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'. Agriculture was the key development, whereby farming (1)/ of domesticated species creation food (2)/ surpluses nurturing the development of civilisation. (3)/ No error (4)
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Analyzing the Sentence for Grammar Errors
Let's carefully examine each part of the given sentence to identify any potential grammatical errors. The sentence discusses the role of agriculture in the development of civilisation.
The sentence is broken down into three parts:
- Agriculture was the key development, whereby farming
- of domesticated species creation food
- surpluses nurturing the development of civilisation.
Detailed Analysis of Each Part
Part 1: Agriculture was the key development, whereby farming
This part introduces the main subject, agriculture, and its significance as a key development. The use of "whereby" correctly links the development (agriculture) to the means or process by which it occurred (farming). Grammatically, this part appears correct.
Part 2: of domesticated species creation food
This part describes what the farming of domesticated species resulted in. The phrase "farming of domesticated species" is grammatically sound. However, the following phrase "creation food" is grammatically incorrect in this context. We need a word that shows the result or effect of farming. The sentence structure suggests a process or action that leads to food surpluses. The noun "creation" doesn't fit here to describe this action. Instead, a gerund or a present participle is needed to indicate the action of producing or making food.
Consider the potential corrections:
- Using a gerund: "creating food surpluses" - This indicates the action of farming results in the act of creating food surpluses.
- Using a past participle with a linking verb (less likely here given the flow): "which created food surpluses"
The most likely intended structure continues the participial/gerund phrase flow from "farming," suggesting "farming of domesticated species creating food surpluses...". Therefore, "creation" should be "creating".
Part 3: surpluses nurturing the development of civilisation.
Assuming the correction in Part 2 to "creating food surpluses," this part follows logically. "Nurturing the development of civilisation" acts as a participial phrase modifying "surpluses" (or the entire process of creating surpluses). It explains the consequence of having food surpluses. This part is grammatically correct in structure and meaning, following from a corrected Part 2.
Identifying the Error Location
Based on the analysis, the error lies in Part 2, specifically the word "creation" which should be "creating" to form a grammatically correct and meaningful phrase describing the outcome of farming domesticated species.
Corrected Sentence
Agriculture was the key development, whereby farming of domesticated species creating food surpluses nurturing the development of civilisation.
Conclusion
The error is found in part (2) of the sentence.
| Part | Sentence Fragment | Analysis | Error Present? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture was the key development, whereby farming | Connects agriculture to farming process. Grammatically correct. | No |
| 2 | of domesticated species creation food | "creation food" is incorrect; needs "creating food" to describe the action leading to surpluses. | Yes |
| 3 | surpluses nurturing the development of civilisation. | Describes the effect of surpluses using a participial phrase. Grammatically correct following Part 2 correction. | No |
Revision Table: Grammar Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | A verb form ending in -ing used as a noun. | Swimming is fun. |
| Present Participle | A verb form ending in -ing used as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense, or in participial phrases. | The running man is fast. He is running. Running quickly, he caught the bus. |
| Participial Phrase | A phrase containing a participle (present or past) and any complements or modifiers, functioning as an adjective. | The dog barking loudly belongs to my neighbor. |
| Word Form | Choosing the correct form of a word (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.) based on its function in the sentence. | Using "create" (verb), "creation" (noun), "creative" (adjective), "creatively" (adverb). |
Additional Information: Understanding Word Forms
In English grammar, selecting the correct form of a word is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Words often have different forms depending on whether they are used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. In this sentence, the word "creation" is a noun, meaning the act of creating or something created. However, the context requires a word that describes the action of farming leading to food surpluses. This action is best described by the present participle or gerund form of the verb "create," which is "creating."
Using "creating" functions here as part of a phrase that modifies or explains the outcome of "farming of domesticated species," indicating the ongoing process that produced the surpluses. If we used the noun "creation," the phrase "creation food surpluses" doesn't grammatically connect the act of creating to the surpluses in the intended way.
This example highlights the importance of understanding how different word forms function within sentence structure to convey meaning correctly.
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)
