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)
D
Analyzing the Sentence Structure for Errors
The question asks us to identify any grammatical error in the underlined parts of the given sentence. The sentence is broken down into three parts: (a) No one knows, (b) why he did it, and (c) or who was behind his doing it. We need to examine each part carefully to determine if it follows correct English grammar rules.
Detailed Analysis of Each Part
Part (a): No one knows
This part of the sentence contains the subject "No one" and the verb "knows".
- "No one" is considered a singular pronoun.
- The verb "knows" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "to know", which correctly agrees with the singular subject "No one".
This part is grammatically correct.
Part (b): why he did it,
This is a clause starting with the question word "why". In this sentence, it functions as a noun clause, serving as the object of the verb "knows".
- The structure within the clause is subject ("he") followed by the past tense verb ("did it").
- This structure is correct for a noun clause in an indirect question (following a verb like "knows").
- The comma at the end separates this clause from the next clause connected by "or".
This part is grammatically correct.
Part (c): or who was behind his doing it.
This is another clause, coordinated with the previous one by "or". It also functions as a noun clause, serving as the object of the verb "knows".
- The clause starts with the question word "who", which acts as the subject of the verb "was".
- The phrase "behind his doing it" is a prepositional phrase modifying the verb "was".
- Inside the prepositional phrase, "doing" is a gerund (a verb ending in -ing used as a noun).
- The pronoun "his" is a possessive pronoun modifying the gerund "doing".
- It is grammatically correct to use a possessive pronoun (like his, her, its, our, their, my, your) before a gerund. This construction emphasizes the action performed by the person indicated by the pronoun. "His doing it" means "the action of him doing it".
This part is grammatically correct.
Conclusion: Identifying the Error
Upon analyzing each underlined part of the sentence, we found no grammatical errors in parts (a), (b), or (c).
Therefore, the sentence is grammatically correct as written.
Revision Table: Sentence Parts
| Part | Text | Analysis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | No one knows | Subject-verb agreement (singular subject "No one" with singular verb "knows"). | Correct |
| (b) | why he did it, | Noun clause acting as object; correct structure for indirect question. | Correct |
| (c) | or who was behind his doing it. | Noun clause acting as object; correct use of possessive pronoun before a gerund. | Correct |
Since no error is found in any of the underlined parts, the correct option is (d) No error.
Additional Information: Grammar Concepts Explained
Gerunds and Possessive Pronouns
A gerund is a verb form ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun. For example, "swimming is fun."
When a gerund is preceded by a pronoun, the possessive form of the pronoun is typically used, especially in more formal English. This clarifies whose action the gerund refers to.
- Correct: We appreciated his coming to the meeting. (Not "him coming")
- Correct: She was surprised by my winning the prize. (Not "me winning")
In the given sentence, "his doing it" follows this rule, correctly using the possessive "his" before the gerund "doing".
Noun Clauses
A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun within a sentence. They can act as subjects, objects, or complements.
Noun clauses are often introduced by words like "what," "who," "why," "how," "that," "whether," or "if."
In the sentence, both "why he did it" and "who was behind his doing it" are noun clauses acting as objects of the verb "knows". The structure within these clauses is typically the subject followed by the verb, even if the clause starts with a question word.
Similar Questions
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 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).
How long(a)you are(b) in this profession? (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).
I know that(a) ignorance is not bliss (b)yet I am ignorant in many things.(c) No error. (d)
Find the part of the sentence that contains an error.
You are (a)/ just sixteen years old (b)/ isn't it? (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).
The old widower (a)living in remittances from his sons, (b)could not make both ends meet. (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).
Debate about biotechnology and genetic engineering (a) is underway around the world, (b) and India is fully engrossed with the discussion.(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).
I like to(a)listen the song of the Nightingale(b)in the evening.(c) No error. (d)
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 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).
How long(a)you are(b) in this profession? (c) No error. (d)
