Error Spotting is one of the most frequently asked topics in competitive English sections. Whether you’re preparing for SSC, Banking, or Railway exams, questions from this topic are a regular feature. In this blog, we have provided all the details about the Error Spotting with clear short notes, fast-solving tricks, solved questions from the 2024–25 exams, and more.
What Is Error Spotting in English?
Error Spotting is a grammar-based question type where you are given a sentence with one or more grammatical mistakes. Your task is to identify the segment that contains the error.
These questions test your knowledge of basic grammar rules including subject-verb agreement, tense usage, articles, prepositions, modifiers, and sentence structure.
Skills Required:
- Strong grammar foundation
- Logical elimination
- Quick reading and comprehension
- Pattern recognition
Why Is Error Spotting Important in Competitive Exams?
Error Spotting questions check your attention to detail and grammar proficiency. They are often considered easy to moderate in difficulty and are highly scoring if you know the rules.
| Exam | No. of Questions | Difficulty |
| SSC CGL / CHSL | 1–2 | Easy |
| IBPS PO / SBI PO | 1–2 | Moderate |
| RRB NTPC / Group D | 1 | Easy |
| State PSC / Police | 1–2 | Moderate |
Error Spotting English Short Notes
Some of the most tested grammar concepts in Error Spotting:
| Grammar Concept | Explanation |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | Verb must agree with subject in number/person |
| Tense Consistency | Tenses must be used correctly and consistently |
| Article Usage | Use of ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’ before proper/common nouns |
| Prepositions | Appropriate use of “in”, “on”, “at”, etc. |
| Modifier Placement | Modifiers should be close to the word they modify |
| Pronoun Reference | Correct usage of he, she, it, they, etc. |
| Parallelism | Similar structure for items in a list or comparison |
Error Spotting Quick Revision Tips
Some of the revision tips to solve error spotting questions are as follows:
| Concept | Explanation |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | Singular subject = singular verb; plural subject = plural verb |
| Tense Error | Maintain tense consistency throughout the sentence |
| Article Error | Know when to use “a”, “an” and “the” |
| Redundancy | Avoid repeating the same meaning with multiple words |
| Preposition Error | Use the correct preposition based on context |
| Wrong Modifier Placement | Keep descriptive words next to what they describe |
What Are the Types of Error Spotting Questions in English?
You may come across the following formats in exams:
- Single error in one part of the sentence (A/B/C/D)
- Multiple errors in the sentence
- No error option included
- Error in subject-verb agreement
- Error in modifiers or comparisons
- Grammar-based logical traps
Error Spotting Question Patterns in English
Most questions follow a consistent pattern that helps you solve them faster:
- Sentence is divided into four/five parts
- One part contains a grammatical error
- You must identify the incorrect part (A/B/C/D or 1/2/3/4)
- One option is “No error” to test your overall judgment
Mental Models/Shortcuts:
- Check subject-verb agreement first
- Look for tense shifts
- Eliminate options that are grammatically sound
- Read the sentence in your mind as if reading aloud – errors stand out more
Error Spotting Tricks for SSC CGL and Other Exams
Some of the important tricks to solve error spotting questions are as follows:
- Start with Subject-Verb Agreement – It’s the most common error.
- Read the Sentence Fully First – Don’t jump to conclusions mid-way.
- Spot Tense Inconsistencies – Especially in longer sentences.
- Eliminate Correct Parts Quickly – Narrow down the suspect.
- Watch Out for Modifiers – Especially misplaced or dangling modifiers.
- Check Article and Preposition Use – Small words, big errors.
- Use Options If Available – Sometimes they give away the error.
Solved Error Spotting Questions from 2024–25 Exams
Here are a few memory-based or sourced questions:
Asked in SSC CGL 2024 Tier 1 – Shift 2 (Memory-Based)
Q: Each of the boys in the class have submitted his homework.
Error: have submitted → has submitted
Explanation: “Each” is singular, so the verb should be singular.
From IBPS PO Prelims 2024 Mock
Q: The manager, along with his assistants, are attending the meeting.
Error: are → is
Explanation: Subject is “manager”, so singular verb “is” is used.
Based on RRB NTPC 2024 Shift 3
Q: He is good in mathematics but poor in physics.
Error: good in → good at
Explanation: Correct preposition with “good” is “at”.
Error Spotting Concepts for Bank Exams
Banking exams often twist Error Spotting with extra logic or vocabulary depth.
- You may see complex sentence structures.
- Prepositions and articles are subtly misused.
- Sentence may sound correct but break a rule.
Example (IBPS PO 2024 – Memory Based):
Q: Neither of the answers are correct.
Error: are → is
Explanation: “Neither” is singular, so verb should be singular.
Common Mistakes to Avoid while Solving Error Spotting
While solving Error Spotting English questions, candidates must keep the following in mind:
- Overreading the Sentence: Don’t overcomplicate it – grammar is usually straightforward.
- Ignoring Subject-Verb Agreement: Most errors come from this area.
- Skipping Articles and Prepositions: They may seem minor but are often the error.
- Trusting the Sentence Sound Alone: Sentences may sound correct but still be grammatically wrong.
- Not Reading the Full Sentence: Context is important – don’t spot too early.
FAQs
Re-read the sentence mentally aloud and observe phrases like “in morning,” “at evening,” “a honest man.” These often contain wrong article/preposition use.
Yes. Never judge part by part alone context and sentence flow matter for identifying certain grammar mistakes.
Yes, especially in SSC and Police exams. Errors in reported speech or active/passive construction do appear.
Yes. Sometimes idiomatic usage is incorrect and is the error. Learn common idioms and phrasal verbs.
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