Spot the error

- Conjunctions
- Rules, examples and practice questions
Read each sentence given below and find out whether there is an error
in it. The error, if any will be one of the parts of the sentence which are
marked as 1,2,3 and 4. If there is no error, the answer will be (5) i.e. No
error. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any).

1) As soon as (1) / he got the (2) / letter, at once (3) / he started. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
The conjunction 'as soon as' is used to denote simultaneous actions i.e.
two things/ actions taking place at the same time.

Formula:
As soon as Subject 1st Action + Subject 2nd Action
+ + +
Prese As soon as he sees his mother he stops dancing.
nt
Past As soon as he saw his mother he stopped
dancing.
Futur As soon as he will see his he will stop
e mother dancing.

Remove 'at once'.

The correct sentence should be: As soon as he got the letter, he started.

2) As soon as the watchman (1)/ rings the bell, then all (2) / the
workers (3) / assemble in the hall. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
Remove 'then'.
'Than/then' is NOT used with 'as soon as','as long as','so long as'.
e.g. As soon as he came, the boy opened the door.

The correct sentence here should be: As soon as the watchman rings the
bell, all the workers assemble in the hall.

3) No sooner (1) / did the monkey (2) / see the tiger (3) / when it
jumped. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 4
Explanation:
Replace 'when' with 'than'. 'No sooner' is always followed by 'than'.
'Than' cannot be replaced with 'when' or any other word.
The correct sentence should be: No sooner did the monkey see the
tiger than it jumped.
No sooner.than is also a conjunction to denote simultaneous actions.
No Do/does/d Subjec 1st Action Than Subjec 2nd
sooner + id + t+ + + t+ Action
Pres No does he see his than he stops
ent sooner mother dancing.
Pres No do I see my than I stop
ent sooner mother dancing.
It should also be noted that do/does/did or had must come immediately
after 'No sooner'.
For e.g. No sooner he did see his brother than he stopped the car - is
incorrect.
The correct sentence should be: No sooner did he see his brother than he
stopped the car.
No sooner did the sun rise than we resumed the work.

4) No sooner (1) / did I reach the office (2) / then (3) / it started
raining. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
'No sooner' is always followed by 'than', and not 'then'. Note the
difference between the spellings of the two words.
The correct sentence should be: No sooner did I reach the office than it
started raining.

5) Hardly had she (1) / seen her aunt (2) / than she stopped (3) /
fighting. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
'Hardly' is always followed by 'when'.
'When' cannot be replaced by any other word.
Formula
Hardly/Scarc Had Subject 1st Action + When Subject 2nd Action
ely + + + + +
Hardly had he seen his when he stopped
mother dancing.
Scarcely had he seen his when he ran away.
uncle
'Hardly/Scarcely...when' is used to denote simultaneous action.
The correct sentence should be: Hardly had she seen her aunt when she
stopped fighting.

6) Hardly (1) / we had reached (2) / the platform (3) / when the train
started. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
Hardly is followed by 'had' and 'third' form of verb. Proper way should be 'had we
reached'.
You may refer to the formula table given in the question above.
The correct sentence should be: Hardly had we reached the platform when the train
started.

7) Scarcely had the nurse left (1) / after examining (2) / him than
(3) / the patient died. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
'Scarcely' is always followed by 'when'.
'When' cannot be replaced by 'than' or any other word.
The correct sentence should be: Scarcely had the nurse left after examining
him when the patient died.

8) She had scarcely (1) / finished writing (2) / while she fell (3) /
asleep. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'while' with 'when'.
'Scarcely' is always followed by 'when'.

Formula:
Subject Had Hardly/scarcel 1st action + When Subject 2nd
+ + y+ + + action
She had scarcely finished when she fell
writing asleep.
The correct sentence should be: She had scarcely finished
writing when she fell asleep.

9) That store (1) / hadn't hardly (2) / any of the (3) / required
products. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
'Hardly' itself conveys a negative sense. Use of 'had not' is not required
in this case.
The correct sentence should be: That store hardly had any of the
required products.

10) Annie is (1) / either (2) / intelligent (3) / but hard-working. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 4
Explanation:
'Either..or' is used to show a choice between two alternatives. It refers to
one out of the two.
This conjunction is used in positive sense.
Formula 1: (one person - two qualities/actions - two alternatives - at
least one positive)
Subject + Verb/HV1 + Either + Q1/A1 + Or + Q2/A2 +
Annie is either intelligent or hard-working.
Here, two qualities of Annie have been described which means she has one
of the two given qualities i.e intelligence or hard work
Replace 'but' with 'or'.
In this sentence, two qualities of Annie have been described, it suggests
that she is positively associated with one of them and not both.
The correct sentence should be: Annie is either intelligent or hard-
working.

