Spot the Error for SSC CGL
Noun, Verb, Pronoun & Grammar Error Detection
1. What is Spot the Error?
Spot the Error questions ask you to identify the part of a sentence that contains a grammatical error.
Usually divided into 4–5 parts (A, B, C, D, sometimes E)
Only one part contains the error
SSC tests nouns, verbs, pronouns, articles, prepositions, adjectives, conjunctions, and idioms
Example:
She go to school every day
Error is in verb → go → should be goes
2. Strategy for Spot the Error
1. Divide Sentence Part-Wise
- Check each part individually (A, B, C, D)
2. Check Grammar Category
- Noun → singular/plural, countable/uncountable
- Verb → tense, agreement, form
- Pronoun → reference, case, number
- Articles → a, an, the
- Prepositions → correct choice, idiomatic use
- Adjectives & Adverbs → degree, placement
- Conjunctions → correct connectors
3. Read for Meaning
- Sometimes the error is logical, not grammatical
4. Eliminate Parts That Are Correct
- Compare each part with grammar rules → choose the part with error
3. Article-Wise Error Patterns
A. Noun Errors
- Singular/plural mismatch, countable/uncountable, possessive errors
Example:
The informations provided by him is useful
Error: informations → should be information
B. Verb Errors
- Tense, agreement, auxiliary usage
Example:
He don't like to play cricket
Error: don't → should be doesn't
C. Pronoun Errors
- Case, reference, number, gender
Example:
Every student must submit their assignment on time
Error: their → should be his/her
D. Article Errors
- a, an, the usage, omission, redundancy
Example:
I saw a elephant in the zoo
Error: a elephant → should be an elephant
E. Preposition Errors
- Wrong preposition choice, idiomatic errors
Example:
She is good in mathematics
Error: in → should be at
F. Adjective & Adverb Errors
- Wrong degree, placement, usage
Example:
She runs more faster than her brother
Error: more faster → should be faster
G. Conjunction Errors
- Wrong connectors, double negatives
Example:
I will go but if it rains
Error: but → should be removed
4. Sample Spot the Error Questions
Q1. Identify the error:
The childrens is playing in the park
A) The
B) childrens
C) is
D) playing
Answer: B) childrens → children
Q2. Identify the error:
She have completed her homework before dinner
A) She
B) have
C) completed
D) before
Answer: B) have → has
Q3. Identify the error:
I saw a owl sitting on the tree
A) I
B) saw
C) a
D) on
Answer: C) a → an
Q4. Identify the error:
He did his work quickly and efficiently
A) He
B) did
C) quickly
D) efficiently
Answer: No error
Q5. Identify the error:
Every student must submit their report on time
A) Every student
B) must submit
C) their
D) on time
Answer: C) their → his/her
5. SSC Exam Tips
Always check part by part, not whole sentence
Classify the error category first → noun, verb, pronoun, etc
Check for subject-verb agreement → SSC frequently tests this
For pronouns, ensure number and gender match
Articles and prepositions are the most common traps
Practice previous 10–15 years' SSC spot the error questions → patterns repeat
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