CRACKTARGET • EXAM PRACTICE • 2026
100 English error-spotting questions with corrections and concise grammar rules for EPFO and DRDO preparation.
Instructions: identify the error before revealing the correction
This practice set contains 100 sentences grouped by ten grammar areas. Each sentence has one intended error or is marked no error. Read the entire sentence, identify the governing rule and propose the smallest correction that preserves meaning. The exercises use formal examination English. Where ordinary usage permits alternatives, the explanation states the convention being tested rather than claiming that every alternative is impossible.
Work in blocks of twenty questions. Allow roughly twenty minutes for an initial block and a separate period for review. Do not judge progress only by how many sentences look familiar. Explain the rule without viewing the answer. A learner who can explain why “a number” and “the number” behave differently is better prepared than one who memorises two isolated corrected sentences.
Subject–verb agreement
The verb agrees with the grammatical subject, not the nearest noun.
1. The list of candidates are ready.
Answer and rule 1
are → is. List is the singular head noun; candidates belongs to the modifying phrase.
2. Each of the files have a reference number.
Answer and rule 2
have → has. Each takes a singular verb even when followed by a plural noun.
3. The quality of these answers depend on evidence.
Answer and rule 3
depend → depends. Quality is singular; answers does not control the verb.
4. Neither of the two statements are correct.
Answer and rule 4
are → is. In formal examination English, neither of two takes a singular verb.
5. Every officer and every assistant were informed.
Answer and rule 5
were → was. Repeated every makes the combined reference distributive and singular.
6. A number of applications has arrived.
Answer and rule 6
has → have. A number of means several and takes a plural verb.
7. The number of applications have increased.
Answer and rule 7
have → has. The number is the singular subject of the sentence.
8. Ten kilometres are a long walk for him.
Answer and rule 8
are → is. The distance is treated as one amount in this construction.
9. The news from the examination centre are encouraging.
Answer and rule 9
are → is. News is grammatically singular despite its final letter.
10. The committee has submitted its report.
Answer and rule 10
No error. The committee acts as a unit here, so singular agreement is appropriate.
Articles
Choose an article by pronunciation, countability and whether the reference is specific.
11. She is an university lecturer.
Answer and rule 11
an → a. University starts with a consonant sound, like you.
12. He waited for a hour.
Answer and rule 12
a → an. Hour begins with a vowel sound because the h is silent.
13. She bought an one-rupee coin from the collector.
Answer and rule 13
an → a. One begins with a consonant sound, like won.
14. He is a honest employee.
Answer and rule 14
a → an. Honest has a silent h and begins with a vowel sound.
15. The Mount Everest attracts climbers from many countries.
Answer and rule 15
Delete The. The name Mount Everest normally takes no definite article.
16. Ganga is an important river.
Answer and rule 16
Ganga → The Ganga. Names of rivers normally take the definite article.
17. She gave me an useful suggestion.
Answer and rule 17
an → a. Useful begins with the consonant sound you.
18. He is best candidate in this group.
Answer and rule 18
best → the best. A superlative identifying a member of a defined group normally takes the.
19. I need an information about the venue.
Answer and rule 19
an information → information. Information is uncountable; use some information or a piece of information.
20. She is an MBA graduate.
Answer and rule 20
No error. MBA begins with the spoken vowel sound em, so an is appropriate.
Prepositions and verb patterns
Learn the construction as a unit rather than translating a preposition word for word.
21. We discussed about the proposal.
Answer and rule 21
Delete about. Discuss is transitive in this meaning: discuss the proposal.
22. He entered into the room quietly.
Answer and rule 22
entered into → entered. For physical entry into a room, enter takes the object directly.
23. She is senior than me in the department.
Answer and rule 23
than → to. Senior takes to when expressing relative rank or service.
24. I prefer tea than coffee.
Answer and rule 24
than → to. The standard preference construction is prefer X to Y.
25. He insisted to paying the bill.
Answer and rule 25
to → on. Insist on is followed by a noun or gerund.
26. The result depends of your preparation.
Answer and rule 26
of → on. The fixed construction is depend on.
27. She is good in solving equations.
Answer and rule 27
in → at. Good at is the usual construction for ability in an activity.
28. He has been absent since three days.
Answer and rule 28
since → for. For introduces a duration; since introduces its starting point.
29. They congratulated her for her success.
Answer and rule 29
for → on. The standard construction is congratulate someone on something.
30. The committee consists of five members.
Answer and rule 30
No error. Consist of correctly introduces the constituent members.
Tense and time sequence
Use time markers and the order of events to select the verb form.
31. He has submitted the form yesterday.
Answer and rule 31
has submitted → submitted. Yesterday identifies a finished past time, requiring the simple past here.
32. She is working here since 2020.
Answer and rule 32
is working → has been working. The activity began in the past and continues to the present.
33. By the time we arrived, the train has left.
Answer and rule 33
has left → had left. The departure preceded another past event.
