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'. The Bench will also have to say (1)/ whether the laws are really at consonance with (2)/ the basic tenets of the 1960 Act. (3)/ No error (4)
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Understanding Sentence Errors and Prepositions
The question asks us to identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error. Let's examine each part of the sentence carefully.
The given sentence is:
The Bench will also have to say (1)/ whether the laws are really at consonance with (2)/ the basic tenets of the 1960 Act. (3)/ No error (4)
Analyzing Each Part of the Sentence
- Part (1): "The Bench will also have to say"
This part introduces the subject ("The Bench") and a future action ("will also have to say"). Grammatically, this structure is correct and makes sense in the context.
- Part (2): "whether the laws are really at consonance with"
This part discusses whether the laws align with something. The phrase "at consonance with" is used here. Let's check if this is the correct idiomatic expression.
- Part (3): "the basic tenets of the 1960 Act."
This part specifies what the laws should be in consonance with. "Basic tenets" is a correct phrase referring to fundamental principles. The use of "of the 1960 Act" is also standard for indicating possession or relation.
- Part (4): No error
This option is selected if no error is found in any part of the sentence.
Identifying the Grammar Error
The error lies in Part (2). The phrase "consonance with" is an idiom used to express agreement, compatibility, or accord with something. The correct preposition to use with "consonance" in this context is "in", not "at".
The standard idiom is "in consonance with".
Correcting the Erroneous Part
Instead of "at consonance with", the phrase should be "in consonance with".
So, Part (2) should read: "whether the laws are really in consonance with"
The Corrected Sentence
The Bench will also have to say whether the laws are really in consonance with the basic tenets of the 1960 Act.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the error is in Part (2) of the sentence due to the incorrect preposition "at" being used instead of "in" with the word "consonance". Therefore, option 2 is the correct answer.
| Part | Text | Error Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | The Bench will also have to say | Grammatically correct. |
| (2) | whether the laws are really at consonance with | Incorrect preposition. Should be "in consonance with". |
| (3) | the basic tenets of the 1960 Act. | Grammatically correct. |
Revision Table: Common Idioms with Prepositions
| Incorrect Usage (Example) | Correct Usage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| At consonance with | In consonance with | In agreement or harmony with |
| Responsible for doing something | Responsible for something | Accountable for something |
| Differ from someone/something (meaning 'to disagree') | Differ with someone/something (meaning 'to disagree') | |
| Differ to someone/something (meaning 'to be unlike') | Differ from someone/something (meaning 'to be unlike') |
Additional Information on Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases are groups of words containing a preposition, its object (a noun or pronoun), and any modifiers of the object. They function in a sentence as adjectives or adverbs, adding detail or context.
Sometimes, specific nouns or adjectives pair with particular prepositions to form idiomatic expressions, like "in consonance with". Learning these fixed expressions is crucial for mastering English grammar and usage. Using the wrong preposition can make a sentence sound awkward or even change its intended meaning.
Examples of other common prepositional phrases:
- On behalf of (representing someone)
- By means of (using something to achieve a goal)
- In addition to (besides)
- With regard to (concerning)
Paying attention to these fixed pairings is key to avoiding preposition errors in sentence correction questions.
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)
