Error Spotting
Error Spotting in English Grammar
Error spotting is crucial for improving writing accuracy and clarity. Here’s a detailed yet concise explanation of common errors and their corrections:
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
Original: The group of students are excited about their upcoming field trip.
Spot the Error: are
Correction: The group of students is excited about their upcoming field trip.
Explanation: The subject "group" is singular, so the verb should be "is" to match the singular subject. The phrase "of students" is a prepositional phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
2. Pronoun Case
Original: My brother and me went to the store to buy groceries.
Spot the Error: me
Correction: My brother and I went to the store to buy groceries.
Explanation: Use "I" instead of "me" when the pronoun is part of the subject of the sentence. "Me" is used for objects, whereas "I" is used for subjects.
3. Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects
Original: The cake, along with the cookies, were delicious.
Spot the Error: were
Correction: The cake, along with the cookies, was delicious.
Explanation: The main subject is "the cake," which is singular. The verb should therefore be "was," regardless of the additional noun "cookies" connected by "along with."
4. Subject-Verb Agreement with Neither/Nor
Original: Neither the chair nor the table are suitable for the conference room.
Spot the Error: are
Correction: Neither the chair nor the table is suitable for the conference room.
Explanation: With "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject ("table"), which is singular. Therefore, "is" is used instead of "are."
5. Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
Original: The price of these shoes are reasonable.
Spot the Error: are
Correction: The price of these shoes is reasonable.
Explanation: "Price" is a singular noun, so the verb should be "is." Even though "shoes" is plural, it is not the subject of the sentence; "price" is.
6. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Original: Each of the students in the class has submitted their homework.
Spot the Error: their
Correction: Each of the students in the class has submitted his or her homework.
Explanation: "Each" is singular, so the pronoun should be singular as well. "His or her" is used to match the singular antecedent "each student."
7. Subject-Verb Agreement with Phrases
Original: The book, as well as the movie adaptation, are highly acclaimed.
Spot the Error: are
Correction: The book, as well as the movie adaptation, is highly acclaimed.
Explanation: The main subject is "the book," which is singular. The phrase "as well as the movie adaptation" does not change the number of the subject.
8. Verb Form
Original: He don’t like spicy food.
Spot the Error: don’t
Correction: He doesn't like spicy food.
Explanation: For the third person singular subject ("he"), use "doesn't" instead of "don't." "Don't" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "I."
Summary
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb agrees in number with the subject, even if there are additional phrases.
- Pronoun Case: Use "I" for subjects and "me" for objects.
- Compound Subjects: Use the verb that agrees with the main subject, not additional nouns.
- Neither/Nor: The verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
- Collective Nouns: The verb agrees with the collective noun in terms of number.
- Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Pronouns must agree in number and gender with their antecedents.
- Phrases and Clauses: The verb agrees with the main subject, regardless of additional phrases.
- Verb Forms: Use correct forms of verbs for different subjects.