11) Either you (1) /and he (2) / will have (3) / to pay. (4) / No Error
(5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5

Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
Formula 2: (Two persons - one quality/action - at least one does have
that quality)
Either Subject 1 + Or + Subject 2 + Verb/HV1 + Q/A
+
Either Amit or Kushal has done the work.
Here, action is one (done the work) and people are two (Amit and Kushal).
The work has been done by one of the two.
Replace 'and' with 'or'.
'Either..or' is used in pair.
The correct sentence should be: Either you or he will have to pay.

12) I will either (1) / go for a walk (2) / else play (3) / football. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'else' with 'or'.
'Either...or' is used in pair. It is used in positive sense.
It means, 'one out of the two alternatives'.
The correct sentence should be: I will either go for a walk or play football.

13) Samay is (1) / neither right (2) / not (3) / wrong. (4) / No Error
(5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
'Neither...nor' is the negative of 'Either..or'. It means, 'Not one or the other
of the two'.
This conjunction is used in negative sense.
Formula 1: (One person two qualities/actions two alternatives
both not applicable)
Subject + Verb/HV + Neither + Q1/A1 + Nor + Q2/A2
Mohan is neither mad nor stupid.
Here, two qualities have been mentioned and the subject is concerned with
neither of them.
Replace 'not' with 'nor'.
'Neither..nor' is used in pair.
The correct sentence should be: Samay is neither right nor wrong.

14) Neither Mohit (1) / and Rohit (2) / has broken (3) / the wall
piece. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
Formula 2:(Two persons - one quality/action - the quality or action
doesnt apply to any of the persons)
Neither Subject 1 Nor + Subject 2 Verb/HV + Q/A
+ + +
Neither Ajay nor Jay has painted the wall.
In the above sentence, it has been suggested that the act of painting the
wall concerns neither Ajay nor Jay.
Replace 'and' with 'nor'.
In this case, Subjects are 'Mohit and Rohit'. The above sentence suggests
that the act of breaking the wall piece concerns neither Mohit nor Rohit.
The correct sentence should be: Neither Mohit nor Rohit has broken the
wall piece.
** Note that the helping verb here is always according to the second
subject. Here, it is 'has'. It can not be replaced by 'have'.

15) I did not (1) / steal the oranges (2) / from your orchard (3) /
never did my brother.(4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 4
Explanation:
Formula:
Subject Do/Does Not + Q1/A1 + Nor + Do/Does Subject Q2/A2
+ + + +
He does not drink nor does he smoke.
In some cases, Neither can be substituted by 'Do/Does not'. In that case,
both clauses must have 'do/does'.
Replace 'never' with 'nor'.
The correct sentence should be: I did not steal the oranges from your
orchard nor did my brother.

16) Study hard (1) / lest (2) / you should not (3) / fail. (4) / No Error
(5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
'Lest...should' is used to extend a warning and also suggest the consequences of not paying attention
to that warning.
Warning + Lest+ Person + Should + Consequence
Work hard lest you should fail.
The use of this conjunction in any sentence conveys a negative sense. As
such, 'no' or 'not' should not be used in that sentence.

Remove 'not'.
'Lest...should' already conveys a negative sense.
The correct sentence should be: Study hard lest you should fail.
** Lest is always followed by should, with a not anywhere.
'should' here can not be replaced by 'would' or 'may'.

For e.g. Go through the notes again and again lest you would/may fail, is
incorrect.

17) Sanjay is (1)/ not only smart (2) / though (3) / hard-working. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
The conjunction 'Not only...but also' is used to show either of two qualities
of one subject or a common quality of two subjects.

Formula 1: (One person - two qualities/ two actions)

Subject + HV + Not only + Q1/A1 + But also + Q2/A2
Neha is not only cute but also beautiful.

Replace 'though' with 'but also'.

'Not only..but also' is used in pair.
In this case, 'not only ...but also' is used to show, two qualities of the same
subject, i.e. Sanjay.
The correct sentence should be: Sanjay is not only smart but also hard-
working.

