Top 5 Rules to solve Error Detection & Sentence Correction Questions!

Error Spotting topic, sentence improvement and sentence correction topic account for a good number of questions in the exam hence it is essential to be familiar with the concept and rules of Grammar very well. The questions can be solved easily if you follow a systematic approach to solve. In this article, we are sharing top 5 rules to solve questions of error spotting topic following which you can solve these question in the exam in an efficient way. So let's go through it now -

Must Know for SBI Exams 2018: Top 5 Rules to solve Error Spotting Questions!

Whenever you come through error spotting, sentence correction or sentence improvement questions in the exam, apply the below-mentioned approach to solve it efficiently -

Go through the given sentence attentively. Try to identify the error/errors in it. If you recognize more than one error then focus on one error at a time.
After this, skim through the answer choices. Eliminate the answer choices which are replicating the errors.
In the third step, eliminate those answer choices which are correcting the original error in the sentence but which are having other errors.
Replace the original sentence with your answer option. Read the sentence and if it sounds correct, mark your answer.
Do not forget to recheck your answer choice and mark it finally only when you are 100% sure of it.

Examples -

1. Direction: In the given question, a part of the sentence is printed in bold. Below the sentence, three alternatives to the bold part are given which may help improve the sentence. Choose the option that reflects the correct use of the phrase in the context of the. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer is (E) i.e. No correction required.

Question - I want to bring out the secrets of nature and apply them for the happiness of men, because given the short time for which we are in the world, I don't know of any best service to offer.

i. I did not know of any better service to offer
ii. I did not know of any best service to offer
iii. I don't know of any better service to offer

Solution -

In the given sentence, ’best’’ has been used. Best is a superlative degree. We can’t use this for comparison. The usage of "any" indicates that several offers are being talked about. Thus, the comparative adjective, "better" should be used. "Did not" is past tense and but the sentence is in the present. So alternatives (i) and (ii) are incorrect. Option C is the correct answer.

2. Direction: In the given question, a part of the sentence is printed in bold. Which of the following among (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below the sentence can replace the word(s) printed in bold to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark E i.e. 'No correction required' as the answer

Question - Mortals who stand upon the earth and look up at the sky cannot distinguish often these forms, but our friends were now so near to the clouds that they observed the dainty fairies very clearly.

Solution - In the given sentence, the modifier “often” has been incorrectly placed. “Often” means frequently and should be placed immediately before the verb it modifies. So, the highlighted part should be replaced by “cannot often distinguish” to make the sentence grammatically correct. Thus, option A is the correct answer.

3. Direction: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If the given sentence is correct as it is, mark the answer as ‘No error’. Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any.

Question - Harsh Sanghavi, BJP candidate from Surat, on Tuesday offered a tea to Congress (A)/ workers in his constituency after a (B)/ Congress volunteer tweeted a meme which was (C)/ derogatory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (D)/ No error (E).

Solution - The indefinite article a/an cannot be used with uncountable nouns. Hence, the use of “a” before tea in the given sentence is incorrect.

4. Direction: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If the given sentence is correct as it is, mark the answer as No error. Ignore the errors of punctuation if any.

Question -

Emma was too dazed to say much,/ but she watched one of Jim's big ear turn to violet and the/ other to rose, and wondered that his tail should be yellow and his/ body striped with blue and orange like the stripes of a zebra.

Solution - The error lies in the second part of the given sentence. The noun following the phrase "one of the" (one of Jim’s, in the given context) is always a plural noun. Thus, ‘ear’ should be replaced by ‘ears’ to make the sentence grammatically correct. Note that the other parts are grammatically correct. The usage of too…to in the first part is appropriate. “Rose’, in the third past refers to a colour and not the flower per se. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

You can go through the complete series from the links given below -