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'. They will (A)/ leave the office at six and (B)/ reach at home by seven. (C)/ No error (D)
C
Understanding the Grammar Question
The question asks us to identify if there is a grammatical error in any part of the given sentence: "They will (A)/ leave the office at six and (B)/ reach at home by seven. (C)/ No error (D)". We need to examine each part (A), (B), and (C) to find any potential errors in grammar, usage, or structure.
Analyzing Each Part of the Sentence
Let's break down the sentence and look at each segment:
- Part (A): "They will" - This part uses the subject "They" and the future auxiliary verb "will". This is grammatically correct for indicating future action.
- Part (B): "leave the office at six and" - This part uses the verb "leave" followed by the object "the office". The preposition "at" is correctly used with a specific time "six". The conjunction "and" connects this action to the next. This part is grammatically sound.
- Part (C): "reach at home by seven." - This part uses the verb "reach". The preposition "at" is used before the noun "home". The preposition "by" is used with a time "seven" to indicate completion by that time. This is where we need to check for an error, specifically with "reach at home".
Identifying the Grammar Error
The error lies in Part (C). The verb "reach" is a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes a direct object without needing a preposition to connect it to the object. When you "reach" a place, you simply "reach" that place. You do not usually "reach at" a place, especially when the place is "home".
Correct usage examples:
- We reached the station on time.
- They reached the summit after a long climb.
- I will reach home by seven.
The preposition "at" is redundant and incorrect after "reach" when referring to arriving at "home".
The Correct Sentence Structure
To correct the sentence, we should remove the preposition "at" from part (C). The corrected sentence would be:
"They will leave the office at six and reach home by seven."
Since the error is in Part (C), that is the part we need to select.
Summary of Error Location
| Part | Sentence Segment | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | They will | Correct subject-verb agreement, future tense formation. | No |
| B | leave the office at six and | Correct use of 'leave' and 'at' with time. | No |
| C | reach at home by seven. | Incorrect use of 'at' after the transitive verb 'reach' before 'home'. | Yes |
| D | No error | Sentence contains an error in part C. | No (This option is incorrect) |
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the grammatical error is found in part (C) of the sentence, specifically the phrase "reach at home". The correct phrasing should be "reach home".
Revision Table: Correcting Grammar Errors
| Incorrect Phrase | Correct Phrase | Grammar Rule/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| reach at home | reach home | 'Reach' is a transitive verb; it takes a direct object ('home') without needing a preposition like 'at'. |
| arrive to a place | arrive at a place (for small/medium places) | 'Arrive' is often intransitive and needs a preposition ('at' or 'in') to indicate location. Use 'at' for points or specific locations. |
| arrive in a country/city | arrive in a country/city | Use 'in' with 'arrive' for larger geographical areas like countries or cities. |
Additional Information: Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
Understanding transitive and intransitive verbs is crucial for identifying preposition errors like the one in this sentence.
- Transitive Verbs: These verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. The action passes from the subject directly to the object. Examples: eat (ate pizza), buy (bought a car), reach (reach home).
- Intransitive Verbs: These verbs do not require a direct object. Their meaning is complete by themselves or with modifying phrases (which often use prepositions). Examples: sleep (slept soundly), arrive (arrive at the station), walk (walked in the park).
Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on the context. However, "reach" when meaning to arrive at a destination is typically used transitively without a preposition before the destination (unless it's a complex phrase). "Home" in this context functions like a direct object.
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)
