I requested that he should be given the driving test today instead of tomorrow.
Grammar Error Identification
The question asks to identify the INCORRECT part in the sentence: "I requested that he should be given the driving test today instead of tomorrow."
Analyzing Sentence Components
Let's examine each part mentioned in the options:
- $requested that$: This structure is grammatically correct for introducing a subordinate clause expressing a request or demand.
- $should be given$: This part contains the error. When using verbs like 'request', 'suggest', 'demand', etc., followed by 'that', the subjunctive mood is preferred. The subjunctive form omits the modal verb 'should'. The correct form is 'be given'.
- $the driving test$: This noun phrase is appropriate and grammatically correct in this context.
- $instead of tomorrow$: This prepositional phrase correctly provides an alternative time, contrasting 'today' with 'tomorrow'.
Correct Usage Explanation
Verbs expressing commands, suggestions, or requests (like 'request') often trigger the subjunctive mood in the following clause introduced by 'that'. The subjunctive mood uses the base form of the verb.
- Incorrect: I requested that he should be given...
- Correct: I requested that he be given...
Alternatively, the sentence could be rephrased, but the structure "requested that he should be given" is considered incorrect or unnecessarily wordy in standard English.
Conclusion
The erroneous part of the sentence is Option B: $should be given$.
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)
