English: Error Detection
Introduction
Error Detection (also called Error Spotting) is one of the most frequently asked topics in competitive English examinations. Candidates are required to identify the part of a sentence that contains a grammatical or usage error.
Questions may involve errors related to Tenses, Subject–Verb Agreement, Articles, Prepositions, Pronouns, Conjunctions, Vocabulary, Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech, and Sentence Structure.
By mastering Error Detection, you can improve both your examination performance and your overall command of English grammar.
What is Error Detection?
Error Detection is the process of identifying the incorrect part of a sentence based on standard English grammar rules.
Most competitive exams divide a sentence into four or five parts and ask candidates to identify the part containing the error.
Example
She / don't / like coffee / at all.
A. She
B. don't
C. like coffee
D. at all
✅ Answer: B
Correction:
She doesn't like coffee.
Why is Error Detection Important?
Error Detection helps you—
- Improve grammar accuracy.
- Score higher in competitive examinations.
- Develop better writing skills.
- Improve spoken English.
- Strengthen reading comprehension.
Common Grammar Areas Covered
Error Detection questions are commonly based on:
- Subject–Verb Agreement
- Tenses
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Modals
- Conjunctions
- Adjectives & Adverbs
- Active & Passive Voice
- Direct & Indirect Speech
- Vocabulary Usage
- Parallelism
- Word Order
Types of Error Detection Questions
Type 1: Subject–Verb Agreement
Example:
The students / is / studying / carefully.
Error:
is
Correct:
are
Type 2: Tense Errors
Example:
I have seen / him / yesterday / evening.
Error:
have seen
Correct:
saw
Type 3: Article Errors
Example:
He is an university student.
Error:
an
Correct:
a
Type 4: Preposition Errors
Example:
She is good in English.
Error:
in
Correct:
at
Type 5: Pronoun Errors
Example:
Each student should submit their assignment. (Many modern style guides accept singular "their," but competitive exams often expect traditional agreement.)
Traditional exam answer:
Each student should submit his or her assignment.
Basic Rules for Error Detection
Rule 1
Read the complete sentence first.
Do not identify the error after reading only one part.
Rule 2
Find the Subject first.
Then check whether the Verb agrees with it.
Rule 3
Check Time Expressions.
Examples:
Yesterday
Last week
Since
For
Tomorrow
These often indicate the correct tense.
Rule 4
Check Articles carefully.
Many questions contain article-related mistakes.
Rule 5
Check Prepositions.
Wrong prepositions are very common in competitive exams.
Memory Tricks
Trick 1
Read the sentence slowly.
Most grammar errors become easier to notice.
Trick 2
Check the Verb first.
Around half of Error Detection questions involve verb-related mistakes.
Trick 3
Look for fixed expressions.
Examples:
Interested in
Good at
Capable of
Different from
Prefer to
Married to
Exam Tip
Always eliminate the grammatically correct parts first.
Then compare the remaining options carefully before selecting the error.
Commonly Tested Error Words
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| Discuss about | Discuss |
| Return back | Return |
| Repeat again | Repeat |
| More better | Better |
| Most best | Best |
| Revert back | Revert |
| Enter into | Enter |
| Order for | Order |
| Prefer than | Prefer to |
| Married with | Married to |
Quick Revision
✔ Read the whole sentence.
✔ Find the Subject.
✔ Check the Verb.
✔ Verify the Tense.
✔ Check Articles.
✔ Check Prepositions.
✔ Check Pronouns.
✔ Look for fixed grammar rules.
80 Most Important Error Detection Rules for Competitive Exams
Error Detection questions in competitive exams are primarily based on grammar rules. Learning these rules will help you identify errors quickly and accurately.
Rule 1: Subject–Verb Agreement
A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.
❌ The students is playing.
✅ The students are playing.
❌ She have completed the work.
✅ She has completed the work.
Rule 2: Singular Indefinite Pronouns
The following words always take a singular verb:
- Everybody
- Everyone
- Somebody
- Anybody
- Nobody
- Each
- Every
Example:
❌ Everybody know the answer.
✅ Everybody knows the answer.
Rule 3: One of + Plural Noun
Use a singular verb.
❌ One of the players are injured.
✅ One of the players is injured.
Rule 4: A Number of / The Number of
A number of → Plural Verb
The number of → Singular Verb
Examples:
✅ A number of books are missing.
✅ The number of books is increasing.
Rule 5: Correct Use of Articles
Use a before consonant sounds.
Use an before vowel sounds.
