noun Flashcards
(193 cards)
1
Q
1.Daniel come to judgement!
A
- Correct: A Daniel come to judgement! It is true that Daniel is a proper noun. Proper nouns do not take articles before them. But in the above usage, Daniel has become a common noun which means a wise judge. The judge here is not named Daniel but shares the characteristics epitomised by Daniel. This is what Shylock says in The Merchant of Venice when he feels Dr. Balthazar (who is actually Portia) is passing a judgement that would be favourable to him: A Daniel come to judgement! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge! how I do honour thee!
2
Q
2.The army have been called to carry out the rescueoperations.
A
2.When we think of the army, what strikes our mind is the soldiers. So, we tend to use plural verb have. In fact, however, the army is a group of soldiers. Obviously, then the verb should be singular. Correct: The army has been called to carry out rescue operations.
3
Q
3.The parliament is divided on the bill.
A
3.Since the parliament is divided, it is not being thought of as a whole, but in terms of its constituents. Hence, use the plural verb. Correct: The parliament are divided on the bill.
4
Q
4.Do not pride on your youngness because one day youshall grow old.
A
4.The abstract noun from adjective young is not youngness, but youth. Correct: Do not pride on your youth because….
5
Q
5.Keep on laughing. Laugh is the best medicine.
A
5.Laugh is generally used for the sound or manner of laughing. So, Ratan might have a hissing laugh and Kali might have a gurgling laugh. But when we talk of the act of laughing, and that too as a generality, we use laughter. It is not person-specific best medicine, but the best for one and all. Correct: Keep on laughing. Laughter is the best medicine.
6
Q
6.His brother committed a thiefhood in his house.
A
6.The abstract noun from common noun thief is theft, not thiefhood. Correct: His brother committed a theft in his house.
7
Q
7.The chair is made of a wood.
A
7.Wood is a material noun. A material noun does not take an article before it. Delete a. Correct: The chair is made of wood.
8
Q
8.He wears glass to aid his short-sighted eyes.
A
8.The given sentence suggests that merely glass the material is being worn. However, what the writer intends is spectacles made of glass. So, use glasses. Correct: He wears glasses to aid his short-sighted eyes.
9
Q
9.Lata works as a she-servant in the house.
A
9.Servant may be used as a noun of the common gender. However, if it is necessary to make a gender distinction, the feminine is maid-servant (not she-servant) and the masculine man-servant. Correct: Lata works as a maid-servant in the house.
10
Q
10.The team camped at Namkum. They followed arigorous routine.
A
10.Team, like army, is a collective noun. Collective nouns are of the neuter gender and in the singular number. So, replace they by it. Correct: The team …. It followed a rigorous routine.
11
Q
11.While experimenting on the guinea pig, the doctortook his special care.
A
11.Do you go to the extent of finding out which sex the guinea pig belongs to? Grammar has a way out. It treats lower animals in the neuter gender. So, Correct:While experimenting on the guinea pig, the doctor took its special care.
12
Q
12.Time passes in its chariot majestically.
A
12.Here time is being personified. We are talking of Time the king who is the possessor of a chariot and invested with majesty. So, Correct: Time passes in his chariot majestically.
13
Q
13.The Earth treats us as his children, not strangers.
A
13.The earth is being treated as a person. Upto that extent the sentence is correct. But whenever you personify something, you are confronted with another question: is the person a male or a female? Now, convention has it that the Earth is the Mother, the female, while the Sky is the father, the male. And the convention is logical enough. We are more in touch with our mother. We are more in touch with the Earth. Correct: The Earth treats us as her children, not strangers.
14
Q
14.When the moon comes between the earth and thesun, her shadow causes solar eclipse.
A
14.The moon also, when personified, is treated as a female whereas the sun is considered to be a male. But, in the given sentence, the moon is a scientific object, not a person. So, the neuter gender should be used. Correct: When the moon comes between the earth and the sun, its shadow causes solar eclipse.
15
Q
15.Take care of the vixen because they are wilycreatures.
A
15.The mistake being made here is in the use of vixen. Vixen is the feminine of fox, not its plural. So, Correct:Take care of the foxes because they are wily creatures. OR,Take care of the vixen because she is a wily creature.
16
Q
16.The trees bore mangos last summer.
A
16.The plural of mango is mangoes, not mangos. Correct: The trees bore mangoes last summer.
17
Q
17.Who shall win if there is a contest between thedwarves and the giants?
A
17.Though dwarf ends in f, its plural is formed by merely adding -s not by changing the ending to -ves. Correct: Who shall win … between the dwarfs and the giants?
18
Q
18.Sunil Gavaskar scored more than ten thousands runs.
