The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them may contain an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options. If you don’t find any error, select ‘No error’ as your answer. Praneel is only two now / so he has not / started talk yet.
started talk yet
Identifying Grammatical Errors in Sentences
The question asks us to identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error. The sentence provided is:
"Praneel is only two now / so he has not / started talk yet."
The sentence is divided into three parts:
- Praneel is only two now
- so he has not
- started talk yet
We need to examine each part for potential errors.
Analyzing Each Part of the Sentence
- Part 1: Praneel is only two now
This part establishes the subject (Praneel) and his current age (two). "Is" is the correct verb form. "Only two now" is a valid phrase to indicate age at the present time. This part appears grammatically correct. - Part 2: so he has not
This part connects the first part (reason: being two) to the subsequent action (result). "So" is used correctly as a conjunction indicating consequence. "He has not" is a standard structure for the present perfect tense in the negative form (has + not). This part also appears grammatically correct. - Part 3: started talk yet
This part uses the verb "started" followed by "talk" and the adverb "yet". The phrase "started" is in the correct past participle form for the present perfect tense ("has not started"). However, the word "talk" is the issue. When the verb "start" is followed by another action, that action is typically expressed using either the gerund form (-ing form) or the infinitive form (to + verb).
Explanation of the Error
The verb "start" can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with little difference in meaning. Examples:
- He started talking. (Gerund)
- He started to talk. (Infinitive)
In the phrase "started talk yet", "talk" is used like a simple noun or base verb, which is grammatically incorrect in this context after "started". The correct phrasing would be either "started talking yet" or "started to talk yet". Since the option provides "started talk yet", this part contains the error.
Identifying the Incorrect Part based on Options
Let's look at the given options:
| Option | Part of the sentence | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | started talk yet | Contains a grammatical error; should be 'started talking' or 'started to talk'. |
| 2 | Praneel is only two now | No apparent error. |
| 3 | so he has not | No apparent error. |
| 4 | No error | Incorrect, as there is an error. |
Based on our analysis, the error lies in the third part, "started talk yet".
Conclusion
The part of the sentence that contains the error is "started talk yet". The correct phrasing would be "started talking yet" or "started to talk yet".
Revision Table: Grammatical Errors and Corrections
| Original Phrase | Corrected Phrase(s) | Reason for Error |
|---|---|---|
| started talk yet | started talking yet started to talk yet |
Incorrect verb form after "started". "Start" should be followed by a gerund (-ing form) or an infinitive (to + verb). |
Additional Information: Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
Many verbs in English can be followed by either a gerund (-ing form) or an infinitive (to + base verb). Some verbs can take either with little change in meaning, while others change meaning depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
- Verbs often followed by gerunds: enjoy, finish, mind, stop (meaning cease), suggest, avoid, consider, deny, admit, etc.
- Verbs often followed by infinitives: want, need, decide, plan, hope, agree, refuse, promise, seem, learn, etc.
- Verbs followed by either (often with little meaning change): start, begin, continue, love, like, hate, prefer.
- Verbs followed by either (with meaning change): stop (meaning 'stop doing something in order to do something else' – infinitive), remember, forget, try, regret.
In the case of "start", both "started talking" and "started to talk" are grammatically correct, making "started talk" the clear error.
Important Questions from Sentence
Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
His mouth left open as he realise the truth.
Select the phrase/connector from the given three options which can be used to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same as expressed in the statement sentence.
My brother fights with me a lot. He is my best friend.
1. Since
2. Still
3. Neither...nor.
Select the phrase/ connector (it must be at the start) from the given three options which can be used to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same meaning as expressed in the statement sentences.
He has failed many times and almost all his plans have seen little success. He still hopes to succeed one day.
(i) Although he hopes...
(ii) While he has failed...
(iii) In spite of the fact that...
Select the phrase/connector from the given three options which can be used to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same as expressed in the statement sentence.
Don't fear difficulty in life. Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.
1. Because
2. Still
3. Either...or
Select the phrase/connector from the given three options which can be used to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same as expressed in the statement sentence.
The weather was extremely bad. The camping plan had to be cancelled.
1. Thus
2. Therefore
3. Unless
