Error Identification-Grammar Diagnostics

(1) Despite of the heavy rains, the event went on as planned.

• (a) Despite
• (b) heavy rains,
• (c) of the
• (d) No error.

Answer

Correct Answer: (c) of the
The correct expression is ‘Despite the heavy rains’, not ‘Despite of the heavy rains’. The word ‘despite’ should be used without ‘of’.

(2) She could not hardly believe what she was seeing.

• (a) not hardly
• (b) believe what
• (c) she was
• (d) No error.

Answer

Correct Answer: (a) not hardly
The use of ‘not hardly’ is a double negative, which is incorrect in standard English. The sentence should be ‘She could hardly believe what she was seeing.’

(3) He done all the work before the deadline.

• (a) all the
• (b) done
• (c) before the
• (d) No error.

Answer

Correct Answer: (b) done
The correct past participle of ‘do’ when used with ‘has’ or ‘have’ is ‘done’, but when used without an auxiliary verb, it should be ‘did’. The correct sentence is ‘He did all the work before the deadline.’

(4) The manager, along with his team, are attending the conference next week.

• (a) manager, along
• (b) his team, are
• (c) attending the
• (d) No error.

Answer

Correct Answer: (b) his team, are
The subject ‘his team’ is singular, so the verb should also be singular. It should be ‘The manager, along with his team, is attending the conference next week.’

(5) I am looking forward to meet you.

• (a) am looking
• (b) to meet you.
• (c) forward to
• (d) No error.

Answer

Correct Answer: (a) am looking
The correct phrase is ‘I am looking forward to meeting you,’ not ‘I am looking forward to meet you.’