All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

In the given sentence, identify the segment which contains a grammatical error.

The staff is being advise to maintain distance while seated in office.

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2020-21 Previous Year Paper (15-Nov-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

is being advise

Identifying Grammatical Errors in Sentences

Let's carefully examine the provided sentence to find the grammatical error:

The staff is being advise to maintain distance while seated in office.

Analyzing the Verb Phrase

The sentence uses the passive voice. In the passive voice, the structure often involves a form of the verb 'to be' followed by the past participle of the main verb. The phrase in question is "is being advise".

The main verb here is 'advise'. The base form is 'advise', the past tense is 'advised', and the past participle is 'advised'.

When forming the passive voice with the continuous aspect (something is currently being done), the structure is 'is/am/are being' + past participle.

In the sentence, the phrase is "is being advise". Here, 'advise' is used instead of its past participle form.

The correct past participle of 'advise' is 'advised'.

Therefore, the phrase should correctly be "is being advised".

Locating the Error in the Sentence Segments

Let's look at the segments provided in the options:

  • in office: This part of the sentence seems grammatically correct in this context.
  • The staff: This is the subject of the sentence. 'Staff' can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context, but 'is' is used here, implying it's treated as a singular collective noun, which is acceptable. The error is not here.
  • to maintain: This is part of an infinitive phrase ("to maintain distance"). This is grammatically correct.
  • is being advise: This segment contains the verb phrase "is being advise", where 'advise' is incorrectly used instead of the past participle 'advised'.

The segment "is being advise" clearly contains the grammatical error because the passive voice requires the past participle form of the verb 'advise', which is 'advised'.

Incorrect Segment Correct Form Explanation
is being advise is being advised Passive voice requires the past participle (advised), not the base form (advise).

Correcting the Sentence

The corrected sentence would be:

The staff is being advised to maintain distance while seated in office.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the segment containing the grammatical error is "is being advise".

Revision Table: Grammatical Error Identification

Sentence Part Analysis Error Found?
The staff Subject, can be singular (with 'is'). No
is being advise Verb phrase in passive continuous voice. Needs past participle. Yes (advise vs advised)
to maintain Infinitive phrase. Correct form. No
distance while seated in office Adverbial phrase modifying how distance is maintained. Grammatically sound. No

Additional Information: Passive Voice and Verb Forms

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action and the object of the action, rather than the subject performing the action. The general structure is Subject + form of 'be' + Past Participle of the main verb.

Examples of passive voice:

  • The letter was written by John. (Simple Past Passive)
  • The work is being done by the team. (Present Continuous Passive)
  • The rules have been explained clearly. (Present Perfect Passive)

It is crucial to use the correct verb form, specifically the past participle, when forming the passive voice. Using the base form or simple past form instead of the past participle is a common grammatical error.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Direction: In the sentence, identify the segment that contains the grammatical error.

    If you walk fastly, you can manage to reach your destination in forty minutes.

  2. Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.

    Is there anything else you want to knew?

  3. Identify the segment in the sentence which contains a grammatical error.

    One must not boast about their success.

  4. Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.

    Rohit, who did not submit his essay on time, is penalize and had to lose marks.

  5. Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.

    This writing task are quite easy and interesting.

  6. Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error .

    Later in the day, my father tell us about his promotion.

  7. Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.

    Initial, they lived in a rented apartment.

  8. Directions: Identify the segment in the sentence which contains the grammatical error.

    We is not going to take any action against him as it is his first mistake.

  9. Direction: The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error.

    Niyati will reached / the conference / venue / by now.

  10. Direction: The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them may contain an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. If you don’t find any error, mark ‘No error’ as your answer.

    By the time / we will reach the station, / the train will have already left.


Important Questions from Error Spotting

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. 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)

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC CGL
September 30, 2026
UPSSSC PET
October 23, 2026
Test Series
SSC Stenographer img
SSC
SSC Stenographer 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Version)
1172 Tests 2 Tests Free
3057 Attempts
4.6(264)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App