A
18.Thousand is a unit of counting. Since it is being used after a number - ten -, it will be in the singular. Correct:Sunil Gavaskar scored more than ten thousand runs.
19
Q
19.He does not cut paper with blade, but with scissor.
A
19.How do you use scissors? Both its parts are brought into action together. So, don’t say scissor but a pair of scissors or scissors (plural). Correct: He does not cut paper with blade, but with scissors.
20
Q
20.The same board is used for chess as well as draught.
A
20.The game is not draught but draughts. Correct: The same board is used for chess as well as draughts.
21
Q
21.The Indians are a religious-minded people.
A
21.The sentence is correct. People usually is used as a plural. But when it means a nation, as it does here, it is used as a singular. So, … a … people.
22
Q
22.It is very difficult to chase a huge score in the fourthinning.
A
22.Though used in the singular, innings retains its plural form. So, Correct: It is very difficult to chase a huge score in the fourth innings.
23
Q
23.Children should not seek admissions to the elders’ society.
A
23.Admission here means the act of admitting - an abstract noun. Abstract nouns are not used in the plural. Correct: Children should not seek admission to the elders’ society.
24
Q
24.The down-to-earth never forget the grounds onwhich they stand.
A
24.While referring to the down-to-earth, the ground obviously means the earth. Hence, it should not be used in the plural. Correct: The down-to-earth never forget the ground on which they stand.
25
25.The law of indexes proves very helpful in algebraic calculations.
25.The index used in algebra, when changed to plural, becomes indices. Correct: The law of indices proves very helpful in algebraic calculations.
26
26.The bright lamps gave much lights.
26.If one lamp gives light, do you think two lamps will give two lights? Light is not countable and so does not have a plural. When you use light for lamp itself, then the use of plural is justified. Correct: The bright lamps gave much light.
27
27.The practices of the lawyers vary from those of thedoctors.
27.Here we are talking of persons from different professions - lawyers and doctors. Practice thus means exercise of a profession. This meaning does not have a plural. So, Correct: The practice of the lawyers varies from that of the doctors.
28
28.This vehicle is a carrier of goods.
28.The sentence is correct. Goods is always used in plural when it means things to be transported.
29
29.I spoke to Kumar Gaurav's the actor's secretary.
29.Here, the actor refers to Kumar Gaurav. So the nouns are in apposition. In such cases the possessive sign is used only for the latter noun. Correct: I spoke to Kumar Gaurav the actor's secretary.
30
30.He brought the cake from Deepak's.
30.The sentence is correct. In such usages, merely the use of the possessive is sufficient to denote a building or a place of business. Deepak's means Deepak's shop.
31
31.There was no money in the bank in Maya's andVeena's joint account.
31.Using two possessives would imply separate accounts. But it is clearly mentioned that it is a joint account. So, the possessive must be used with the latter only. Correct:There was no money in the bank in Maya and Veena's joint account.
32
32.The cup's base was rounded.
32.The cup is not a living thing. So, it is incorrect to use the possessive sign. Correct: The base of the cup was rounded.
33
33.You will be promoted in the time of a year.
33.The possessive is used with nouns denoting time. So, Correct: You will be promoted in a year's time.
34
34.Mr. M is ready to make any sacrifice for the sake ofjustice.
34.The phrase in use is for justice' sake. Correct: Mr M is ready to make any sacrifice for justice' sake.
35
35.Devendra Kaushik is Anand of our chess circle.
35.Devendra Kaushik is not Vishwanathan Anand. Anand here is a common noun that stands for top-notch chess players. So, Correct: Devendra Kaushik is the Anand of our chess circle.
36
36.The fleet of ships move at a uniform speed.
36.The fleet is a collective noun. It should be used in the singular. Correct: The fleet of ships moves at a uniform speed.
37
37.Aurangzeb's religious bigotism caused severe harm tothe Mughal empire.
37.The abstract noun from bigot is bigotry, not bigotism. Correct:Aurangzeb's religious bigotry caused severe harm to the Mughal empire.
38
38.The tin is a precious metal.
38.Tin is a material noun. A material noun does not take an article before it. Correct: Tin is a precious metal.
39
39.Queen Elizabeth is the monarchess of England.
39.Monarch does not have a feminine. It is of the common gender. Correct: Queen Elizabeth is the monarch of England.
40
40.The milkwoman said that she would not supply milkon holidays
40.The feminine of milkman is milkmaid, not milkwoman. Correct: The milkmaid said that she would not supply milk on holidays.
41
1.It is not advisable (a)/ to take heavy luggages (b)/ while on a journey. (c)/ No error (d)
1.(b) 'Luggage' is an uncountable noun. 'Luggages' should be 'luggage'.
