A) | In my opinion | Grammatically correct. |
| (B) | a pencil is always | Grammatically correct. |
| (C) | more preferable than a pen. | Incorrect usage of "more" and "than". Should be "preferable to". |
| (D) | No error | Incorrect, as an error exists in part (C). |
Revision Table: Common Grammar Errors with Comparatives
| Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| More preferable than | Preferable to | "Preferable" is an absolute comparative; use "to". |
| More unique | Unique | "Unique" means "one of a kind"; cannot be more or less unique. |
| Most perfect | Perfect | "Perfect" is an absolute adjective; cannot be more or most perfect. |
| More superior than | Superior to | "Superior" is an absolute comparative; use "to". |
| More interior than | Interior to | "Interior" is an absolute comparative; use "to". |
Additional Information: Absolute Comparatives and Superlatives
Some adjectives and adverbs express a state or quality that is absolute, meaning it cannot be intensified or compared in degrees. Examples include:
- Absolute adjectives: unique, perfect, complete, full, empty, dead, fatal, impossible, true, false, ultimate, sufficient.
- Adjectives ending in -er or -or often used as comparatives with 'to': superior, inferior, prior, anterior, posterior, exterior, interior, preferable. These words already imply a comparison and are typically followed by "to", not "than".
Using words like "more", "most", "very", "rather", etc., with these absolute terms is generally considered incorrect or redundant in formal grammar. For instance, you cannot be "more unique" because unique already means one of a kind. Something is either unique or not.
Similar Questions
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them may contain an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. If you don't find any error, mark 'No error' as your answer.
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The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
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- Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
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Important Questions from Error Spotting
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)/
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).
His grandfather (a) had told him to smoke (b) was a bad habit . (C) No Error (d)
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).
\({\rm{\;}}\frac{{{\rm{I\;am\;entirely\;agreeing\;with\;you}},{\rm{\;}}}}{{\left( {\rm{a}} \right)}}\;\frac{{{\rm{but\;I\;regret}}}}{{\left( {\rm{b}} \right)}}\;\frac{{{\rm{I\;can't\;help\;you}}.}}{{\left( {\rm{c}} \right)}}\;\frac{{{\rm{No\;error}}.}}{{\left( {\rm{d}} \right)}}\)
I am told-(a), John is ill-(b), since Monday-(c), No error-(d)
I shall leave school-(a), as soon as-(b), I shall find a job-(c), No error-(d)
