Identifying Grammatical Errors in Sentences

This question asks us to find the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error. We need to carefully read each part of the sentence and check for issues with grammar, usage, or structure.

The sentence is broken down into three parts:

(a) The pollution level is very

(b) high in our city, and

(c) becomes a health hazard.

(d) No error

Analyzing Each Sentence Part for Errors

Analyzing Part (a): The pollution level is very

This part introduces the subject, "The pollution level," which is singular. The verb "is" agrees with the singular subject. The adverb "very" modifies an adjective that is expected to follow. So far, this part is grammatically correct.

Analyzing Part (b): high in our city, and

This part completes the description introduced in part (a), forming the phrase "The pollution level is very high in our city." This phrase describes the current state of the pollution level. The word "and" is a conjunction used to connect this phrase (or clause) to the next part of the sentence. The comma before "and" is acceptable when joining related clauses, although not strictly necessary here as the second part shares the subject with the first. This part appears grammatically sound in context.

Analyzing Part (c): becomes a health hazard.

This part follows the conjunction "and" and describes what the pollution level does or is. The implied subject for the verb "becomes" is "The pollution level," which is singular. The verb "becomes" is the third-person singular present tense, which agrees with the singular subject "pollution level". So, subject-verb agreement is correct.

However, let's consider the meaning and context. The sentence states that the pollution level "is very high" (a present state). The conjunction "and" connects this state to "becomes a health hazard." The verb "becomes" typically implies a process, transition, or a habitual action/general truth. For example:

• Water becomes ice at 0 degrees Celsius (general truth).
• He becomes restless when he is bored (habitual action).
• The caterpillar becomes a butterfly (transition/process).

In the context "The pollution level is very high," using "becomes a health hazard" suggests that the *act* of becoming a health hazard is happening alongside or as a consequence of being very high. If the pollution level *is* very high, it *is* already constituting a health hazard. Therefore, the verb "is" or "has become" would be more appropriate than "becomes" to describe the current state or the resulting state from the high pollution level.

Comparing options:

• "The pollution level is very high... and is a health hazard." (Correct, describes the current state)
• "The pollution level is very high... and has become a health hazard." (Correct, describes the resulting state)
• "The pollution level is very high... and becomes a health hazard." (Awkward, suggests a process or general truth that doesn't fit the description of a current, very high level).

The use of "becomes" in part (c) is grammatically awkward and contextually less appropriate compared to "is" or "has become" when linked to the preceding state "is very high". This indicates an error in part (c).

Identifying the Error

Based on the analysis, the error lies in the inappropriate use of the verb "becomes" in part (c). The sentence should use a verb that reflects the current state resulting from the high pollution level.

Correcting the Sentence

A corrected version of the sentence could be:

"The pollution level is very high in our city, and is a health hazard."

Or:

"The pollution level is very high in our city, and has become a health hazard."

Both corrections replace the incorrect verb "becomes" with a more suitable verb for the context.

Revision Table: Sentence Structure and Verb Usage

Understanding how verbs describe states and actions is crucial for identifying errors in sentences. Here's a quick review:

• State Verbs: Describe a condition or state of being (e.g., is, are, seems, appears).
• Action Verbs: Describe an action (e.g., run, write, becomes).
• Connecting States: When using "and" to connect two descriptions about the same subject, ensuring the verbs appropriately reflect the relationship between the descriptions is key. If one part describes a state ("is very high"), the connected part should typically describe a related state ("is a health hazard") or a result of that state ("has become a health hazard"), rather than a process ("becomes").

Additional Information: Understanding Verb Tense and Aspect

Verb tense tells us *when* an action or state occurs (present, past, future). Verb aspect gives us more information about the *nature* of the action or state (e.g., continuous, completed, habitual).

• The simple present tense (like "is" and "becomes") is used for facts, habits, and general truths.
• The present perfect tense ("has become") is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past but have a result in the present.
• In the sentence, "is very high" uses the simple present to describe a current state. Linking this state to "becomes a health hazard" with "and" is problematic because "becomes" implies a transition that doesn't align well with the description of a stable, current, very high level.
• Using "is a health hazard" maintains the simple present tense and correctly describes the current state resulting from the high pollution level.
• Using "has become a health hazard" uses the present perfect to describe the state reached as a result of past events (the pollution level rising to a very high point), which is also a valid interpretation.
• The choice between "is" and "has become" might depend on subtle nuance, but both are grammatically sound and contextually appropriate compared to "becomes". The error clearly lies in the use of "becomes".