34. I did not knew the answer.
Answer and rule 34
knew → know. Did already carries the past-tense marking; use the base verb.
35. If it will rain, we will remain indoors.
Answer and rule 35
will rain → rains. An ordinary future condition uses present tense in the if-clause.
36. When he will arrive, we will begin.
Answer and rule 36
will arrive → arrives. A future time clause introduced by when normally uses present tense.
37. She had finished the report before the meeting began.
Answer and rule 37
No error. Past perfect correctly marks completion before the later past event.
38. I have seen him last Monday.
Answer and rule 38
have seen → saw. A specific completed past day calls for simple past.
39. He was reading when the lights go out.
Answer and rule 39
go → went. Both the ongoing action and interruption are located in the past.
40. It is time we leave for the station.
Answer and rule 40
leave → left. It is time followed by a subject commonly takes a past form for present necessity.
Pronouns and reference
Check case, antecedent and whether a reflexive form is actually required.
41. Between you and I, the plan needs revision.
Answer and rule 41
I → me. A preposition requires the objective pronoun.
42. The manager invited Riya and I.
Answer and rule 42
I → me. The pronoun is part of the object of invited.
43. Myself will present the report.
Answer and rule 43
Myself → I. A reflexive pronoun does not replace an ordinary subject pronoun here.
44. Please give the papers to she.
Answer and rule 44
she → her. To requires the objective case.
45. This book is your.
Answer and rule 45
your → yours. The independent possessive pronoun is yours.
46. The company revised their policy and issued its circular.
Answer and rule 46
their → its. Use consistent singular reference to the company as a unit.
47. He hurt him while repairing the shelf.
Answer and rule 47
him → himself. The intended subject and object are the same person.
48. Whom is responsible for this entry?
Answer and rule 48
Whom → Who. The pronoun is the subject of is.
49. To who should I address the letter?
Answer and rule 49
who → whom. Formal English uses whom as the object of to.
50. She completed the assignment herself.
Answer and rule 50
No error. Herself is an emphatic pronoun reinforcing the subject.
Adjectives, adverbs and comparison
Identify whether the word modifies a noun, a verb or a comparison.
51. She speaks English fluent.
Answer and rule 51
fluent → fluently. The verb speaks needs an adverb of manner.
52. He is more taller than his brother.
Answer and rule 52
more taller → taller. Do not combine more with an already comparative adjective.
53. This is the most easiest question.
Answer and rule 53
most easiest → easiest. Easiest already expresses the superlative.
54. Of the two plans, this is the best.
Answer and rule 54
best → better. Use the comparative when comparing two alternatives in formal test English.
55. She solved the problem more quick than I did.
Answer and rule 55
quick → quickly. More modifies the adverb quickly in this comparison.
56. The instructions are enough clear.
Answer and rule 56
enough clear → clear enough. Enough follows the adjective it modifies.
57. He is too weak that he cannot walk.
Answer and rule 57
too weak that → so weak that. Use so…that for this result clause.
58. There are less errors in this version.
Answer and rule 58
less → fewer. Errors are countable plural items.
59. This answer is superior than the previous one.
Answer and rule 59
than → to. Superior is followed by to in this construction.
60. She works hard every day.
Answer and rule 60
No error. Hard is the correct adverb here; hardly would change the meaning.
Infinitives and gerunds
Some verbs select a gerund, some an infinitive, and some a bare infinitive.
61. I look forward to meet you.
Answer and rule 61
meet → meeting. To is a preposition in look forward to, followed by a gerund.
62. She enjoys to read biographies.
Answer and rule 62
to read → reading. Enjoy is followed by a gerund.
63. He avoided to answer the question.
Answer and rule 63
to answer → answering. Avoid takes a gerund rather than a to-infinitive.
64. The officer made him to wait.
Answer and rule 64
to wait → wait. Active make plus object takes the bare infinitive.
65. Let her to speak.
Answer and rule 65
to speak → speak. Let plus object takes the bare infinitive.
66. She decided joining the course.
Answer and rule 66
joining → to join. Decide normally takes a to-infinitive for the intended action.
67. He denied to receive the letter.
Answer and rule 67
to receive → receiving. Deny takes a gerund when referring to the disputed action.
68. Would you mind to close the door?
Answer and rule 68
to close → closing. Mind in this request is followed by a gerund.
69. It is no use to argue now.
Answer and rule 69
to argue → arguing. The conventional construction is it is no use doing something.
70. They agreed to review the proposal.
Answer and rule 70
No error. Agree correctly takes a to-infinitive here.
Conjunctions and parallel structure
Correlative constructions must join grammatically comparable elements.
71. Although he was tired, but he continued.
Answer and rule 71
Delete but. Although already marks the contrast; the paired but is redundant.
72. Because it rained, therefore the match stopped.
Answer and rule 72
Delete therefore. Because introduces the reason without a second coordinating marker.
