Error Spotting – Study Notes
(NABARD Development Assistant – English Language)
1. Simple Explanation
Error spotting is the skill of detecting mistakes in a passage of text.
It tests your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and overall sentence‑structure rules.
In the NABARD exam you’ll be given a paragraph and asked to choose the sentence that contains an error (or to correct the error).
2. Key Points
| Area | What to Look For | Typical Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Tense consistency, subject‑verb agreement, pronoun‑antecedent agreement | “She don’t like” → “She doesn’t like” |
| Punctuation | Commas, semicolons, apostrophes, quotation marks | “He said I love you” → “He said, “I love you.” |
| Spelling | Homophones, word endings, common misspellings | “definately” → “definitely” |
| Sentence Structure | Run‑on sentences, fragments, comma splices | “I went to the market I bought apples.” |
| Article Use | Definite/indefinite articles (a/an/the) | “The apple is good.” (without context) |
| Prepositions | In, on, at, by, for, to, etc. | “He is good in mathematics.” → “He is good at mathematics.” |
| Verb Forms | Base form, gerund, infinitive, participle | “I enjoy to read.” → “I enjoy reading.” |
| Word Choice | Incorrect collocations, awkward phrasing | “She gave a great performance.” (correct, but “great” can be replaced with “excellent”) |
Tips for Spotting Errors
- Read Slowly & Re‑read – slow reading helps you notice anomalies.
- Check Tenses – ensure the verb tense is consistent throughout a sentence.
- Count the Subjects – each clause must have a subject that agrees with the verb.
- Punctuation Rules – remember that a comma cannot join two independent clauses; use a semicolon or a conjunction.
- Use a Reference – keep a compact grammar guide handy for quick checks.
- Identify Common Pitfalls – e.g., “its” vs. “it’s”, “affect” vs. “effect”, “between” vs. “among”.
3. Worked Example
Original Paragraph
The project was launched last year and it has been successfully implemented. Their has been many challenges during the process. The team will continue to monitor the progress and make necessary changes, if any.
Question: Which sentence contains an error?
Step‑by‑Step Error Detection
-
Sentence 1 – “The project was launched last year and it has been successfully implemented.”
No errors. -
Sentence 2 – “Their has been many challenges during the process.”
- “Their” is a possessive adjective; the correct word should be “There” (adverb meaning “in that place” or “here”).
- Also, “has” should be “have” because “many challenges” is plural.
Corrected: “There have been many challenges during the process.”
-
Sentence 3 – “The team will continue to monitor the progress and make necessary changes, if any.”
- “necessary changes” is fine.
- The comma before “if any” is optional but acceptable.
No errors.
Answer: The second sentence contains an error.
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Identify the type of error first (grammar, punctuation, spelling, structure).
- Check each clause for subject‑verb agreement and tense consistency.
- Verify article usage and prepositions.
- Spot common homophone mistakes (“its” vs. “it’s”, “their” vs. “there”).
- Punctuation: commas should not join independent clauses; use semicolons or coordinating conjunctions.
- Practice regularly with sample paragraphs; annotate errors as you find them.
Mini‑Practice (Optional)
- The committee has decided to approve the proposal, however, it will be reviewed again next month.
- He will finish the report by tomorrow, and will submit it to the manager.
- The new policy, which will be effective from next year, has been well received by the staff.
Identify any errors and write the corrected sentences.