42
2.Things in nature (a)/ die a temporary deaths (b)/ only to appear again. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2015]
2.(b) 'A' is followed by a singular countable noun. 'Deaths' should be 'death'.
43
3. This is (a)/ Johns book (b)/ on the table. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2015]
"3.(b) To show possession an apostrophe + 's' is required. Therefore, ""Johns book"" should be 'John's book'."
44
3.I have been (a)/ invited to a party (b)/ hosted by my cousin sister. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2015]
4.(c) The word 'cousin' is not followed by brother or sister. 'My cousin sister' should be 'my cousin'.
45
5. One of the most (a)/ widely spread (b)/ bad habit is the use of tobacco. (c)/No error (d) [CGL (PT) 2014]
5.(c) 'One + of' is followed by a plural noun. 'Bad habit' should be 'bad habits'.
46
6.In India, hill stations (a)/ usually have (b)/ beautiful sceneries. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2014]
6.(c) 'Scenery' is an uncountable noun. Therefore, 'sceneries' should be 'scenery'.
47
7.A two-bedroom flat (a)/ with all furnitures (b)/ is available for sale. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
7.(b) 'Furniture' is an uncountable noun. Therefore, 'furnitures' should be 'furniture'.
48
8.A parent has (a)/ much duties (b)/ towards his child. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
8.(b) A plural noun can follow many, not much. Therefore, 'much duties' should be 'many duties'.
49
9. She invited (a)/ all her daughter-in-laws (b)/ to the grand party last week. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
9.(b) The first element of a compound noun ending in '-law' takes '-s'. Therefore, 'daughter-in-laws' should be daughters-in-law.
50
9.Some of our latest canon (a)/ that have come out of the production (b)/ line have a very long range. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2014]
10.(d) The plural of canon is canon. The sentence contains 'no error'.
51
10.According to some estimates (a)/ there are (b)/seven thousand type of plants. (c)/No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
11.(c) The numeral quantitative thousand can be followed by a plural noun. Therefore, 'type' should be 'types'.
52
11.It is (a)/ a quarter to ten (b)/ by my watch. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
12.(d) The sentence contains no error.
53
12.One of my friend (a)/ is returning (b)/ to India from the USA. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
13.(a) 'One of' is followed by a plural noun. 'One of my friend' should be 'One of my friends'.
54
14. The lawyer (a)/ has plenty (b)/ of clients. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
14.(b) In formal English, many/a number of is used.
55
15.In India (a)/ working woman lead a life of dual responsibilities (b)/ if they are married and have a family. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-1) 2013]
15.(b) 'Working woman' should be 'working women'.
56
16.This stamp is only one (a)/ of the designs (b)/ ever printed. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-1 2013]
16.(d) The sentence contains no error.
57
17. Mohans eyes (a)/ reflect a hope (b)/ for a better future in Microsoft. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-I) 2013]
17.(a) To show possession, a proper noun not ending in '- s' requires an apostrophe +s. Therefore, 'Mohans eyes' should be 'Mohan's eyes'.
58
17.The paintings of natural sceneries (a)/ are selling (b)/ like hot cakes. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2013]
18.(a) 'Sceneries' should be 'scenery'.
59
18.You shall get (a)/ all the informations (b)/ if you read this book carefully. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2013]
19.(b) Information is an uncountable noun. Hence, 'informations' should be 'information'.
60
19.My friend Anu (a)/ is one of the best tennis player (b)/ in the country. (c)/ No error (d) [Multitasking 2013]
20.(b) 'Player' should be 'Players'.
61
20.The first inning (a)/ of the match (b)/ was very sensational. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (Main) 2013]
21.(a) The word 'innings' has the same form in the singular and plural. Therefore, 'the first inning' should be 'the first innings'.
62
22. On receiving the mark-sheet from the university (a)/ I realized (b)/ that I had got only passing marks in English. (c)/ No error (d) [FCI (PT) 2013]
22.(c) 'Passing marks' should be 'pass marks'.
63
23.The porter (a)/ demanded fifty rupees (b)/ to carry my luggages. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2012]
23.(c) Luggages should be luggage.
64
24.My elder brother (a)/ is six (b)/ foot high. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-I) 2012]
24.(c) The numeral 'six' should be followed by a plural noun. 'Foot' should be 'feet'. 'High' should be 'tall'.
65
25. My grandfather owns (a)/ fifty acre (b)/ of wet land. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-I) 2012]
25.(b) The numeral 'fifty' should be followed by a plural noun. 'Fifty acre' should be 'fifty acres'.
66
25.It is believed (a)/ that smoking is (b)/ one of the cause of cancer. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
26.(c) 'One of the cause' should be 'one of the causes'.
67
27. Our cooker (a)/ wants an increase (b)/ in her salary. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
27.(a) The work 'cooker' is a cooking vessel. 'Our cooker' should be 'our cook'. 'Cook' means the person who cooks.
