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'. Mothers keep on (A)/ to encouraging their children (B)/ to study. (C)/ No Error (D)
B
Understanding Sentence Error Detection
This question asks us to identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error. We need to examine each part of the sentence carefully to find any incorrect usage of words, verb forms, prepositions, or other grammatical structures.
Analyzing the Sentence Parts
Let's break down the sentence into the given parts:
- (A) Mothers keep on
- (B) to encouraging their children
- (C) to study.
- (D) No Error
Examining Each Part for Grammatical Errors
Part (A): Mothers keep on
This part of the sentence, "Mothers keep on," is grammatically correct. "Mothers" is a plural noun, and "keep on" is the correct form of the verb phrase for a plural subject in the present tense. The phrase "keep on" means to continue doing something.
Part (B): to encouraging their children
This part contains the potential error. The verb phrase "keep on" is an idiom that is typically followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) to indicate continuous action. The structure should be "keep on + gerund". Here, it is followed by "to encouraging", which is incorrect. The correct structure should be "encouraging".
The phrase should be "keep on encouraging their children".
Part (C): to study.
This part, "to study," follows the main action "encouraging their children". Mothers encourage their children *to do what*? To study. The infinitive form "to study" correctly indicates the purpose or the encouraged action here. This part is grammatically correct in the context of the sentence.
Identifying the Error
Based on the analysis, the error lies in part (B), where "to encouraging" is used instead of the correct gerund form "encouraging" after the verb phrase "keep on".
Corrected Sentence
The corrected sentence would be: "Mothers keep on encouraging their children to study."
Summary of Error Analysis
| Part | Phrase | Analysis | Error |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Mothers keep on | Correct subject-verb agreement and verb phrase usage. | No |
| B | to encouraging their children | Incorrect form after "keep on"; should be a gerund (-ing form). | Yes |
| C | to study. | Correct use of infinitive to indicate the action being encouraged. | No |
Therefore, the part of the sentence with the error is (B).
Revision Table: Common Verb Patterns
| Verb/Phrase | Followed by | Example |
|---|---|---|
| keep on | Gerund (-ing) | She kept on talking. |
| stop | Gerund (-ing) or Infinitive (to + verb) | He stopped smoking. (quit) He stopped to smoke. (paused to do it) |
| enjoy | Gerund (-ing) | They enjoy traveling. |
| decide | Infinitive (to + verb) | We decided to leave. |
Additional Information: Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
Understanding which form of a verb (gerund or infinitive) follows another verb or verb phrase is crucial for correct sentence construction. Many verbs are consistently followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, while some can be followed by both, sometimes with a change in meaning.
- Verbs followed by Gerunds: Examples include admit, avoid, consider, deny, discuss, finish, imagine, mind, miss, recommend, suggest, risk, practice, etc.
- Verbs followed by Infinitives: Examples include agree, ask, decide, expect, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, want, wish, etc.
- Verbs followed by either (often with meaning change): Examples include stop, remember, forget, try, regret, etc.
- Phrasal verbs like "keep on" are often followed by a gerund. Other examples include "give up" (give up smoking), "put off" (put off deciding), "carry on" (carry on working).
In this question, the phrase "keep on" belongs to the category that requires a gerund, making "encouraging" the correct form.
Similar Questions
Select the segment in which a word has been INCORRECTLY used.
The children were so exhausted that they sank warily into bed.
Identify the segment in the sentence which contains a grammatical error.
I didn’t knew you had gone to Goa for a vacation.
Directions: The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
One of / the biggest enterprise / in India / is declaring a lockout.
Directions: The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options.
Ranbir could not went / to the award ceremony / as he was busy / shooting / for a film / in the Maldives.
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options.
No sooner did Priya / get her report card / when she started jumping / with joy.
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options.
Lalitha will go / to sister’s house / in Mumbai / this summer.
Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
A misunderstanding has crept between he and his sister.
Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
The people living in coastal areas were evacuated by time.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
You should/ have respond / to my query / sooner.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.
Athens was / a most luminous / of all city-states / of ancient Greece.
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)
