Spot the Error: Long Sentence Grammar Challenge Quiz

Sharpen your skills in identifying grammatical mistakes in complex sentences with this error detection quiz. Enhance your grasp on sentence structure, verb tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and common grammatical pitfalls found in long English sentences.

1. Error in Subject-Verb Agreement

   Although the group of students were excited about the upcoming field trip, their teacher reminded them to bring their permission slips.

   1. to bring their permission slips
   2. their teacher reminded them
   3. The group of students were excited
   4. No error

   Explanation: The phrase 'The group of students were excited' contains a subject-verb agreement error; 'group,' although referring to students, is singular and should be followed by 'was' instead of 'were.' The other options do not have errors: 'their teacher reminded them' and 'to bring their permission slips' are both grammatically correct. Selecting 'No error' is incorrect because there is a clear agreement mistake present.

2. Incorrect Verb Tense

   When Maria arrived at the station, she realizes that the train had already left five minutes earlier.

   1. she realizes
   2. No error
   3. the train had already left
   4. When Maria arrived at the station

   Explanation: 'She realizes' is incorrect because the sentence begins in the past ('arrived'), so the verb should maintain the past tense and be 'realized.' 'When Maria arrived at the station' and 'the train had already left' both have correct tense usage. 'No error' is inaccurate because there is a verb tense inconsistency.

3. Pronoun Reference Error

   If you place the vase near the edge of the table, it might fall and break before anyone can move them.

   1. No error
   2. it might fall and break
   3. move them
   4. the vase near the edge of the table

   Explanation: The phrase 'move them' is incorrect because 'them' incorrectly refers to 'the vase,' which is singular and should use 'it.' The other parts use the pronoun correctly in context. Choosing 'No error' is wrong because the pronoun reference is unclear.

4. Misplaced Modifier

   Wearing a colorful hat, the parade was much more fun for Julia and her friends.

   1. No error
   2. for Julia and her friends
   3. Wearing a colorful hat
   4. the parade was much more fun

   Explanation: The phrase 'Wearing a colorful hat' is a misplaced modifier because, as written, it incorrectly describes 'the parade' rather than Julia. The sentence should clarify that Julia was wearing the hat. The rest of the sentence is correct. 'No error' is incorrect since the modifier is not properly placed.

5. Unnecessary Comma Usage

   The scientist explained the complex theory, and demonstrated the results to the audience.

   1. the complex theory
   2. No error
   3. explained the complex theory, and demonstrated
   4. to the audience

   Explanation: There should be no comma before 'and' when the subject remains the same in both clauses, so the phrase 'explained the complex theory, and demonstrated' has incorrect comma usage. 'The complex theory' and 'to the audience' are both grammatically correct. Saying 'No error' ignores the punctuation mistake.

6. Missing Parallelism

   The chef is known for preparing delicious meals, organizing the kitchen, and that she trains new employees.

   1. preparing delicious meals
   2. No error
   3. that she trains new employees
   4. organizing the kitchen

   Explanation: 'That she trains new employees' breaks the parallel structure established by the other two gerund phrases. It should be 'training new employees' to match the format. 'Preparing delicious meals' and 'organizing the kitchen' are both properly structured. There is an error, so 'No error' is incorrect.

7. Confused Word Choice

   While their visiting Paris, Tom and Susan plan to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and other famous landmarks.

   1. their visiting Paris
   2. see the Eiffel Tower
   3. Tom and Susan plan
   4. No error

   Explanation: The sentence should use 'they're' (contraction for 'they are') instead of 'their' (possessive pronoun). Both 'Tom and Susan plan' and 'see the Eiffel Tower' make sense in context. 'No error' is incorrect due to the word confusion.

8. Redundancy Error

   Each and every student in the classroom must return back the completed assignment by Friday afternoon.

   1. by Friday afternoon
   2. Each and every student
   3. No error
   4. return back

   Explanation: 'Return back' is redundant, as 'return' already implies 'back.' 'Each and every student' is used for emphasis and is acceptable, although not always necessary. 'By Friday afternoon' is grammatically correct. 'No error' is not appropriate as there is a redundancy error.

9. Incorrect Phrasal Verb

   Because he was unfamiliar with the city, Michael looked up the address but ended getting lost.

   1. ended getting lost
   2. No error
   3. Because he was unfamiliar
   4. looked up the address

   Explanation: 'Ended getting lost' is incorrect; it should be 'ended up getting lost' for correct phrasal verb usage. 'Because he was unfamiliar' and 'looked up the address' are both accurate in the sentence. Choosing 'No error' overlooks this verb error.

10. Preposition Error

    The students discussed about their upcoming exams during the break in the library.

    1. their upcoming exams
    2. discussed about
    3. No error
    4. during the break

    Explanation: 'Discussed about' is incorrect since 'discuss' is not followed by 'about;' it should simply be 'discussed their upcoming exams.' The other options are properly constructed and contextually correct. 'No error' is not right due to the unnecessary preposition.