68
28.By 8 a.m. every morning (a)/ I finish having (b)/ my lunch. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
28.(a) 'My lunch' should be 'my breakfast'. 'Lunch' is not taken in the morning.
69
29. The contents of the room (a)/ consisted of (b)/ a carpet and a few furnitures. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2012]
29.(c) 'Furnitures' should be 'furniture'.
70
29.The only one (a)/ who can decide (b)/ ones destiny is God. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2012]
30.(c) To show possession or relation, an apostrophe + s is required. 'Ones' should be One's.
71
30.We get (a)/ excellent furnitures (b)/ in this shop. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
31.(b) 'Furnitures' should be 'furniture'.
72
32. We should arrange (a)/ for a porter as (b)/ the luggages are heavy. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
32.(c) 'Luggages' should be 'luggage'.
73
33. Hari lost (a)/ a hundred-rupees note (b)/ yesterday. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
33.(b) The numeral quantitative hundred is used as an adjective in this construction. Therefore, 'a hundred-rupees note' should be 'a hundred-rupee note'.
74
34.The furnitures (a)/ had become (b)/ old and rusty. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2011]
34.(a) 'The furnitures' should be 'the furniture'.
75
35.I (a)/ have (b)/ many works to do. (c)/ No error (d)
35.(c) The word 'work' is an uncountable noun. An uncountable noun can follow the word 'much' not 'many'. Therefore, 'many works' should be 'much work'.
76
36. A great many student (a)/ have been declared (b)/ successful. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-I 2011]
36.(a) 'A great many' should be followed by a plural noun. Therefore, 'a great many student' should be 'a great many students'.
77
36.They are standing (a)/ at the gate of the auditorium (b)/ as there is no place inside. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2011]
37.(c) 'No place' should be 'no room'.
78
37.There are (a)/ no poetries (b) in my book (c) No error (d) [LDC 2011]
38.(b) 'Poetry' is an uncountable noun. Therefore, 'poetry' should be 'poems'.
79
39. The sceneries (a)/ of Kashmir (b)/ is very charming. (c)/ No error (d) [Tax Assistant 2009]
39.(a) 'The sceneries' should be 'the scenery'.
80
40.I went to the temple (a)/ with my parents, my aunts (b)/ and my cousin sisters. (c)/ No error (d) [Section Officer 2006]
40.(c) 'Cousin sister' should be 'cousin'.
81
41. They are a politically important family (a)/ one of his sister is a minister (b)/ and another is married to a minister. (c)/ No error (d) [Statistical Investigator 2008]
41.(b) 'One of his sister' should be 'one of his sisters'.
82
42. They left (a)/ their luggages (b)/ at the railway station. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (II) 2012]
42.(b) 'Luggages' should be 'luggage'.
83
43.He is one of those few post-colonial writer who believe (a)/ that this talk about colonialism has gone too far (b)/ and has turned into a cliché. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (I) 2010]
44. One of the most important factor (a)/ that contribute to the success of a person (b)/ is his sincerity. (c)/ No error (d)
"43. (a) 'Writer' should be 'Writers'.
44. (a) 'Factor' should be 'factors'.
"
84
1.I am participating (a)/ in the two-miles race (b)/ tomorrow morning. (c)/ No error (d) [NDA (II) 2009] (II)
1.(b) If a number is used as an adjective, it is followed by a singular noun. Remember that hyphenated nouns are always singular. 'Miles' should be 'mile'.
85
2.The two hundred rupees-notes (a)/ that he gave them for the goods brought from them looked genuine (b)/ but later they reliably learnt that the notes were all counterfeit. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (I) 2014]
2.(a) 'The two hundred rupees-notes' should be 'The two hundred-rupee notes'.
86
3.What sort of a drug this is (a)/ that no one seems to be able to predict its long term effects (b)/ with any certainty? (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (I) & (II) 2012]
3.(a) The nouns after kind of/type of/sort of are not preceded by any article. Therefore, 'a drug' should be 'drug'.
87
4.I have done my best (a) the whole thing is now (b)/ in the hands of the Gods. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (I) 2011]
4.(c) To refer to the almighty, we use 'God'. Therefore, 'Gods' should be 'God'.
88
5.The commission set-up to submit a report (a)/ about the reasons for the fall in educational standards (b)/ could not complete its work even after two years. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (I) 2010]
5.(b) 'Educational standards' should be 'Educational standard'.
89
6.I spent nearly four and half years (a)/ at Harrow (b)/ of which three were in the Army class. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (II) 2010]
6.(c) The construction 'numeral + and + a + Fraction + plural' should be born in mind. Four and half years should be four and a half years.