18) Mr. Tomar not only (1) / stopped coming (2) / here but also (3) /
going to any place which is related to (4) the accident. / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
'Not only' will be used before 'coming' as 'but also' is used before 'going'.
'Not only...but also' is used to connect two objects, verbs, gerunds.

For e.g. i. Not only Ranveer but also Ranbir is dancing.

ii. I have invited not only Rohan but also Mohan.
iii. She not only reads but also writes.
The correct sentence here would be: Mr. Tomar stopped not only coming
here but also going to any place which is related to the accident.

19) I haven't been (1) / to Pune before and (2) / neither my brother.
(3) / No Error (4)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Add 'has' after 'neither'.
'Neither' is followed by 'helping verb' and then the 'subject' i.e. 'neither has
my brother'
The correct sentence should be: I haven't been to Pune before and neither
has my brother.
Refer to the formula in previous question.

20) Be kind (1) / not only in words (2) / and also (3) / in action. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'but'.
'Not only ...but also' is co-relative conjunction and used in pair.
The correct sentence should be: Be kind not only in words but also in
action.
Formula 2: (Two persons - common quality/action)
Not only + Subject 1 + But also + Subject 2 + HV + Q/A
Not only Ramesh but also Suresh is poor.
Note: There should be no repetition of action or quality in the first part of
the sentence.
Don't say: Not only Ramesh is poor but also Suresh is poor.
Say: Not only Ramesh but also Suresh is poor.
Similarly,
Don't say: Not only the teacher but also the children is dancing.
Say: Not only the teacher but also the children are dancing.
Don't say: Not only the children but also the teacher are playing.
Say: Not only the children but also the teacher is playing.
The use of helping verb is to be made very carefully. When two subjects
are joined by 'not only..but also', the verb must agree with the second
subject.

21) Your success in sports (1) / not only depends on what (2) sport you
have selected / but on how you (3) / perform in them. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Add 'also' after 'but'.
'Not only...but also' is used in pair.
The correct sentence should be: Your success in sports not only depends on
what sport you have selected but also on how you perform in them.

22) Both Sameer as well as (1) / his wife are (2) / determined (3) / to
make changes. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 1
Explanation:
Replace 'as well as' with 'and'.
'Both..and' is used in pair (Co-relative Conjunction). For
e.g. Both Ram and Shyam
Both You and I

The correct sentence should be: Both Sameer and his wife are
determined to make changes.
For e.g. The sentence, Both the rich along with the poor are facing
trouble due to the demonetization, is incorrect.
The correct sentence should be: Both the rich and poor are facing trouble
due to the demonetization.
Note that 'both...and' is used in pair, 'and' cannot be replaced by 'as well
as', 'along with', 'together with' or any other word.

23) Although I tried (1) / my best (2) / but I could not (3) / pass the
exam. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Conjunction 'Although...yet' is used to express two contrary qualities or
actions of the subject.
'Although/though' is always followed by 'yet'.

Formula:
Although/Thou Subject Verb/HV Q1 Yet Subject Verb/H Q2
gh + + + + + + V
Although he is rich yet he is miser.

'Rich' and 'Miser' are two contrasting qualities of the person.

'Although' is always followed by 'yet'.
'But' cannot be used in place of 'yet'.
It is generally used to show two contrary qualities or actions of a subject
(person).
The correct sentence should be: Although I tried my best yet I could not
pass the exam.

24) Though she (1) / was sick (2) / but she (3) / went to the club. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 4
Explanation:
Replace 'but' with 'yet'.
'Although/Though..yet' is used in pair.
The correct sentence should be: Though she was sick yet she went to the
club.

25) The workers (1) / take a break (2) / between 4 pm to 6 pm (3) /

everyday. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
'Between' is followed by 'and'.
The correct sentence should be: The workers take a break between 4
pm and 6 pm everyday.

26) From June 1995 (1) / and June 2005, (2) / the city's population
(3) / declined by 20,000 people.(4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'to'.
'From' is always followed by 'to'.
The correct sentence should be: From June 1995 to June 2005, the city's
population declined by 20,000 people.

27) The programme was (1) / almost fixed though (2) / it was his
negligence (3) / that led to disappointment.(4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'though' with 'but'. Two show contrasting qualities, 'but' is used.
e.g. She is poor but honest.
The correct sentence should be: The programme was almost fixed but it was
his negligence that led to disappointment.
But/Yet are used interchangeably in many cases.
e.g. It is strange 'yet/but' it is true.

