Understanding Error Spotting Rules with Examples
Mastering error spotting for the verbal ability section requires a solid understanding of grammar rules and careful attention to detail.
Here are some key rules of error spotting to follow:
1. Check the Errors in Sentence Structure and Identify the Parts of Speech.
To perform error spotting perfectly, you need to know and identify all eight parts of the speech in English. They are nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, interjections, prepositions, pronoun, conjunction. Students must also check the sentence structure for clarity, and logical construction. Watch out for fragments, run-on sentences, and comma splices.
For Example:
Incorrect: Running in the park children were happily.
Correct: Children were happily running in the park.
Explanation:
The incorrect sentence doesn't make sense because of the wrong structuring of the sentence. One can't make out the subject or object in the sentence. Once you recognize the parts of the speech in the incorrect sentence, one can make out that 'children' is the subject, park is the object, 'in' is the preposition, 'were running' is the verb, and happily is the adverb as it describes the verb (running). All these help us formulate the sentence well and rephrase the error free sentence.
2. Check Subject-Verb Agreement
Students must ensure that the subject and verb agree in terms of number (singular or plural). Pay attention to singular subjects requiring singular verbs and plural subjects requiring plural verbs.
For Example:
Incorrect: The dogs barks on the terrace.
Correct: The dogs bark on the terrace. Or The dog barks on the terrace.
Explanation:
Here, the subject is 'dogs' and the verb is 'barks' in the incorrect sentence. Since the subject (dogs) is plural, the verb should also be plural (bark).
Likewise, since the verb (barks) is singular, you can also correct the sentence by making the subject singular (dog).
3. Check the Tenses and the Correct Form of the Verb for It
Use appropriate verb tenses and the right form of the verb for that particular tense to convey the correct timeline of actions. Pay attention to the consistency of tenses and avoid shifting between past, present, and future tenses without a clear reason.
For Example:
Incorrect: Yesterday, I go to the store.
Correct: Yesterday, I went to the store.
Explanation:
Yesterday means the previous day. Clearly, it's an action completed in the past. Thus, the sentence suggests the usage of simple past tense. 'Go' is used for the present tense.
Thus, to make the sentence error-free, we need to use 'went' or the second form of the verb 'go' to convey the right meaning.
4. Use the Right Article for the Corresponding Noun
Use articles (a, an, the) appropriately based on the specific noun being referenced and the context. Pay attention to countable and uncountable nouns. Also, take extra care of special cases and exceptions while working with articles.
For Example:
Incorrect: I want a airplane ticket to the India.
Correct: I want an airplane ticket to India.
Explanation:
Since 'airplane' starts with a vowel sound and it's singular, we use 'an' before airplane.
Similarly, India is the name of the country. We don't add articles before country names, hence we remove 'the' placed before 'India'.
5. Use the Correct Pronouns
Ensure that pronouns for the noun agree in type, number, gender, voice, and person as per the given sentence.
For Example:
Incorrect: Ram and me are studying.
Correct: Ram and I are studying.
Explanation:
'Me' is used as a pronoun for 'I' in the passive voice or when 'I' is the object of the action instead of the subject. Since in the incorrect sentence, 'me' is the subject, 'I' is the correct pronoun.
6. Learn to Use the Correct Prepositions
Use the appropriate prepositions to express relationships between words or phrases. Learn the exceptions and special use cases for prepositions with certain words or situations.
For Example:
Incorrect: I am residing at Delhi.
Correct: I am residing in Delhi.
Explanation:
We always use 'in' for cities or countries. The preposition "in" is used to indicate a place being a part of that location.
On the other hand, the preposition "at" is used to indicate a specific point or place, usually a smaller and more specific location within a larger area. Hence, we replace 'at' with 'in' to make the sentence correct.
7. Maintain Parallelism and Continuation
While attempting error spotting questions, make sure to check parallel structures in lists, comparisons, and conjunctions. Ensure that items within a series or phrases joined by conjunctions follow a consistent grammatical pattern in terms of the tenses and the form of verbs.
For Example:
Incorrect: She likes swimming, hiking, and to play tennis.
Correct: She likes swimming, hiking, and playing tennis.
Explanation:
Here, the incorrect sentence uses the infinitive form of play (to play) after the conjunction "and" in the list of activities.
The other word forms maintain a participle or "-ing" form of verbs 'swim' and 'hike'. Thus, to maintain parallelism, we have to use the "-ing" or participle form of the verb for 'play' as well.
8. Correct Usage of Adjectives, Adverbs, and Phrases
In English, a lot of times students can get confused between similar-sounding modifiers like adjectives, adverbs, or other phrases. Ensure that modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, phrases) are correctly placed to modify the intended words or phrases. Watch out for misplaced, dangling, or ambiguous modifiers.
For Example:
Incorrect: I am so exciting to go on vacation.
Correct: I am so excited to go on vacation .
Explanation:
In this case, the use is the adjective "exciting" is incorrect. The adjective "exciting" describes something or someone that causes excitement in others.
However, when describing one's own feelings, we use the adjective "excited." Hence, we replace the adjective 'exciting' with 'excited' to correct the error.