90
7.My daughter-in-laws (a)/ who are in Kolkata (b)/ have come to visit us. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (I) 2009]
7.(a) Compound nouns ending in law add -s to the first element. Therefore, 'my daughter-in-laws 'should be' my daughters-in-law'.
91
8. I always like to have (a)/ about four toasts (b)/ for breakfast. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS (II) 2008]
8.(b) 'Toast' is an uncountable noun. To achieve countability, we can use one piece or two pieces of toast, etc.Therefore, 'four toasts' should be 'four pieces of toast'.
92
8.Everyone of us should realize that (a)/ any act of negligence can cause (b)/ a great harm to our country security. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (PT) 2015]
9.(c) To show possession or relation, an apostrophe + s is required. Therefore, country security should be 'country's security'.
93
9.Bobby learnt the (a)/ alphabets at the (b)/ age of two. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (PT) 2015]
10.(b) 'Alphabet' means a set of letters of a language. Therefore, 'alphabets' should be 'alphabet'
94
11. An ancients considered (a)/ that knowledge (b)/ had its limits. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2015]
11.(a) 'An ancients' should be 'ancient people'.
95
12. The luxuries of the riches (a)/ are maintained by depriving (b)/ the poor of their dues. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2015]
12.(a) 'The riches 'means 'wealth'. 'The rich' means 'all rich people'. 'The riches' should be 'the rich'
96
13.The man (a)/ was driving (b)/ herds of cattle. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (PT) 2014]
13.(c) 'Herds of cattle' should be 'a herd of cattle'.
97
14. There is (a)/ some sheep (b)/ in the field. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (PT) 2014]
14.(a) 'Some sheep' refer to more than 'one sheep'. Because the real subject some sheep is in the plural, 'there is' should be 'there are'.
98
14.A five-men (a)/ enquiry committee was appointed (b)/ to look into the matter. (c)/ No error (d)
15.(a) 'A five-men committee' should be a five-man committee.
99
16. Shakespeare has written (a)/ many plays (b)/ as well as some poetries. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2014]
16.(c) 'poetries' should be 'poems'.
100
17.In India (a)/ there are (b)/ many poors. (c)/ No error (c) [LDC 2014]
17.(c) 'Many poors' should be 'many poor people'.
101
18.In these days of inflation (a)/ a ten-rupees note will not buy you (b)/ even an ordinary meal. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2014]
18.(b) 'A ten-rupees note' should be a tenrupee note.
102
19.Raja Rammohan Roy was greatly pained (a)/ when he heard the cries of widows (b)/ being burnt on their husband's pyres. (c)/ No error (d) [Stenographer 2014]
19.(c) 'Husband's pyres' should be 'husbands' pyres'. The word widows' requires 'husbands'. Therefore, to show possession or relation, husband's pyres should be husbands' pyres.
103
20.Jewellery retailers across India decided (a)/ to suspend sold (b)/ of gold coins and bars for six months. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2014]
20.(b) 'Sold' should be 'sale'. A noun generally functions as the subject, object or complement of a verb. 'Sold' is a verb and 'sale' is a noun.
104
21.It has been said (a)/ that history is the essence (b)/ of innumerable biography. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2014]
21.(c) 'Innumerable' should be followed by a plural noun. Therefore 'innumerable biography', should be 'innumerable biographies'.
105
22.Reading is no longer popular among the youthful of today (a)/ as the influence of the internet (b)/ has taken over a very important and active hobby. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2014]
22.(a) Normally, a noun functions as the object of a preposition. Therefore, 'among the youthful' should be 'among the youth'.
106
23.Our office buys (a)/ five kilograms of paper (b)/ every month. (c)/ No error (d) [MT 2013]
23.(b) We usually use 'reams' not kilos with paper.
107
24.The management (a)/ appreciated and encouraged the employees (b)/ on their achieving of the target. (c)/ No error (d) [MT 2013]
24.(c) 'On their achieving' should be 'on their achievement'.
108
25.Please arrange (a)/ for my boarding and lodging (b)/ in Tirupati. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL (TIER-II) 2012]
25.(b) 'Boarding and Lodging' should be 'board and lodging'.
109
26.Two millions people (a)/ attended the meeting (b)/ held in parade grounds. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-II 2012]
26.(a) When numeral quantitatives follow a definite number, they are in the singular. Therefore, 'millions' should be 'million'.
110
27.Due to (a)/ a misunderstanding (b)/ I did not meet him. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2012]
27.(b) 'A misunderstanding' should be 'misunderstanding'.
111
28.Speakers after speakers (a)/ came on the stage (b)/ to perform. (c)/ No error (d) [LDC 2012]
28.(a) In the construction, noun + preposition + noun, the noun is always in the singular. The 'speakers after speakers' should be 'speaker after speaker'.