28) He has lots (1) / of money (2) / and he dare not (3) / start a
company. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'but'.
To show two contrasting qualities of same subject, use of 'but' is preferred
rather than 'and'.

The correct sentence would be: He has lots of money but he dare not start a
company.

29) Our destination (1) / was about (2) / fifty and sixty (3) /
kilometers to the west. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'or'.
In this case, destination cannot be both 'fifty and sixty' kilometers at the
same time.
The intention here to convey, either one of the two.

The correct sentence should be: Our destination was about fifty or sixty
kilometers to the west.

30) I cannot say (1) / if he has (2) / passed the exam (3) / or not.
(4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 2
Explanation:
Replace 'if' with 'whether'.
'Whether' is followed by 'or' i.e. 'whether...or' form.
The correct sentence should be: I cannot say whether he has passed the
exam or not.

31) You must admire (1) / the artwork (2) / when your brother (3) /
has done it. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation: Replace 'when' with 'if'.
To express condition, as in this case, we use 'if'.'When' would mean admire
whenever brother has done the artwork, that is not the intention here.
The correct sentence should be: You must admire the artwork if your
brother has done it.

32) She would not (1) / have suffered (2) / when you had (3) / helped
her in time. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation: Replace 'when' with 'if'.
For conditional statements or sentences, 'if' is used.
The correct sentence should be: She would not have suffered if you had
helped her in time.

33) I can't allow (1) / you to go out of the class (2) / unless they
provide (3) / further instructions. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation: Replace 'unless' with 'until'.
Until denotes sense of time, whereas Unless denotes condition.
In this case, Until must be used.
The correct sentence should be: I can't allow you to go out of the
class until they provide further instructions.
34) Unless you do not give (1) / the keys to (2) / the locker (3) / you
will be killed. (4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Remove 'do not'. 'Unless' itself conveys a negative sense. Use of 'do not'
is not required in this case.
The correct sentence should be: Unless you give the keys to the locker you
will be killed.
Because/As/For - All these conjunctions mean 'because'.

35) I could not (1) / go to school (2) / as I was (3) / seriously ill. (4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'as' with 'because'.
As conjunctions, 'Because', 'As', 'For', 'Since' specify reasons in the
following manner:
1) 'Because' shows the strongest reason.
2) 'Since' shows normally strong reason.
3) 'As/For' shows the weakest cause.
The correct sentence should be: I could not go to school because I was
seriously ill. (A Strong case)

36) I did not (1) / go to college (2) / because it was (3) / raining.(4) /
No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'because' with 'as'.
Here, it is a weak case, correct usage is 'as it was raining'.
The correct sentence should be: I did not go college as it was raining.
**Although Grammar prescribes different rules of 'Because', 'As', 'For', yet
it is not a hard and fast rule.
e.g. My parents traveled by air 'as/for/because' they wanted to arrive
early.
You'd better take the motorcycle 'as/for/since' part of the road is blocked.
Both my cousin and his friend cannot come early 'as/for/because' they are
busy doing their work.

37) He has been (1) / studying with me (2) / as he (3) / came here.
(4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 3
Explanation:
Replace 'as' with 'since'.
In this case, the intention is to convey 'from the time' he came, so the correct
thing to say is 'since he came here'.

'Since' is used in two ways -

1) To express time
2) To express 'cause' or 'reason'.
e.g. It is a month since I saw her. (Time)
Since she is my aunt, I obey her. (Reason)
The correct sentence should be: He has been studying with me since he
came here.
'As long as/ So long as' denote time during which an action or event takes
place.

38) Till I am alive (1) / nobody can (2) / ever harm (3) / you. (4) / No
Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 1
Explanation:
Replace 'till' with 'as long as'.
'Till' cannot be used to begin any sentence.
The correct sentence should be: As long as I am alive nobody can ever
harm you.
39) So long (1) / you work (2) / honestly, no one (3) / can fire you.
(4) / No Error (5)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Answer Explanation
ANSWER: 1
Explanation:
Add 'as' after 'so long'. The correct form of this conjunction is 'so long as'.
'As long as/So long as' convey the same meaning.
Though there is some difference in their use. 'As long as' is used only in
affirmative sense.
'So long as' is used in negative and affirmative both.
e.g. So long as he does not offend me, I will not hit him. (Negative
sense)
The correct sentence should be: So long as you work honestly, no one can
fire you.