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Error Spotting: Practice Questions with Answers

94 practice questions on Error Spotting, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

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1. Q.1

   Spot the error: (A) If I was you / (B) I would not accept / (C) that offer / (D) No error

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   Answer: (A) — should be "If I were you"

   Solution:

   1. This describes a hypothetical, "unreal" situation ("if I were you") rather than a real past fact — so the subjunctive mood is required.
   2. In the subjunctive mood, "were" is used for every subject, including "I" — "If I were you" is correct; "If I was you" is not.

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2. Q.2

   Spot the error: (A) The committee have decided / (B) to postpone / (C) the meeting till next week / (D) No error

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   Answer: (A) — should be "The committee has decided"

   Solution:

   1. "Committee" is a collective noun. When it acts as a single, unified body making one decision (as here), it takes a singular verb.
   2. "have decided" is plural; it should be "has decided".

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3. Q.3

   Spot the error: (A) Each of the students / (B) have submitted / (C) their assignment / (D) No error

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   Answer: (B) — should be "has submitted"

   Solution:

   1. "Each of + plural noun" is always treated as a SINGULAR subject — the verb must agree with "each", not with "students".
   2. "have submitted" is plural; it should be "has submitted".

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4. Q.4

   Spot the error: (A) Each student / (B) must submit their assignment / (C) before the deadline / (D) No error

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   Answer: (B) — should be "must submit his/her assignment"

   Solution:

   1. "Each student" is a singular subject.
   2. Per the traditional rule these exams follow, a singular antecedent needs a singular pronoun — "his/her", not "their".

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5. Q.5

   Spot the error: (A) He is married / (B) with a doctor / (C) who works in Delhi / (D) No error

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   Answer: (B) — should be "to a doctor"

   Solution:

   1. The fixed idiom is "married TO" someone, not "married WITH" someone.
   2. Part (B) should read "to a doctor".

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6. Q.6

   Spot the error: (A) The number of students / (B) in the class are / (C) increasing every year / (D) No error

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   Answer: (B) — should be "is"

   Solution:

   1. "The number of X" refers to a single count, and takes a singular verb — "is", not "are".
   2. This is different from "A number of students ARE..." (meaning "several students"), which correctly takes a plural verb.
   3. Here it should read "...in the class is increasing", so part (B) is wrong.

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7. Q.7

   Spot the error: (A) Can you borrow me / (B) some money / (C) until Friday / (D) No error

   1. A (A)
   2. B (B)
   3. C (C)
   4. D No error
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   Correct answer: (A) (A)

   'Borrow' means to take, while 'lend' means to give; since money is being given to the speaker, it should be 'lend me,' not 'borrow me.'

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8. Q.8

   Spot the error: (A) I have saw / (B) this movie / (C) twice already / (D) No error

   1. A (A)
   2. B (B)
   3. C (C)
   4. D No error
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   Correct answer: (A) (A)

   The present perfect needs the past participle "seen," not the simple past "saw": "I have seen."

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9. Q.9

   Spot the error: (A) The price of vegetables / (B) have increased / (C) sharply this month / (D) No error

   1. A (B)
   2. B (A)
   3. C (C)
   4. D No error
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   Correct answer: (A) (B)

   "The price" (singular) is the real subject, not "vegetables," so it should be "has increased," not "have increased."

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10. Q.10

    Spot the error: A) He told a / B) bazaar story about / C) his trip to the mountains / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Bizarre" means strange or unusual; "bazaar" is a marketplace. The sentence needs "a bizarre story".

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11. Q.11

    Spot the error: A) The engineers were asked / B) to device a solution / C) to the recurring problem / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (B) (B)

    "Devise" (verb) means to plan or invent; "device" is a noun for a tool or gadget. The sentence needs "to devise a solution".

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12. Q.12

    Spot the error: A) Buying in bulk is / B) an economic way / C) to save money / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Economical" means thrifty or cost-saving; "economic" relates to the economy in general.