112
29. Children enjoy listening to (a)/ ghosts stories (b)/ especially on Halloween night. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-I 2011]
29.(b) The first element of a compound noun is generally singular. Therefore, 'ghosts stories' should be 'ghost stories'.
113
29.There are so many filths (a)/ all around (b)/ the place. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-I 2011]
30.(a) Because 'filth' is an uncountable noun, filths should be filth.
114
31. We are going to launch (a)/ this three-crores project (b)/ within the next five months. (c)/ No error (d) [CGL TIER-I 2011]
31.(b) This three-crores projects should be this three-crore project, a hyphenated noun is singular in form.
115
31.In the back side (a)/ of our house (b)/ we have a rock garden. (c)/ No error (d) [CPO (Main) 2011]
32.(a) 'Backside' is a slang. 'Back' should be used to refer to the rear part of a house.
116
32.Though the project is in its infancy (a)/ it is a progress (b)/ by the day. (c)/ No error (d) [SSC (Main) 2010]
"33.(b) 'progress' is an abstract idea and thus an uncountable noun. Therefore, the indefinite article 'a' can't proceed progress. ""It is a progress"" should be 'it is progress'."
117
33.My sister (a)/ has read (b)/ pages after pages of the Bible. (c)/ No error (d)
34. (c) Pages after pages should be page after page. In the construction, Noun+ Preposition + Noun, both the nouns are singular.
118
1.His speech was (a)/ judged by many (b)/ as one of the most important (c)/ speech given in the function. (d)/ No error (e) [PO 1997]
1.(c) 'One of' is followed by a plural noun. Therefore, 'speech' should be speeches.
119
2.One of my good quality (a)/ is that i don't (b)/ take things like (c)/ this very seriously. (d)/ No error (e) [PO 1999]
2.(a) 'One of my good quality' should be 'one of my good qualities'.
120
3.All of you have the liberty (a)/ to come home (b)/ as per the convenient (c)/ and discuss the problems. (d)/ No error (e) [IBPS PO 2002]
3.(c) 'As per' should be followed by a noun phrase, not an adjective phrase. Therefore, 'convenient' should be 'convenience'.
121
4.The flock of cows (a)/ roamed about (b)/ fearlessly in (c)/ the jungle. (d)/ No error (e) [Allahabad Bank Agriculture Officer 2005]
4.(a) To refer to a group of cows, we use 'a herd', 'the flock of cows' should be 'the herd of'.
122
5. After her retiring (a)/ she established many (b)/ institutions to train (c)/ underprivileged but talented children. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank P.O. 2007]
5.(a) As the object of a preposition, the noun form is used. 'After her retiring' should be 'after her retirement'.
123
5.Since the online education system (a)/ has been poorly designed there (b)/ are notmany institute (c)/ that offer this facility. (d)/ No error (e) [Allahabad Bank PO 2007]
6.(c) 'Many' is followed by a plural noun. 'Many institute' should be 'many institutes'.
124
6.The company has announced (a)/ a bonus for all (b)/ employee who (c)/ achieve their sales targets. (d)/ No error (e) [Allahabad Bank P.O. 2007]
7.(c) 'All' should be followed by a plural countable noun. 'All employee' should be 'all employees'.
125
7.The manager has (a)/ confidence in the engineer (b)/ ability to (c)/ design the new software. (d)/ No error (e) [Allahabad Bank P.O. 2007]
8.(b) To show possession or relation, an apostrophe + s is required. 'engineer' should be 'engineer's'.
126
8.We are still (a)/ waiting for the (b)/ committee decision about (c)/ the pension plan. (d)/ No error (e) [UBI PO 2007]
9.(b) 'Committee decision' should be 'committee's decision'.
127
9.Mr. Patil has approached (a)/ the bank (b)/ for a loan to finance (c)/ his son college education. (d)/ No error (e) [Andhra Bank PO 2007]
10.(d) 'His son college education' should be 'his son's college education'.
128
10.If we have to be (a)/ competitive we must be (b)/ ready to face (c)/ various technical challenge. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of Maharashtra PO 2007]
11.(d) 'Various' should be followed by a plural noun. Therefore, it should be various technical challenges.
129
11.On a number of occasions (a)/ we had noticed that (b)/ those two employees (c)/ were often in state of confused. (d)/ No error (e) [Vijaya Bank PO 2008]
12.(d) 'In state of confused' should be 'in a state of confusion'.
130
12.These protests are because (a)/ of the government plans to (b)/ raise the retirement age (c)/ of public sector employees. (d)/ No error (e) [NABARD 2008]
13.(b) 'government plans' should be 'government's plans'.
