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Question

The following sentence has been divided into four segments. Identify the segment that contains an error.

Throw of / the old shoes; / nobody will wear / them now.

The correct answer is

Throw of

Identifying Grammar Errors in Sentence Segments

The question asks us to find the segment that contains a grammatical error in the given sentence, which is divided into four parts: "Throw of / the old shoes; / nobody will wear / them now." We need to examine each segment carefully to identify any incorrect usage of words or structure.

Analyzing Each Sentence Segment

Let's break down the sentence segment by segment:

  1. Segment 1: "Throw of"
  2. Segment 2: "the old shoes;"
  3. Segment 3: "nobody will wear"
  4. Segment 4: "them now."

Detailed Examination of Each Segment for Grammar Errors

  • Segment 1: "Throw of"

This segment uses the verb "Throw" followed by the preposition "of". When we talk about getting rid of something, the common and correct phrases are "throw away" or simply "throw" followed directly by the object (implying discarding or moving forcefully). The phrase "throw of" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in this context. For example, you "throw a ball", you "throw away junk". You don't typically "throw of" something to mean discard it.

  • Segment 2: "the old shoes;"

This segment contains the direct object "the old shoes". The semicolon is used to connect two closely related independent clauses or, as here, a command ("Throw away the old shoes") and a reason/explanation ("nobody will wear them now"). While a full stop or 'because' might also be used, a semicolon is grammatically acceptable here to link the command and the consequence/reason. The phrase "the old shoes" itself is grammatically correct.

  • Segment 3: "nobody will wear"

This segment contains the subject "nobody" and the future tense verb phrase "will wear". This structure is grammatically sound. "Nobody" is a singular pronoun acting as the subject, and "will wear" is the correct verb form.

  • Segment 4: "them now."

This segment contains the pronoun "them" referring to "the old shoes" and the adverb of time "now". This part functions correctly as the object and modifying element of the second clause ("nobody will wear them now"). The full stop correctly ends the complete sentence.

Identifying the Segment with the Error

Based on the analysis, the error lies in the first segment, "Throw of". The preposition "of" is incorrectly used. The sentence should likely be "Throw away the old shoes; nobody will wear them now." or simply "Throw the old shoes away; nobody will wear them now."

Therefore, the segment with the grammatical error is "Throw of".

SegmentTextAnalysis for ErrorError Present?
1Throw ofIncorrect preposition 'of' used with 'Throw' in the sense of discarding. Should be 'Throw away' or similar.Yes
2the old shoes;Object is correct. Semicolon usage is acceptable to link related clauses.No
3nobody will wearSubject and future tense verb are grammatically correct.No
4them now.Object pronoun and adverb are grammatically correct. Full stop correctly ends the sentence.No

Conclusion on Grammar Error Identification

The analysis confirms that the first segment, "Throw of", contains the grammatical error due to the incorrect use of the preposition "of".

Revision Table: Common Phrasal Verbs with "Throw"

Understanding common phrasal verbs with "throw" can help identify errors like the one in the sentence.

Phrasal VerbMeaningExample Sentence
Throw awayTo get rid of something you do not want; discard.Please throw away the old newspapers.
Throw outSimilar to throw away; also to remove forcefully.They had to throw him out of the bar.
Throw upTo vomit; to build something quickly.He felt sick and threw up. / They threw up a temporary shelter.
Throw inTo add something extra for free; to interject a comment.The seller threw in a free accessory. / He threw in a quick remark.
Throw onTo put clothes on quickly.She threw on a coat before going out.

Additional Information: Prepositions and Phrasal Verbs

Prepositions are words like 'of', 'in', 'on', 'at', 'for', 'with', 'by', etc., that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence. They often indicate relationships of location, time, direction, or manner.

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or sometimes both) that create a new meaning, often one that is different from the original verb's meaning. For example, "throw" means to propel something through the air, but "throw away" means to discard.

Identifying errors involving prepositions and phrasal verbs requires understanding the specific meanings and common uses of these combinations in English. In the given sentence, "throw of" is not a recognized phrasal verb or standard usage meaning to discard, highlighting the error.

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Important Questions from Error Spotting

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. 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)

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