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13. Q.13

    Spot the error: A) He is quite / B) adverse to taking risks / C) in his investments / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Averse to" describes a person's strong dislike; "adverse" describes something harmful or unfavourable. The sentence needs "averse to taking risks".

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14. Q.14

    Spot the error: (A) Scarcely had he left / (B) when the phone / (C) starts ringing / (D) No error

    1. A (C)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (B)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (C)

    After "scarcely had...," the second clause should also be in the past: "started ringing," not "starts ringing."

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15. Q.15

    Spot the error: A) I was very / B) boring during / C) the long lecture / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Bored" describes the feeling someone has; "boring" describes what causes that feeling.

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16. Q.16

    Spot the error: (A) If I was you / (B) I would not accept / (C) that offer / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    This is a hypothetical situation, requiring the subjunctive "If I were you", not "If I was you".

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17. Q.17

    Spot the error: A) My book is / B) superior than yours / C) in terms of content / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Superior" (like inferior, senior, junior) takes "to", not "than": "superior to yours".

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18. Q.18

    Spot the error: A) Please insure that / B) the documents are signed / C) before you leave / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Ensure" means to make certain; "insure" means to arrange financial compensation. The sentence needs "ensure that".

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19. Q.19

    Spot the error: (A) I would rather die / (B) than to beg / (C) for money / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    'Would rather' is followed by a bare infinitive without 'to': it should be 'than beg,' not 'than to beg.'

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20. Q.20

    Spot the error: A) The continuous interruptions / B) during the meeting / C) were very annoying / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Continual" describes something repeated with breaks; "continuous" means uninterrupted. Interruptions are continual, not continuous.

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21. Q.21

    Spot the error: (A) The teacher asked the students / (B) to not make / (C) noise in the class / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    The standard negative infinitive places "not" before "to": "not to make noise," not "to not make noise."

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22. Q.22

    Spot the error: (A) The company increased / (B) it's profits / (C) significantly this year / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    The possessive form of 'it' is 'its' (no apostrophe); 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is.'

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23. Q.23

    Spot the error: (A) The number of students / (B) in the class are / (C) increasing every year / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "The number of X" refers to a single count and takes a singular verb - "is", not "are".

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24. Q.24

    Spot the error: A) The construction / B) sight was closed / C) for safety inspection / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Site" means a location; "sight" relates to vision or a view. The sentence needs "construction site".

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25. Q.25

    Spot the error: (A) He is one of the / (B) best player / (C) in the team / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "One of the ___" is always followed by a plural noun, so it should be "best players," not "best player."

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26. Q.26

    Spot the error: (A) He is an European / (B) who has lived here / (C) for ten years / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    'European' begins with a consonant sound ('y'), so it takes the article 'a,' not 'an': 'a European.'

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27. Q.27

    Spot the error: A) I would rather you / B) come tomorrow / C) than today / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Would rather" + a different subject takes the past-subjunctive form: "I would rather you came tomorrow".

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28. Q.28

    Spot the error: A) A large amount of / B) students attended / C) the seminar yesterday / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Students" is countable, so it takes "number of", not "amount of" (used for uncountable nouns).

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29. Q.29

    Spot the error: (A) Neither the manager / (B) nor the employees / (C) was present at the meeting / (D) No error

    1. A (C)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (B)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (C)

    With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject ("the employees," plural), so it should be "were present," not "was present."

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30. Q.30

    Spot the error: A) Life has often been compared / B) with a journey / C) in literature / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Compared to" is used for a metaphorical likeness (life IS like a journey); "compared with" is for examining differences between similar things.

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31. Q.31

    Spot the error: A) His handwriting was so / B) eligible / C) that the examiner returned the paper / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (B) (B)

    "Illegible" means unable to be read; "eligible" means qualified or entitled. The sentence needs "so illegible".

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32. Q.32

    Spot the error: (A) She is senior than / (B) me by two / (C) years in the company / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Senior" is a Latin-origin comparative that takes "to," not "than": "senior to me," not "senior than me."