131
13.Since the US economy experiences (a)/ a recession many Asian countries (b)/ are likely to have (c)/ reduced growth rates this year. (d)/ No error (e) [Union Bank of India PO 2008]
14.(d) 'Growth rates' should be 'growth rate'.
132
14.All accounts enjoying (a)/ fund-based working capital limits of Rs. 10 lakhs and above (b)/ should be reviewed (c)/ at least once a year. (d)/ No error (e) [IDBI 2008]
15.(b) 'Limits' should be 'Limit'.
133
15.These rules were created (a)/ to protect the interest of the student (b)/ who live away from home (c)/ and have no local guardian. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of India PO 2008]
16.(b) 'Student' should be 'students'.
134
16.The government decision (a)/ will benefit all (b)/ the software companies registered (c)/ under the scheme. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of India PO 2008]
17.(a) 'Government decision' should be 'Government's decision'.
135
17.The finance Minister view (a)/ is that the scheme will ensure (b)/ that millions of farmers will be (c)/ lifted out of poverty. (d)/ no error (e) [Dena Bank PO 2008]
18.(a) 'The finance minister view' should be 'the finance minister's view'.
136
18.Unless the new laws (a)/ to protect the environment (b)/ are enforced pollution (c)/ will reach dangerous levels. (d)/ No error (e) [Dena Bank PO 2008]
19.(d) 'Levels' should be level.
137
19.This state unemployment rate is (a)/ the highest in the nation (b)/ as many manufacturing units have (c)/ closed down in the last decade. (d)/ No error (e) [Dena Bank PO 2008]
20.(a) 'state' should be state's
138
20.The government has spent (a)/ several crores of rupees on (b)/ transforming the city before (c)/ the Olympic games commencement next year. (d)/ No error (e) [Dena Bank PO 2008]
21.(d) 'The Olympic Games commencement' should be' the commencement of the Olympic Games'.
139
21.Some of the world (a)/ largest water bodies are (b)/ drying up thus threatening (c)/ the livelihoods of millions. (d)/ No error (e)
22.(a) 'Some of the world' should be 'some of the world's
140
23. Without hesitation he withdrew (a)/ his entire life saving from (b)/ the bank and invested (c)/ them in his son new business venture. (d)/ No error (e) [Allahabad Bank PO 2008]
23.(d) 'His son new business' should be 'his son's new business'.
141
24.Building biogas plants will help to reduce (a)/ greenhouse gas emissions by reducing (b)/ the consuming of conventional fuels (c)/ such as firewood and kerosene. (d)/ No error (e) [Syndicate Bank PO 2010]
24.(c) The noun form of the verb consume is required. 'Consuming' should be 'Consumption'.
142
25.With the literacy rates in this (a)/ region as low as ten percent (b)/ we need to encourage (c)/ local people to build schools. (d)/ No error (e)
25.(a) 'Literary rates' should be 'Literacy rate'.
143
26.The company's decision to issue (a)/ bonus shares clearly indicates (b)/ the management's confident (c)/ about the future. (d)/ No error (e) [PO 2010]
26.(c) 'Confident' should be 'Confidence'.
144
27.Their failure to inspect (a)/ our factories is a (b)/ clear indications that our (c)/ license will not be renewed. (d)/ No error (e) [Indian Bank PO 2010]
27.(c) 'Clear indications' should be 'clear indication'.
145
28.Many more would have died (a)/ if they hadn't received (b)/ the timely helping from (c)/ the relief team. (d)/ No error (e) [IDBI PO 2009]
28.(c) 'Timely helping' should be 'timely help'.
146
29.Certain amounts of stress (a)/ at work is natural but (b)/ it is important that one learns (c)/ to keep it in the right proportion. (d)/ No error (e) [IDBI PO 2009]
29.(a) 'Certain amounts of stress' should be 'A certain amount of stress'.
147
30.Having been found (a)/ guilty of the theft (b)/ Sunny was sentenced (c)/ to five year's imprisonment. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank PO 2009]
30.(d) 'Five year's imprisonment' should be five years' imprisonment. A plural noun takes an apostrophe only.
148
31.Without a doubt (a)/ Ahmad is the most (b)/ sincere of all the student (c)/ in the class. (d)/ No error (e) [New India Insurance Co. Ltd. 2009]
31.(c) 'All' is followed by a plural countable noun. 'All the student' should be 'all the students'.
149
32. None of the student (a)/ in the class (b)/ scored below the (c)/ given cut-off marks. (d)/ No error (e) [UBI PO 2009]
32.(a) 'None of ' should be followed by a plural noun. Therefore 'None of' the student' should be 'none of the students'.