9. Rule Out Punctuation Errors
You have to specially check for the misplacement of punctuation marks that change the meaning conveyed by the sentence in error spotting questions.
Analyze the sentence and use punctuation marks (commas, periods, semicolons, etc.) correctly to convey meaning, separate clauses, and aid comprehension.
For Example:
Incorrect: Do you want to go. I really want to stay, the party is awesome.
Correct: Do you want to go? I really want to stay. The party is awesome!
Explanation:
Here, the incorrect sentence has multiple punctuation errors. The first part is visibly a question because it's starting with 'do'. Hence, it should end with a question mark instead of a full stop or period.
The second sentence seems to be complete on its own. Hence, it should end with a period. Again, the last sentence shows excitement or exhilaration, an evident display of emotion or admiration. Thus, an exclamation mark is fitting.
10. Understand the Correct Usage of Superlatives, Numbers, and Genders
A lot of error spotting questions present a mistake in singular and plural for the nouns. They can also present an error in the use of genders like using the right or wrong gender. Superlative degrees are a major spot for error which most students miss out on.
For Example:
Incorrect: I am most happy person right now!
Correct: I am the happiest person right now!
Explanation:
The superlative degree for the adjective 'happy' is 'happiest'. Most happy will be the wrong use of superlatives as demonstrated in the incorrect sentence here.
For Example:
Incorrect: He is one of the most talented and creative person I've ever met.
Correct: He is one of the most talented and creative people I've ever met.
Explanation:
The usage of the phrase 'one of the' indicates the presence of more than one person in the 'talented and creative' category.
This means there are multiple creative and talented people and the subject is one among those people. Hence, the usage of 'person' is wrong as it's singular. The correction will be to replace 'person' with 'people'.
Tips and Tricks to Solve Error Spotting Questions
Error spotting questions can be easily solved by learning a few tips and tricks for error spotting. These tips and tricks are very useful in finding the correct answer quickly and effectively, saving a lot of time.
Follow these tips and tricks while solving error spotting questions:
1. Careful & Attentive Reading
Read the sentence slowly a couple of times while paying close attention to the words, spellings, and grammatical structure. Stay alert and gauge each word for a possible error.
2. Grammar Rules are Crucial
Keep the grammar rules like subject-verb agreement, verb forms, tenses, and parts of speech on tips. Apply them to quickly identify possible errors.
3. Context Matters
Analyzing the context of the sentence will help identify errors quickly. Spot inconsistencies, logical errors, and vocabulary that seems unfit for the context.
4. Reduce Available Options
Eliminate visibly wrong or impossible options and enhance the chances of selecting the right answer.
5. Mind the Modifiers
Most errors are around the adjectives, adverbs, and phrases being wrongly placed or modifying the wrong words. Spot any issues with the placement of such modifiers and the words they're modifying.
6. Take Care of Parallelism
Look out for errors in parallelism. Ensure that the contents of a list or comparison follow the same grammatical pattern.
FAQsFAQs
How will knowing rules be effective in answering spot the error questions?
Knowing the rules will be effective in answering spot the error questions in the following ways:
- Promotes consistency and clarity while addressing questions.
- Ensures accuracy and efficiency.
- Helps eliminate incorrect options quickly.
- Boosts confidence and contextual understanding.
- Enables self-correction and improves language proficiency.
- Facilitates learning other language skills.
- Saves time and makes solving questions more efficient and accurate
How many rules are there in error spotting?
There are many important error spotting rules that help you solve verbal ability questions quickly in placement exams, interviews, etc.
Although most of the rules used in the verbal ability section revolve around contextual understanding, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and general grammatical rules like sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, and the placement of various parts of speech such as pronouns, verbs, tenses, etc.
How to remember error spotting rules for a longer time?
To remember the rules of error spotting for a longer time, you must consistently practice, understand, and actively engage with the topic.
Here are some steps to remember the error spotting rules for a longer time:
- Understand the logic behind each rule.
- Break them into smaller chunks.
- Practice regularly and apply the rules in context.
- Create visual associations like flowcharts or tables
- Make mnemonic devices.
- Review and revise the rules periodically.
- Use study aids like flashcards or summaries.
- Teach or explain the rules to someone else.
- Relate the rules to real-life examples.
How does understanding examples assist in solving error spotting questions more effectively?
Understanding examples is a powerful tool for effectively solving error spotting questions. Examples of error spotting often illustrate how to apply the concepts of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary to master language spotlessly.
By studying the examples in the error spotting topic, learners can work on strengthening their grammatical concepts with attention to detail. This helps them spot possible errors in sentences easily during exams.
What are some of the helpful tips for learning error spotting?
Here are some tips to improve and learn error spotting:
- Thoroughly absorb the grammar rules and concepts
- Look for and study common error patterns.
- Regularly practice error spotting exercises.
- Review and learn from mistakes.
- Get help from online resources and teachers.
- Develop a habit of active reading.
- Attentively look for details and context in texts.
- Work on time management.
- Develop attention to detail with respect to grammatical errors.
- Build vocabulary and language skills.
