Sentence Correction – Concepts for Verbal Ability
Sentence correction questions are designed to assess a student’s knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, and style. They require the student to identify grammatical or structural errors in a sentence and select the most grammatically correct or stylistically appropriate version of the sentence from a set of options. These questions are common in aptitude and placement tests because they gauge an applicant’s attention to detail, command of language, and clarity of expression.
Approach to Sentence Correction
- Identify Errors in the Original Sentence
First, read the sentence carefully and identify any grammatical errors related to tense, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, parallelism, modifier placement, or idiomatic expressions. - Determine the Type of Error
Many errors fall into one of several categories, such as verb tense, pronoun reference, agreement, or word choice. Recognizing these categories can speed up the process of finding and correcting the error. - Read Each Option Carefully
Test each option to see if it corrects the identified error without introducing new mistakes. Avoid focusing on phrasing alone; instead, prioritize grammatical accuracy. - Eliminate Choices with Common Mistakes
Often, some options can be immediately eliminated due to obvious mistakes in grammar or meaning. This will help you narrow down the choices and focus on the best options. - Choose the Option with Clear and Concise Language
If multiple options are grammatically correct, select the one that is most concise and clear. Good sentence structure emphasizes clarity and avoids redundancy.
Common Types of Errors in Sentence Correction
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- The subject and verb must agree in number (singular/plural).
- Example: “The group of students are ready.”
- Error: “are” (should be “is” because “group” is singular).
- Correct Sentence: “The group of students is ready.”
- Verb Tense Consistency
- The sentence should maintain consistent verb tense unless indicating a change in time.
- Example: “He ran quickly and wins the race.”
- Error: “wins” (should be “won” to match past tense).
- Correct Sentence: “He ran quickly and won the race.”
- Pronoun Reference and Agreement
- Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun and agree with it in number and gender.
- Example: “Each of the players took their position.”
- Error: “their” (should be “his or her” because “each” is singular).
- Correct Sentence: “Each of the players took his or her position.”
- Parallelism
- When listing actions or items, use the same grammatical form for each item in the series.
- Example: “She likes reading, to swim, and biking.”
- Error: “to swim” (should be “swimming” to match other gerunds).
- Correct Sentence: “She likes reading, swimming, and biking.”
- Modifier Placement
- Modifiers should be placed near the word they modify to avoid ambiguity.
- Example: “He nearly drove his car for six hours.”
- Error: Misplaced modifier “nearly.”
- Correct Sentence: “He drove his car for nearly six hours.”
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Certain expressions require specific prepositions or phrases.
- Example: “She is capable to complete the task.”
- Error: “to” (should be “of”).
- Correct Sentence: “She is capable of completing the task.”
- Redundancy
- Avoid unnecessary repetition of ideas.
- Example: “The reason he left was because he was tired.”
- Error: “because” is redundant with “the reason.”
- Correct Sentence: “He left because he was tired.”
- Comparisons and Consistency
- Ensure that comparisons are logical and complete.
- Example: “His car is faster than anyone on the road.”
- Error: “anyone” (should be “any other car”).
- Correct Sentence: “His car is faster than any other car on the road.”
Example Questions with Explanations
Example 1
Question: Identify the correct version of the sentence below.
- “The committee, after much debate, have decided to postpone the meeting.”
Options:
- The committee, after much debate, have decided to postpone the meeting.
- The committee, after much debate, has decided to postpone the meeting.
- The committee, after much debate, were deciding to postpone the meeting.
- The committee, after much debate, will decides to postpone the meeting.
Solution: The error lies in subject-verb agreement. “Committee” is a collective noun, treated as singular here, so “has” is correct. Correct Answer: 2. The committee, after much debate, has decided to postpone the meeting.
Example 2
Question: Choose the correct sentence.
- “Running a marathon requires endurance, dedication, and to be patient.”
Options:
- Running a marathon requires endurance, dedication, and to be patient.
- Running a marathon requires endurance, dedication, and patience.
- Running a marathon requires endurance, to be dedicated, and to be patient.
- Running a marathon requires being endurance, dedication, and patience.
Solution: The error is in parallelism. All items in the list should match in form, so “patience” is the correct form to match “endurance” and “dedication.” Correct Answer: 2. Running a marathon requires endurance, dedication, and patience.
Example 3
Question: Select the best version of this sentence.
- “He claimed that he could run faster than anyone in his class.”
Options:
- He claimed that he could run faster than anyone in his class.
- He claimed that he could run faster than anyone else in his class.
- He claimed that he could run faster than any other person in his class.
- He claimed that he could run faster than any in his class.
Solution: “Anyone” implies he is comparing himself with himself, so “anyone else” or “any other person” is better. Correct Answer: 2. He claimed that he could run faster than anyone else in his class.
Example 4
Question: Choose the correct sentence.
- “Neither of the candidates have enough experience for the job.”
Options:
- Neither of the candidates have enough experience for the job.
- Neither of the candidates has enough experience for the job.
- Neither of the candidates having enough experience for the job.
- Neither of the candidates were experienced enough for the job.
Solution: With “neither,” use a singular verb, so “has” is correct. Correct Answer: 2. Neither of the candidates has enough experience for the job.
Practice Questions
Try these on your own:
- “The dog, as well as the cats, play in the backyard.”
- “She wondered how would her parents react to the news.”
- “If anyone calls, tell them I am not available.”
- “She is not only smart but also has generosity.”
Answer Key:
- Correct Answer: “The dog, as well as the cats, plays in the backyard.” (Subject-verb agreement)
- Correct Answer: “She wondered how her parents would react to the news.” (Word order)
- Correct Answer: “If anyone calls, tell him or her I am not available.” (Pronoun agreement)
- Correct Answer: “She is not only smart but also generous.” (Parallelism)
Tips for Success in Sentence Correction
- Familiarize Yourself with Grammar Rules: Review subject-verb agreement, parallelism, modifier placement, and common idiomatic expressions.
- Practice Reading Aloud: Sometimes reading aloud can make errors in sentence flow more obvious.
- Watch for Common Error Patterns: Pay attention to frequently tested areas, like subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, misused modifiers, and pronoun clarity.
- Read Each Option Carefully: Each option should be read in full to ensure it doesn’t introduce new errors while correcting the original issue.
- Avoid Unnecessary Complexity: Often, the simplest and clearest version of the sentence is correct. Avoid options with redundant language or awkward phrasing.
Direct Indirect Speech also may be tested in sentence corrections
Dive into next topic: https://www.learntheta.com/aptitude-reading-comprehension/
Refer Sentence Correction Questions here: https://www.learntheta.com/aptitude-sentence-correction/
LearnTheta is an AI-powered practice platform designed to help students to crack Placement Aptitude Tests. Read it in mode detail here: https://www.learntheta.com/placement-aptitude/