73. Neither the manager or the assistant replied.
Answer and rule 73
or → nor. The correlative pair is neither…nor.
74. Either submit the form nor withdraw the application.
Answer and rule 74
nor → or. The correlative pair is either…or.
75. She likes reading, swimming and to cycle.
Answer and rule 75
to cycle → cycling. The three coordinated activities should use parallel gerund forms.
76. He is not only honest but also works hard.
Answer and rule 76
works hard → hardworking. After is, coordinate the adjectives honest and hardworking.
77. No sooner had he arrived when the meeting began.
Answer and rule 77
when → than. No sooner is paired with than.
78. Hardly had she sat down than the bell rang.
Answer and rule 78
than → when. Hardly in this sequence is conventionally paired with when.
79. Unless you do not work carefully, errors will occur.
Answer and rule 79
do not work → work. Unless already supplies the negative condition in the intended meaning.
80. Both the report and the annexure are ready.
Answer and rule 80
No error. Both…and correctly coordinates two subjects with a plural verb.
Countability and word form
Several common English nouns do not take ordinary plural or article forms.
81. She gave me several advices.
Answer and rule 81
several advices → several pieces of advice. Advice is uncountable and needs a countable unit phrase.
82. The office purchased new furnitures.
Answer and rule 82
furnitures → furniture. Furniture is an uncountable collective noun in standard English.
83. These equipments require maintenance.
Answer and rule 83
These equipments → This equipment. Equipment is uncountable and takes singular agreement here.
84. He has many work to finish.
Answer and rule 84
many → much. Work in this sense is uncountable.
85. There is a few water in the bottle.
Answer and rule 85
a few → a little. Water is uncountable; a little expresses a small quantity.
86. There are much applicants outside.
Answer and rule 86
much → many. Applicants are countable plural people.
87. She needs two dozens eggs.
Answer and rule 87
dozens → dozen. After a specific number, dozen normally remains singular before the noun.
88. He bought a pair of scissor.
Answer and rule 88
scissor → scissors. The implement takes the plural-form noun scissors.
89. The criteria is clearly stated.
Answer and rule 89
criteria → criterion. A single standard is a criterion; criteria is plural.
90. The evidence supports the conclusion.
Answer and rule 90
No error. Evidence is uncountable and takes the singular verb supports.
Modifiers, idioms and inversion
Check the logical subject of modifiers and the standard shape of the expression.
91. Walking to the office, the rain soaked me.
Answer and rule 91
Walking to the office, the rain soaked me → While I was walking to the office, the rain soaked me. The opening modifier must logically refer to the person walking, not the rain.
92. He returned back the file.
Answer and rule 92
Delete back. Returned already conveys giving or coming back in this sentence.
93. She repeated again the instruction.
Answer and rule 93
Delete again. Repeated already expresses doing the action again.
94. He ordered for a cup of tea.
Answer and rule 94
Delete for. Order takes the requested item directly in this meaning.
95. She resembles to her mother.
Answer and rule 95
Delete to. Resemble is transitive and takes its object directly.
96. I am used to wake up early.
Answer and rule 96
wake → waking. Be used to means be accustomed to and takes a gerund.
97. Seldom he visits the library.
Answer and rule 97
he visits → does he visit. Fronted negative-frequency adverbs trigger subject–auxiliary inversion.
98. Not only he passed, but he also topped the class.
Answer and rule 98
he passed → did he pass. Fronted not only requires inversion in this clause.
99. The reason is because he was absent.
Answer and rule 99
because → that. In formal editing, the reason is that avoids the redundant reason…because pattern.
100. Had I known the time, I would have attended.
Answer and rule 100
No error. Had I known is an inverted conditional equivalent to if I had known.
Turn the answers into a revision system
Keep an error log with the sentence number, your original choice, the correction and the rule. Separate a vocabulary gap from a grammar mistake. If you missed an article because of pronunciation, read the word aloud. If you missed agreement, underline the head noun and temporarily cross out the intervening phrase. If you missed a preposition, record the whole construction rather than a disconnected word pair.
On the next attempt, mix the categories. A heading labelled articles makes the error easier to locate than it will be in a real paper. After two correct attempts, create one new sentence using the same construction. Include a no-error sentence in your own mini-set so that you do not develop the habit of changing every sentence. In a timed examination, unnecessary correction is as costly as failing to identify an actual error.
Continue your preparation
Grammar rules and error spotting · How to use PYQs
Sources and editorial notes
UPSC recruitment-test question papers
Practice questions and worked examples are prepared by CrackTarget. They are not claimed as previous-year questions unless an official paper and question reference are explicitly supplied. Use the recruitment notice applicable to your post for the final syllabus and examination instructions.
Related exam resources: Error-spotting practice can be combined with the 100 English grammar rules. For a full APFC paper simulation, see the downloadable mock test PDF (paid); DRDO SAO learners can use the DRDO SAO study plan.