Examples:
✅ a university
✅ a European country
✅ an honest man
✅ an hour
Rule 6: Correct Prepositions
Some commonly tested combinations:
Good at
Interested in
Afraid of
Capable of
Married to
Depend on
Different from
Proud of
Rule 7: Tense Consistency
Time expressions must match the tense.
❌ I have met him yesterday.
✅ I met him yesterday.
❌ She will came tomorrow.
✅ She will come tomorrow.
Rule 8: Since vs For
Since → Point of time
For → Duration
Examples:
Since Monday
Since 2021
For two years
For five months
Rule 9: Much vs Many
Much → Uncountable nouns
Many → Countable nouns
Examples:
Much money
Many students
Rule 10: Less vs Fewer
Less → Uncountable nouns
Fewer → Countable nouns
Examples:
Less water
Fewer chairs
Rule 11: Pronoun Agreement
Pronouns should agree with their antecedents.
❌ Every student should submit their answer. (Modern English often accepts singular "their," but many competitive exams expect traditional agreement.)
✅ Every student should submit his or her answer.
Rule 12: Double Negatives
Avoid using two negatives together.
❌ I don't know nothing.
✅ I don't know anything.
Rule 13: Comparative & Superlative
Between two → Comparative
Among three or more → Superlative (where appropriate)
Examples:
Ram is taller than Hari.
Everest is the highest mountain.
Rule 14: Parallel Structure
❌ She likes reading, singing and to dance.
✅ She likes reading, singing and dancing.
Rule 15: Conjunction Errors
Incorrect:
Because...so
Although...yet
Though...but
Correct:
Because...
Although...
Though...
Rule 16: Modal Verbs
After a modal verb, always use the base form of the verb.
❌ He can sings.
✅ He can sing.
❌ You should went.
✅ You should go.
Rule 17: Auxiliary Verbs
After does, did, and do, use the base form.
❌ He did went.
✅ He did go.
Rule 18: Gerund after Preposition
A preposition is followed by a verb ending in -ing.
❌ She is interested in learn English.
✅ She is interested in learning English.
Rule 19: Infinitive after Certain Verbs
Some verbs are followed by to + base verb.
Examples:
Want to go
Hope to meet
Plan to study
Need to improve
Rule 20: Redundant Expressions
Avoid unnecessary words.
❌ Return back
✅ Return
❌ Repeat again
✅ Repeat
❌ Discuss about
✅ Discuss
❌ Revert back
✅ Revert
Frequently Asked Error Detection Patterns
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| She don't know. | She doesn't know. |
| He have done it. | He has done it. |
| The news are good. | The news is good. |
| Mathematics are easy. | Mathematics is easy. |
| Furniture are costly. | Furniture is costly. |
| One of boys are absent. | One of the boys is absent. |
| He is senior than me. | He is senior to me. |
| She married with him. | She married him. / She is married to him. |
| Prefer tea than coffee. | Prefer tea to coffee. |
| Enter into the room. | Enter the room. |
| Order for food. | Order food. |
| Return back home. | Return home. |
| Repeat again. | Repeat. |
| Discuss about politics. | Discuss politics. |
| Comprise of ten members. | Comprises ten members. |
Most Commonly Confused Expressions
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| More better | Better |
| Most best | Best |
| Very unique | Unique |
| True fact | Fact |
| Past history | History |
| Free gift | Gift |
| Mutual cooperation | Cooperation |
| Advance planning | Planning |
| Join together | Join |
| Continue on | Continue |
Bengali Memory Tricks
Trick 1
প্রথমে Subject খুঁজুন।
তারপর Verb মিলিয়ে দেখুন।
Trick 2
Sentence-এ Yesterday, Since, For, Tomorrow আছে কিনা দেখুন।
এগুলো Tense নির্ধারণে সাহায্য করে।
Trick 3
Preposition দেখুন।
অনেক প্রশ্নেই ভুল Preposition থাকে।
Trick 4
শেষ থেকে Sentence পড়ুন।
অনেক সময় Error সহজে চোখে পড়ে।
Previous Year Error Trends
Competitive exams frequently ask questions from:
- Subject–Verb Agreement
- Tenses
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Modals
- Vocabulary Usage
- Conjunctions
- Parallelism
- Common Grammar Errors
Quick Revision Box
✔ Subject–Verb Agreement
✔ Tense Consistency
✔ Articles
✔ Prepositions
✔ Pronouns
✔ Modals
✔ Parallel Structure
✔ Avoid Redundant Words
✔ Fixed Grammar Expressions
Practice MCQs (Competitive Exam Pattern)
MCQ 1
Identify the part containing the error.
She / don't / like coffee / very much.
A. She
B. don't
C. like coffee
D. very much
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: "She" is a singular subject, so use doesn't instead of don't.