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33. Q.33

    Spot the error: (A) One of my friends / (B) are going / (C) to Mumbai tomorrow / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "One of my friends" is a singular subject, so it should be "is going", not "are going".

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34. Q.34

    Spot the error: (A) There are less students / (B) in this class / (C) than there were last year / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    'Students' is a countable noun, so it should be 'fewer students,' not 'less students.'

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35. Q.35

    Spot the error: A) She gave / B) very sensual advice / C) about managing finances / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Sensible" means practical and wise; "sensual" relates to physical pleasure. The sentence needs "sensible advice".

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36. Q.36

    Spot the error: A) The doctor suggested him / B) to take complete rest / C) for a week / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Suggest" does not take an object + infinitive; correct is "suggested that he take" or "advised him to take".

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37. Q.37

    Spot the error: (A) There are not much chairs / (B) available / (C) in the hall / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    'Chairs' is a countable noun, so it should be 'not many chairs,' not 'not much chairs.'

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38. Q.38

    Spot the error: (A) One should do / (B) his duty sincerely / (C) without any excuse / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    'One' must be followed consistently by 'one's,' not 'his': it should be 'one's duty.'

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39. Q.39

    Spot the error: A) We need to discuss about / B) the new proposal / C) in tomorrow's meeting / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Discuss" is transitive and is never followed by "about": "discuss the new proposal".

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40. Q.40

    Spot the error: A) Walking through the old market, / B) the smell of fresh spices / C) filled the air around us / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    The opening phrase "Walking through the old market" has no logical subject in the main clause - it is "the smell", not a person, that is described as walking. The sentence should begin with something like "As we walked through the old market".

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41. Q.41

    Spot the error: A) I am not sure / B) weather he will come / C) to the party tonight / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Whether" introduces a choice or doubt; "weather" refers to climate conditions. The sentence needs "whether he will come".

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42. Q.42

    Spot the error: (A) A number of students / (B) was absent / (C) from school today / (D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    'A number of' (meaning several/many) takes a plural verb: it should be 'were absent,' not 'was absent.'

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43. Q.43

    Spot the error: A) He always flaunts / B) the traffic rules / C) without any fear / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Flout" means to openly disregard a rule; "flaunt" means to show off. The sentence needs "flouts the traffic rules".

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44. Q.44

    Spot the error: A) He completed the task / B) exactly like / C) his supervisor had instructed him to / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (B) (B)

    "Like" is a preposition and should be followed by a noun, not a clause; before a clause with a verb, "as" is correct: "exactly as his supervisor had instructed".

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45. Q.45

    Spot the error: A) From his silence, / B) I implied that / C) he disagreed / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Infer" means to conclude from evidence (done by the listener); "imply" is done by the speaker. The sentence needs "I inferred".

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46. Q.46

    Spot the error: (A) This is the most / (B) unique painting / (C) I have ever seen / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    "Unique" is an absolute adjective (something either is or isn't one of a kind) and cannot take "most" before it.

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47. Q.47

    Spot the error: (A) The jury have given / (B) their unanimous verdict / (C) in the case / (D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (A)

    'Jury' acting as a single unit takes a singular verb: it should be 'has given,' not 'have given.'

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48. Q.48

    Spot the error: A) The new policy will / B) effect many employees / C) across the company / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Affect" is the verb meaning to influence; "effect" is usually the noun for a result.

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49. Q.49

    Spot the error: A) The report was praised for being / B) concise, accurate, / C) and demonstrating clarity / D) No error

    1. A (A)
    2. B (B)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (C) (C)

    Parallel structure requires matching forms in a list; "concise" and "accurate" are adjectives, so the third item should also be an adjective: "and clear", not "and demonstrating clarity".

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50. Q.50

    Spot the error: A) This is / B) the most best solution / C) to the current crisis / D) No error

    1. A (B)
    2. B (A)
    3. C (C)
    4. D No error
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    Correct answer: (A) (B)

    "Best" is already superlative; "most best" is a double superlative. Just "the best solution".

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