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'. Her elegance (1)/ makes her (2)/ an attracting lady. (3)/ No error (4)
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Analyzing Grammar Errors in Sentences
The question asks us to identify the part of the given sentence that contains a grammatical error. The sentence is broken down into four parts:
- (1) Her elegance
- (2) makes her
- (3) an attracting lady.
- (4) No error
Let's examine each part to check for any potential errors.
Part (1): Her elegance
This part consists of a possessive pronoun "Her" followed by the noun "elegance". This phrase functions correctly as the subject of the sentence's main clause. There is no apparent grammatical error in this part.
Part (2): makes her
This part contains the verb "makes" which agrees with the singular subject "elegance". It is followed by the object pronoun "her". This structure "makes + object" is common in English when discussing the effect of something on someone. There is no grammatical error in this part.
Part (3): an attracting lady.
This part describes the object "her". The phrase is "an attracting lady". Here, "attracting" is used as an adjective to describe "lady". "Attracting" is the present participle of the verb "attract". While present participles can function as adjectives (e.g., 'a burning fire'), they often describe something that *performs* the action (the fire *burns*). When describing someone who possesses the quality of being pleasing or beautiful, the adjective derived from "attract" is "attractive", not "attracting". "Attractive" means having the power to attract or delight; charming or appealing in appearance or character. Using "attracting" here implies the lady is actively *attracting* something, rather than possessing the quality of being attractive.
Therefore, the correct phrase should be "an attractive lady". This indicates that part (3) contains the error.
Part (4): No error
Since we have identified an error in part (3), part (4) is not the correct option.
Conclusion on Sentence Error
Based on the analysis, the error lies in part (3) where "attracting" is used instead of "attractive" to describe the lady's quality.
The sentence should correctly read: "Her elegance makes her an attractive lady."
Statement-wise Analysis Table
| Part | Phrase | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | Her elegance | Subject phrase, grammatically sound. | No |
| (2) | makes her | Verb phrase, agrees with subject, correct pronoun usage. | No |
| (3) | an attracting lady. | Adjective usage. "Attracting" (present participle as adjective) is incorrectly used instead of "attractive" (proper adjective). | Yes |
| (4) | No error | Not applicable as an error exists. | N/A |
Correct Option
The part of the sentence with the error is (3).
Revision Table: Attracting vs. Attractive
| Word | Type | Common Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attracting | Present Participle / Adjective | Describes something that performs the action of attracting. | An attracting force pulled the objects together. |
| Attractive | Adjective | Describes something that is pleasing or has the power to attract. | She was wearing an attractive dress. |
Additional Information: Adjectives from Verbs
English often forms adjectives from verbs, sometimes using present participles (-ing) and sometimes past participles (-ed), and sometimes completely different forms.
- Present Participles (-ing): Often describe the thing or person causing the feeling or state. Examples: 'interesting book' (the book causes interest), 'boring lecture' (the lecture causes boredom), 'charming smile' (the smile causes charm).
- Past Participles (-ed): Often describe the person experiencing the feeling or state. Examples: 'interested reader' (the reader feels interest), 'bored student' (the student feels boredom), 'charmed audience' (the audience feels charm).
- Other Adjective Forms: Many verbs also have dedicated adjective forms that don't end in -ing or -ed, like 'attract' $\rightarrow$ 'attractive', 'create' $\rightarrow$ 'creative', 'depend' $\rightarrow$ 'dependent'.
In the case of 'attract', while 'attracting' can be used as a participle, 'attractive' is the standard adjective used to describe someone or something that is pleasing or beautiful in appearance.
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)
