In English Aptitude tests, the sentence correction section evaluates your understanding of grammar rules and your ability to identify and rectify common grammatical errors. Mastering this aspect is crucial for achieving a high score. Here are some of the most frequently tested grammatical errors in sentence correction questions:
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Subject-Verb Agreement: One of the fundamental rules of grammar is ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number. Errors often occur when a singular subject is paired with a plural verb or vice versa. For example:
- Incorrect: “The team are playing well.”
- Correct: “The team is playing well.”
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Pronoun Agreement: Pronouns must agree in number and gender with the nouns they replace. Mistakes in pronoun agreement commonly arise when using indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “anybody,” and “someone.”
- Incorrect: “Each of the students must submit their assignments.”
- Correct: “Each of the students must submit his or her assignment.”
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Misplaced Modifiers: Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the word they modify to avoid ambiguity or confusion.
- Incorrect: “She almost drank all of the coffee in one gulp.”
- Correct: “She drank almost all of the coffee in one gulp.”
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Parallelism: Parallel structure is essential for maintaining consistency in a sentence, particularly in lists and comparisons.
- Incorrect: “She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride bicycles.”
- Correct: “She likes hiking, swimming, and riding bicycles.”
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Faulty Pronoun Reference: Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun, avoiding ambiguity.
- Incorrect: “After finishing his homework, the computer crashed.”
- Correct: “After he finished his homework, the computer crashed.”
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Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices: Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses are improperly joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.
- Incorrect: “I enjoy reading books I also like watching movies.”
- Correct: “I enjoy reading books, and I also like watching movies.”
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Incorrect Word Usage: Choosing the wrong word or phrase can change the meaning of a sentence.
- Incorrect: “The principle of the school is very strict.”
- Correct: “The principal of the school is very strict.”
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Dangling or Misplaced Participles: Participles should modify the noun or pronoun immediately following them.
- Incorrect: “Running through the park, the birds chirped loudly.”
- Correct: “Running through the park, I heard the birds chirping loudly.”
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Incomplete Comparisons: When making comparisons, ensure that both elements being compared are included in the sentence.
- Incorrect: “She is smarter than her sister.”
- Correct: “She is smarter than her sister is.”
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Double Negatives: Using two negative words in a sentence can create confusion and result in a positive meaning.
- Incorrect: “I don’t want nothing from you.”
- Correct: “I don’t want anything from you.”
Understanding these common grammatical errors and practicing identifying and correcting them is essential for success in sentence correction questions. Regular practice with sample questions and close attention to grammar rules will help you sharpen your skills and boost your confidence on test day.