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.
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)
