ERROR DETECTION

Pattern 1 : Errors inSubject verb agreement

EXERCISE 1.1
Most of the following sentences contain errors in S+V Agreement. On your paper write the number of the sentence with
which you are working. Then write the subject of each incorrect verb in the sentence and the correct form of the verb. If
the sentence contains no errors, write the number of the sentence and put C after it. Some of the sentences may have two
errors.

1. Since there is over sixty-five million motor vehicles in the country, the problem of parking space is a
tremendous one.
2. A review of our catalogues show that our new manager has improved the stock.
3. Recently the houses on our street were reassessed.
4. Smog and smoke damage to merchandise and buildings reaches a figure of five billion dollars a year.
5. Near the community center is three large department stores.
6. The lack of police protection at dangerous intersections result in accidents.
7. One of the boxes of books are missing.
8. Misunderstandings between students and players were the cause of the fighting.
9. One of our problems with night football arc the behavior of the spectators who do not go to our school.
10. Eleventh-hour attempts by a local businessman to keep the team in the city has failed.
11. In these days one out of every five married women work.
12. Suddenly out of the woods comes two bunters with a powerful dog.
13. If Irving don't drive carefully, he will be arrested.
14. Movies have a much larger screen than television and, as a result, is easier on the eyes.
15. From the centre of the city to the three neighbouring towns runs a magnificent expressway.
16. One of my friends think that speeding in an automobile shows how grown up he is.
17. Sue don't think we should go to the movies tonight.
18. The pleasant working conditions in modern offices helps to make stenography attractive.
19. News of world events are very important to us, as is the daily happenings in our own city.
20. Large sums of money is awarded to some of the contestants on television show.

EXERCISE 1.2 : Most of the following sentences contain errors in S+V Agreement. Write on your paper the number of
each sentence & the necessary correction(s). If the sentence is correct, write C opposite the number of that sentence.

1. Every one of the players on the team have good grades.

2. Mumps have caused a great deal of absence at the Liberty Heights School.
3. The number of people present for the lecture by Professor Toynbee was far larger than we expected.
4. Two-thirds of the group want a party right away.

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5. A number of states has motion-picture censorship.
6. No decision can be made in the Security Council of the United Nations unless each of the five members
approve.
7. Each of the hunters are permitted by the state, game laws to shoot four ducks.
8. Neither of the plans presented by the committee members seem practical.
9. Don't you think that economics are harder than any other subject we study?
10. Every time that the hero comes on the stage, the audience sits breathless.
11. Each of our customers receive a monthly statement.
12. Two-thirds of our traffic regulations has been changed since we employed a new traffic director.
13. Neither of these points have anything to do with the problem.
14. Were either of Mozart's parents musically gifted?
15. Some of the girls in our class comes to school with their hair in curlers.
16. Every one of the plans seem practical, but we prefer the most economic one.
17. If you decide that either of the plans are acceptable, we are ready to sign the contract.
18. The number of orders that have been received this year are larger than ever before.
19. All of the sugar has been sold.
20. Three-fourths of the boys in our class intend to enter college.

EXERCISES 1.3
Directions: Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error, if any, will
be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is '5'.
i.e. No error. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any)
1. He is (1) / one of the richest and (2) / most generous men of (3) / the town. (4) / No error (5)

2. Computer and (1) / telecommunication has (2) / developed (3) / information technology. (4)- / No error (5)

3. The poet (1) / and critic (2) / have been (3) / honoured in his home district. (4) / No error (5)

4. Bread and butter (1) / are (2) / essential for (3) / one's life. (4) / No error (5)

5. Every man (1) / and woman in a family (2) / are responsible for (3) / the upbringing of a child. (4) / No error (5)

6. Either Satish (1) / or Manish have (2) / the key to (3) / this problem. (4) / No error (5)

7. Neither Rakhi (1) / nor her friends (2) / was present (3) / at that party. (4) / No error (5)

8. Either she (1) / or I (2) / will pay (3) / the fees. (4) / No error (5)

9. Nothing but (1) / trees were (2) / seen (3) / in the garden. (4)/ No error (5)

10. The number of (1) / people applying (2) / for the job (3) / was very large: (4)/ No error (5)

11. The sum & substance (1) / of the matter is (2) / that he died (3)/ on the spot. (4) / No error (5)

12. Each and every (1)/ man, woman and child (2) / were given food (3) / yesterday evening. (4) / No error (5)

13. You, (1)/ rather than (2)1 your father (3) / are to blame. (4) / No error (5)

14. Five hours (1) / are too short (2) / a time to judge (3) / one's character. (4) / No error (5)

15. Many a (1) / passenger (2) / have been (3) / taken to the hospital. (4) / No error (5)