MCQ 2
Identify the error.
The boys / is / playing / football.
A. The boys
B. is
C. playing
D. football
✅ Answer: B
Correction: are
MCQ 3
Identify the error.
One of the students / are / absent / today.
A. One of the students
B. are
C. absent
D. today
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 4
Identify the error.
Each of the players / have / received / a prize.
A. Each of the players
B. have
C. received
D. a prize
✅ Answer: B
Correction: has
MCQ 5
Identify the error.
The news / are / very / interesting.
A. The news
B. are
C. very
D. interesting
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 6
Identify the error.
Mathematics / are / my favourite / subject.
A. Mathematics
B. are
C. my favourite
D. subject
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 7
Identify the error.
He / have / completed / the assignment.
A. He
B. have
C. completed
D. the assignment
✅ Answer: B
Correction: has
MCQ 8
Identify the error.
She / is good / in / English.
A. She
B. is good
C. in
D. English
✅ Answer: C
Correction: at
MCQ 9
Identify the error.
I have seen / him / yesterday / evening.
A. I have seen
B. him
C. yesterday
D. evening
✅ Answer: A
Correction: I saw
MCQ 10
Identify the error.
The teacher / discussed about / the topic / yesterday.
A. The teacher
B. discussed about
C. the topic
D. yesterday
✅ Answer: B
Correction: discussed the topic
Fill in the Blanks
MCQ 11
Everybody ________ present today.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C
MCQ 12
She has been living here ________ 2019.
A. for
B. since
C. during
D. from
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 13
There isn't ________ milk left.
A. many
B. much
C. few
D. several
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 14
There are ________ books on the shelf than yesterday.
A. less
B. fewer
C. little
D. lesser
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 15
He is married ________ a doctor.
A. with
B. to
C. at
D. in
✅ Answer: B
Sentence Improvement
MCQ 16
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is senior than me.
B. He is senior to me.
C. He is senior with me.
D. He is senior over me.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 17
Choose the correct sentence.
A. I prefer tea than coffee.
B. I prefer tea over coffee.
C. I prefer tea to coffee.
D. I prefer tea with coffee.
✅ Answer: C
MCQ 18
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Return back tomorrow.
B. Return tomorrow.
C. Return again tomorrow.
D. Return back again tomorrow.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 19
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Repeat again.
B. Repeat.
C. Repeat back.
D. Repeat once again again.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 20
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Enter into the room.
B. Enter in the room.
C. Enter the room.
D. Enter inside the room.
✅ Answer: C
Previous Year Style Questions
MCQ 21
Identify the error.
A number of students / is / waiting / outside.
A. A number of students
B. is
C. waiting
D. outside
✅ Answer: B
Correction: are
MCQ 22
Identify the error.
The number of candidates / are / increasing / every year.
A. The number of candidates
B. are
C. increasing
D. every year
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 23
Identify the error.
Neither of the boys / have / arrived / yet.
A. Neither of the boys
B. have
C. arrived
D. yet
✅ Answer: B
Correction: has
MCQ 24
Identify the error.
Either the teachers or the principal / are / attending / the meeting.
A. Either the teachers or the principal
B. are
C. attending
D. the meeting
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
Explanation: With Either...or, the verb agrees with the nearest subject (principal).
MCQ 25
Identify the error.
Bread and butter / are / my favourite / breakfast.
A. Bread and butter
B. are
C. my favourite
D. breakfast
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
Mixed Error Detection Questions
MCQ 26
Identify the error.
The furniture / are / very / expensive.
A. The furniture
B. are
C. very
D. expensive
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 27
Identify the error.
He / did not / went / to school yesterday.
A. He
B. did not
C. went
D. yesterday
✅ Answer: C
Correction: go
MCQ 28
Identify the error.
She / is interested / to learn / English.
A. She
B. is interested
C. to learn
D. English
✅ Answer: C
Correction: in learning
MCQ 29
Identify the error.
No sooner had he reached / when / it started raining.
A. No sooner had he reached
B. when
C. it started
D. raining
✅ Answer: B
Correction: than
MCQ 30
Identify the error.
Scarcely had I entered / than / the bell rang.
A. Scarcely had I entered
B. than
C. the bell
D. rang
✅ Answer: B
Correction: when
Quick Exam Tips
✅ Read the complete sentence before answering.
✅ Identify the Subject and Verb first.
✅ Look for time expressions (yesterday, since, for, tomorrow).
✅ Check articles, prepositions, and pronouns carefully.
✅ Eliminate the grammatically correct parts before selecting the error.
