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'. Delhi had been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several (1)/ times and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number (2)/ of cities spread across the metropolitan region. (3)/ No error (4)
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Understanding the Sentence Structure and Identifying Errors
The question asks us to identify the part of the sentence that contains an error. The sentence is divided into three numbered parts, and we need to examine each part for grammatical correctness or issues in phrasing.
Let's look at the sentence again, noting the divisions indicated by the numbers:
Delhi had been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several (1)/ times and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number (2)/ of cities spread across the metropolitan region. (3)/ No error (4)
Based on the numbering convention used in such questions, the number indicates the end of a particular part. So, the parts are:
- Part 1: Delhi had been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several
- Part 2: times and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number
- Part 3: of cities spread across the metropolitan region.
- Part 4: No error
Analyzing Each Part for Grammar Issues
Let's examine each part based on this breakdown:
- Part 1: "Delhi had been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several". This part ends with the word "several". "Several" is a quantifier that typically precedes a plural noun (e.g., several books, several days, several times). Ending the part with "several" leaves the phrase incomplete. Therefore, Part 1 contains a grammatical error because it cuts off a phrase mid-way.
- Part 2: "times and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number". This part begins with "times", which completes the phrase "several times" from the previous part. The rest of this part, "and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number", is grammatically sound so far. "a number of" is a standard phrase used before a plural noun.
- Part 3: "of cities spread across the metropolitan region.". This part continues the phrase "a number of cities" and adds descriptive information about these cities. "Spread across the metropolitan region" is a valid participial phrase modifying "cities". This part is grammatically correct.
- Part 4: "No error". This option is chosen if none of the other parts contain an error.
Identifying the Erroneous Part
Based on our analysis, Part 1 contains a clear error because it ends with the word "several", making the phrase grammatically incomplete. The intended phrase was likely "several times", but the division split these two words into different parts.
Therefore, the error is in Part 1.
Example of Correct Sentence Structure
If the sentence were not split into parts, it would read: "Delhi had been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region." This sentence is grammatically correct as a whole.
The error arises from the incorrect division of the sentence into parts, specifically at the end of Part 1.
Conclusion on Sentence Error
The error lies in Part 1 due to the sentence being improperly split, leaving an incomplete phrase at the end of that section.
Revision Table: Common Sentence Structure Errors
| Error Type | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence Fragment | An incomplete sentence, missing a subject or verb, or dependent clause presented as a complete sentence. | Walking to the store. (Needs a subject and main verb) |
| Run-On Sentence | Two or more independent clauses joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunction. | The sun was setting the birds were singing. (Needs punctuation or conjunction) |
| Comma Splice | Two independent clauses joined only by a comma. | It was a beautiful day, I decided to go for a walk. (Comma should be replaced by semicolon, period, or conjunction) |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The verb does not agree in number with its subject. | The team are playing well. (Should be 'team is') |
Additional Information: Understanding Sentence Parts and Phrases
A sentence is typically made up of clauses and phrases. Understanding these components helps in identifying errors.
- Clause: A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause cannot stand alone.
- Phrase: A group of related words that functions as a single part of speech but does not contain a subject and verb combination (e.g., noun phrase, verb phrase, adjectival phrase, adverbial phrase, prepositional phrase, participial phrase).
In the given sentence, "several times" is an adverbial phrase indicating frequency. Splitting this phrase across two numbered parts creates a structural error in the breakdown provided.
Recognizing where natural phrases and clauses end is crucial when analyzing sentences divided into parts for error identification.
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)
