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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