Grammar Challenge
Find and correct the errors:
- Everybody are ready.
- She don't know the answer.
- The news are interesting.
- He did not went home.
- She is married with a doctor.
Try solving them yourself before checking the answers in the next part.
Final Practice MCQs
MCQ 31
Identify the error.
Everybody / have / submitted / the assignment.
A. Everybody
B. have
C. submitted
D. the assignment
✅ Answer: B
Correction: has
MCQ 32
Identify the error.
One of my friends / are / a doctor.
A. One of my friends
B. are
C. a doctor
D. No error
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 33
Identify the error.
Each student / were / given / a certificate.
A. Each student
B. were
C. given
D. a certificate
✅ Answer: B
Correction: was
MCQ 34
Identify the error.
He / is good / in / Mathematics.
A. He
B. is good
C. in
D. Mathematics
✅ Answer: C
Correction: at
MCQ 35
Identify the error.
She / did not / wrote / the letter.
A. She
B. did not
C. wrote
D. the letter
✅ Answer: C
Correction: write
MCQ 36
Identify the error.
Neither of the answers / are / correct.
A. Neither of the answers
B. are
C. correct
D. No error
✅ Answer: B
Correction: is
MCQ 37
Identify the error.
The police / is / investigating / the case.
A. The police
B. is
C. investigating
D. the case
✅ Answer: B
Correction: are
MCQ 38
Identify the error.
The furniture / have / arrived / today.
A. The furniture
B. have
C. arrived
D. today
✅ Answer: B
Correction: has
MCQ 39
Identify the error.
I prefer coffee / than / tea.
A. I prefer coffee
B. than
C. tea
D. No error
✅ Answer: B
Correction: to
MCQ 40
Identify the error.
He is capable / to solve / this problem.
A. He is capable
B. to solve
C. this problem
D. No error
✅ Answer: B
Correction: of solving
Common Mistakes Students Make
❌ Mistake 1
Reading only one part of the sentence.
✔ Always read the entire sentence before identifying the error.
❌ Mistake 2
Ignoring Subject–Verb Agreement.
Examples:
❌ The boys is playing.
✅ The boys are playing.
❌ Mistake 3
Ignoring Tense Clues.
Words like:
- Yesterday
- Last year
- Since
- For
- Tomorrow
often indicate the correct tense.
❌ Mistake 4
Using incorrect Prepositions.
Examples:
❌ Good in English
✅ Good at English
❌ Married with
✅ Married to
❌ Prefer than
✅ Prefer to
❌ Mistake 5
Using redundant expressions.
❌ Return back
❌ Discuss about
❌ Repeat again
✔ Return
✔ Discuss
✔ Repeat
Last-Minute Revision Chart
| Grammar Topic | Correct Rule |
|---|---|
| Everybody | Singular Verb |
| Each | Singular Verb |
| One of + Plural Noun | Singular Verb |
| A Number of | Plural Verb |
| The Number of | Singular Verb |
| Since | Point of Time |
| For | Period of Time |
| Much | Uncountable Noun |
| Many | Countable Noun |
| Less | Uncountable Noun |
| Fewer | Countable Noun |
| Good | At |
| Married | To |
| Prefer | To |
| Capable | Of |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Error Detection in English Grammar?
Error Detection is the process of identifying the incorrect grammatical part of a sentence and correcting it according to standard English grammar rules.
Q2. Which grammar topics are most important for Error Detection?
The most important topics include:
- Subject–Verb Agreement
- Tenses
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Conjunctions
- Modals
- Active & Passive Voice
- Direct & Indirect Speech
- Vocabulary Usage
Q3. How can I improve my Error Detection skills?
- Learn grammar rules thoroughly.
- Practice daily MCQs.
- Solve previous year questions.
- Revise common grammar errors regularly.
- Read English newspapers and editorials.
Q4. Which exams include Error Detection questions?
Error Detection is commonly asked in:
- WB Gram Panchayat
- SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS)
- Railway (RRB)
- PSC & WBCS
- Banking
- Food SI
- TET
- CDS
- NDA
- Other Central & State Government Recruitment Exams
Q5. What is the best strategy to solve Error Detection questions quickly?
- Read the complete sentence.
- Identify the Subject and Verb.
- Check the Tense.
- Verify Articles and Prepositions.
- Look for fixed grammar expressions.
- Eliminate correct options before selecting the incorrect part.
Conclusion
Error Detection is one of the highest-scoring topics in Competitive English. A strong understanding of grammar rules and regular practice will help you identify errors quickly and accurately. Master the fundamentals, revise frequently, and solve mock tests to improve both speed and accuracy in examinations.
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