Parts of the given sentence have been given as options. One of them contains a grammatical error. Select the option that has the error. When you have worked out this sum, you may went out to play.
Identifying Grammatical Errors in English Sentences
The question asks us to find the part of the given sentence that contains a grammatical error. The sentence is: "When you have worked out this sum, you may went out to play."
Let's break down the sentence and examine each part provided in the options.
Analyzing the Sentence Parts for Grammatical Errors
The sentence consists of two clauses connected by "When":
- "When you have worked out this sum," (Dependent clause)
- "you may went out to play." (Independent clause)
We need to check each part offered in the options for any errors.
Option 1: When you have worked out
This part uses the present perfect tense "have worked out". This tense is correctly used here to refer to a completed action ("worked out this sum") that happens before the action in the main clause ("may went out to play"). Grammatically, this part is correct in structure and tense usage within the context of the sentence.
Option 3: this sum
This is a noun phrase acting as the object of the verb "worked out". "This" modifies "sum". There is no grammatical error in this phrase itself.
Option 4: you may
This part contains the subject "you" and the modal verb "may". Modal verbs like 'may', 'can', 'could', 'will', 'would', 'shall', 'should', 'might', and 'must' are followed by the base form (infinitive without 'to') of the main verb. The part "you may" is correct in isolation, but its correctness depends on the verb that follows it.
Option 2: went out to play
This part contains the main verb "went out" and the infinitive phrase "to play". The problem arises when this part follows "you may". As mentioned earlier, a modal verb ("may") must be followed by the base form of the main verb. The base form of "went" (which is the past tense of "go") is "go". Therefore, the structure "may went" is grammatically incorrect. It should be "may go". Since the option contains the word "went", which is the incorrect verb form used after "may", this part contains the grammatical error.
Conclusion: Identifying the Error
The error lies in the use of the past tense verb "went" immediately following the modal verb "may". Modal verbs require the base form of the verb. The correct phrasing would be "you may go out to play". The option "went out to play" includes the incorrect verb form "went", making it the part with the grammatical error.
| Sentence Part | Analysis | Error? |
|---|---|---|
| When you have worked out | Correct structure and tense usage for the dependent clause. | No |
| this sum | Correct noun phrase. | No |
| you may | Subject + modal verb. Correct in itself, but dictates the following verb form. | No (in isolation) |
| went out to play | Contains "went", which is the incorrect form after "may". Should be "go". | Yes |
Therefore, the option that contains the grammatical error is "went out to play".
Revision Table: Understanding Modal Verb Rules
| Rule | Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage (Example from sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb. | You may go... |
You may went... |
| The base form is the infinitive without 'to'. | go |
went(past tense) going(present participle) |
Additional Information: Modal Verbs and Verb Forms
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary (helping) verb. They are used to express ability, possibility, permission, obligation, etc. A key rule for using modal verbs is that the main verb that follows them must always be in its base form (the dictionary form, usually without 'to').
- Correct: You can swim. (Base form: swim)
- Incorrect: You can swam. / You can swimming.
- Correct: She should study harder. (Base form: study)
- Incorrect: She should studied harder. / She should studying harder.
- Correct: They might come later. (Base form: come)
- Incorrect: They might came later. / They might coming later.
In our sentence, the modal verb is "may", expressing permission or possibility. It should be followed by the base form of the verb "go", which is "go". The sentence should be "When you have worked out this sum, you may go out to play." The error is the use of "went" instead of "go" in the part "went out to play".
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)
