PPT: Spotting Errors | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT PDF Download

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Spotting Errors
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Spotting Errors
What is Spotting Errors?
Definition
Grammar-based question type to identify 
sentence errors.
Errors Include
Nouns, pronouns, verbs, tenses, prepositions, 
etc.
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Spotting Errors
What is Spotting Errors?
Definition
Grammar-based question type to identify 
sentence errors.
Errors Include
Nouns, pronouns, verbs, tenses, prepositions, 
etc.
General Format for Error Spotting 
Question
Structure
Sentence with potential error.
Options: A, B, C (corrections), D (no correction).
Example
"The team was divided in its opinion."
A) were divided B) is divided C) are divided D) No correction
Correct: D
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Spotting Errors
What is Spotting Errors?
Definition
Grammar-based question type to identify 
sentence errors.
Errors Include
Nouns, pronouns, verbs, tenses, prepositions, 
etc.
General Format for Error Spotting 
Question
Structure
Sentence with potential error.
Options: A, B, C (corrections), D (no correction).
Example
"The team was divided in its opinion."
A) were divided B) is divided C) are divided D) No correction
Correct: D
Parts of Speech 3 Nouns
A noun is used to identify a place, person, or thing. 
It can be singular and plural but the verb used for them differs from singular to plural. 
Noun Usage and Verb Agreement
1. Certain nouns possess a singular form but still represent plurality and thus, take a 
plural verb when used in a sentence.
Example: Cattle, peasantry, people, clergy, police.
The Police has come. (Incorrect)
The Police have come. (Correct)
2. Certain nouns always take the plural verb because their form is always plural.
Example: Scissors, trousers, spectacles, thanks, premises.
Where is my trouser? (Incorrect)
Where are my trousers? (Correct)
3. When a number is followed by a noun denoting measure, length, money, number, or 
weight, the form of a noun does not change as long as they are followed by another 
noun or pronoun.
Example: Million, pair, meter, year, dozen, foot, head. Thus,
This is a nine-meters cloth. (Incorrect)
This is a nine-meter cloth. (Correct)
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Spotting Errors
What is Spotting Errors?
Definition
Grammar-based question type to identify 
sentence errors.
Errors Include
Nouns, pronouns, verbs, tenses, prepositions, 
etc.
General Format for Error Spotting 
Question
Structure
Sentence with potential error.
Options: A, B, C (corrections), D (no correction).
Example
"The team was divided in its opinion."
A) were divided B) is divided C) are divided D) No correction
Correct: D
Parts of Speech 3 Nouns
A noun is used to identify a place, person, or thing. 
It can be singular and plural but the verb used for them differs from singular to plural. 
Noun Usage and Verb Agreement
1. Certain nouns possess a singular form but still represent plurality and thus, take a 
plural verb when used in a sentence.
Example: Cattle, peasantry, people, clergy, police.
The Police has come. (Incorrect)
The Police have come. (Correct)
2. Certain nouns always take the plural verb because their form is always plural.
Example: Scissors, trousers, spectacles, thanks, premises.
Where is my trouser? (Incorrect)
Where are my trousers? (Correct)
3. When a number is followed by a noun denoting measure, length, money, number, or 
weight, the form of a noun does not change as long as they are followed by another 
noun or pronoun.
Example: Million, pair, meter, year, dozen, foot, head. Thus,
This is a nine-meters cloth. (Incorrect)
This is a nine-meter cloth. (Correct)
Noun Usage and Verb Agreement
1
Collective Nouns - Different Opinions
Certain nouns, especially of the collective category, are used in the plural 
when they specify a difference of opinion or class (i.e. not used as a single 
unit).
Ex ample: Public, team, committee, government, audience, orchestra, 
company, jury. (i) The jury was divided in its opinion. (Incorr ec t) 
The jury were divided in their opinion. ( Corr ec t)
(ii) The resources was divided based on their expertise. (Incorr ec t)
The resources were divided based on their expertise. ( Corr ec t)
2
'Each of', 'One of', 'None of'
Sentences with words 'each of', 'one of', and 'none of' is always followed by a 
plural form of the noun.
Ex ample: (i) She is one of the less important people in the office. (Incorr ec t) 
She is one of the least important people in the office. ( Corr ec t) 
(ii) Each of the player performed well in the match. (Incorr ec t)
Each of the players performed well in the match. ( Corr ec t)
(iii) None of the student scored above 90% in the boards. (Incorr ec t)
None of the students scored above 90% in the boards. ( Corr ec t)