Error detection

ERRORS COMMONLY FOUND IN WRITING &

LANGUAGE SECTION
Detect Error

1. The committee chief warned the party members that if they persist in
their obstructionist attitude, they would be suspended.
2. More leisure as well as abundance of goods are attainable through
automation.
3. The company not only manufactures leather goods but also plastic
ware.
4. Both he as well as his friend completed their work.
Solutions

1. If the first clause of a sentence uses past tense, remaining clauses

should also use past tense forms.
2. When two subjects are joined with the help of as well as, the verb
agrees with the main subject. Given sentence is correct.
3. Correlative conjunctions like Not only_butalso should be placed
before the correct parts of speech.
Correct the sentences:
Ex. Sam either plays cricket or football.
• Sam either plays cricket or watches television.
• Either Sam or his friend watch television.
4. Use either as well as or both_and.
Detect Error

5. I can’t understand why did he not tell me the reason for his absence.
6. Unless the govt. will not take strict action, the law and order situation will
not improve.
Unless you will meet me, I will not go anywhere.

7. The supervisor announced that the interviews would be scheduled between

9 to 5 the next day.
8. A series of lectures on Indian philosophy are being arranged by the
university.
Solutions

5. Don’t use interrogative pattern in an assertive sentence.

6. Unless and Until are negative words. Don’t use negative formation
with them.
The clause that uses unless / until takes present form.
7. Between takes and.
8. Subject of the sentence is Series. Use singular form of verb.
Detect Error

9. The police arrived and discovered a large number of hoarded sugar in the
shop.
10. They walked besides each other in silence.
He sat _beside me. (next to )
_Besides SAT, he plans to appear for ACT also. (Apart from / in addition to)
11. Having acquired some experience, she is no longer one of those who
believes everything they are given.
12. The number of people applying were so large that the college had to stop
issuing application forms.
Soutions

9. Use a large amount of / a large quantity of with uncountable nouns.

10. Beside – next to

Besides – apart from / in addition to
Solutions

11. He is one of the players who has/have played well in the recent
times.
It is I who is/am to be blamed.

Relative pronoun who / which / that refer to the noun/ pronoun which
is placed right before them.
Solutions

12. The number refers to a definite number. Use singular form of verb
after it.
The number of boys in our class is more than that of girls.
Detect Error

13. He can play as good as he can write with his left hand.
Good / well
Sachin is a good player.
Sachin plays well.

14. To make this experiment, drop little sugar into a glass of water.
15. The lawyer told his client that he would represent him only if he pays up the
fee.
16. Some people get used to changes very easily than others do.
Solutions

13. Good – adjective (qualifies a noun)

Well – adverb (qualifies a verb)

14. A little – some

Little – hardly any (negative adjective)
Solutions

15. First clause in past tense, remaining clauses also to use past tense
forms.

16. Easy easier easiest ( adjectives)

Easily more easily most easily (adverbs)