Spotting Errors

S1 General English: Grammar, Syntax & Agreement

1 The Foundation (S.V.A)

SUB VERB

Subject-Verb Agreement (S.V.A) is the absolute bedrock of the "Spotting Errors" section. The fundamental rule is equilibrium:

  • A singular subject demands a singular verb (e.g., The teacher writes).
  • A plural subject demands a plural verb (e.g., The teachers write).

*Note: Adding 's' to a noun makes it PLURAL. Adding 's' to a verb makes it SINGULAR.

2 The UPSC Trap: Proximity

The Error of Proximity is the Commission's favorite weapon. The verb must agree with the True Subject, not with the noun immediately placed next to it.

Trap Sentence: "The quality of the textbooks were poor."

Correction: "The quality of the textbooks was poor."

(The subject is "quality" [singular], not "textbooks" [plural]).

3 The Deep Dive: High-Yield Grammar Rules

Rule A: "Together With" / "As Well As"

When subjects are joined by phrases like along with, together with, as well as, in addition to, besides, the verb agrees with the FIRST subject.

➢ The Principal, along with the teachers, is attending the seminar. (Not "are")

OR

Rule B: Either/Or & Neither/Nor

When two subjects are joined by Either...or, Neither...nor, Not only...but also, the verb agrees with the subject NEAREST to it.

➢ Neither the Principal nor the teachers were present. (Verb matches "teachers")

➢ Neither the teachers nor the Principal was present. (Verb matches "Principal")

Rule C: Plurals & Compound Nouns

To pluralize a compound noun, you add the 's' to the Main Word (root word), not the end of the phrase.

➢ Brother-in-laws / Brothers-in-law

➢ Commander-in-chiefs / Commanders-in-chief

4 Contextual Application (School Administration)

Incorrect Sentence (Trap) Corrected Sentence Grammar Logic
The committee have submitted its report on fee revision. The committee has submitted its report on fee revision. Collective Nouns acting as a single unit take a singular verb.
One of the student have failed the examination. One of the students has failed the examination. "One of the..." is followed by a Plural Noun but a Singular Verb.
Fifty thousand rupees are a large sum for the library budget. Fifty thousand rupees is a large sum for the library budget. Measurements of money, time, or distance representing a single amount take a singular verb.