150
32.Selling peanuts (a)/ on the road is (b)/ the only means of earning (c)/ in respect of most of the people. (d)/ No error (e) [NABARD 2009]
33.(a) 'Peanuts' should be 'peanut'. 'Peanut' is an uncountable noun.
151
34. Yogesh knew the (a)/ value of obedient too well (b)/ not to anticipate some (c)/ censure of his act. (d)/ No error (d) [EPFO 2009]
34.(b) 'Value of obedient' should be 'value of obedience'.
152
34.He has become (a)/ so weak that even (b)/ a two furlongs (c)/ walk makes him breathless. (d)/ No error (e) [MAT 1997]
35.(c) A noun used as an adjective is in the singular, 'furlongs' should be 'furlong'.
153
35.He was wearing (a)/ faded trouser (b)/ which he explained, were killer jeans (c)/ and cost him much. (d)/ No error (e)
36. (b) 'Trouser' should be 'trousers'.
154
1.Their faithful is beyond (a)/ any doubt but their (b)/ decision making is slow (c)/ and not free from defaults. (d)/ No error (e) [Clerk 2000]
1.(a) A Possessive determiner requires a noun after it. 'Faithful' should be faith.
155
2.Your over-dependent on (a)/ others even for (b)/ trivial matters may (c)/ prove disadvantageous. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank Clerk 2004]
2.(a) 'Over-dependent' should be 'overdependence'. A noun phrase usually functions as the subject of a sentence.
156
3.A small loaf of bread (a)/ given with affection (b)/ is far superior to (c)/ a delicious dish served with indifferently. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank Clerk 2009]
3.(d) As the object of a preposition is normally a noun phrase, 'indifferent' should be 'indifference'.
157
4.Alaripu is an invocatory item (a)/ where the dancer (b)/ offers salute (c)/ to the lord. (d)/ No error (e) [Andhra Bank clerk 2007]
4.(c) 'Salute' should be 'salutation'.
158
5.A few word of (a)/ gratitude are enough (b)/ to express your (c)/ feeling sincerely (d)/ No error (e) [PNB Clerk 2007]
5.(a) A few is followed by a plural noun. 'A few word' should be 'a few words'.
159
6.In his opinion (a)/ every senior citizens (b)/ will benefit (c)/ from the new rule. (d)/ No error (e) [Dena Bank Clerk 2007]
6.(d) 'Every senior citizens' should be 'every senior citizen'.
160
7.Despite the progress (a)/ we have achieved in (b)/ the field of medicine many (c)/ million of people die of malaria. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of Maharashtra Clerk 2008]
7.(d) 'Million of people' should be 'millions of people'. When numeral quantitatives follow an indefinite number, they are in the plural.
161
8.We informed customers (a)/ that there will be (b)/ no interrupting in (c)/ our bank services tomorrow. (d)/ No error (e) [OBC Clerk 2009]
8.(c) 'Interrupting' should be 'interruption'.
162
9. Many of our staff (a)/ had the opportunity (b)/ to go to Pune (c)/ for training last year. (d)/ No error (e) [IOB Bank 2009]
9.(a) 'Many of our staff' should be 'many of our staff members'.
163
9.In order to impart (a)/ training to bank employees (b)/ we are setting up (c)/centres at various location. (d)/ No error (e) [Punjab National Bank Clerk 2009]
10.(d) 'Various location' should be 'various locations'.
164
10.According to the terms (a)/ of the agreement we have to (b)/ pay five percent commissions (c)/ to the travel agent. (d)/ No error (e) [Central Bank of India Clerk 2009]
11.(c) 'Five percent commissions' should be 'Five percent commission'. Percent is followed by a singular noun.
165
11.In my visiting (a)/ to the country (b)/ I decided to go (c)/ on a tour all by myself. (d)/ No error (e) [United Bank of India Clerk 2009]
12.(a) 'In my visting' should be 'in my visit'.
166
12.The building developers have (a)/ promised a customers (b)/ that the construction will be (c)/ completed as soon as possible. (d)/ No error (e) [SBI Clerk 2012]
13.(b) A plural noun can't be preceded by the indefinite article 'a'. 'a customers' should be 'customers'.
167
13.On reaching the (a)/ lake, the leader realised (b)/ that two elephant from (c)/ his herd were missing. (d)/ No error (e) [SBI Clerk 2012]
14.(c) The number 'two' should be followed by a plural noun. 'Two elephant' should be 'Two elephants'.
168
14.In times of crisis (a)/ the Bhagavad Gita gives light (b)/ and guide to the mind tortured by doubts (c)/ and torn by conflict of duties. (d)/ No error (e) [SBI Clerk 2011]
15.(c) 'Guide' should be 'guidance'.
169
15.Deplete of the Ozone layer (a)/ and the greenhouse effect (b)/ are two long-time effects (c)/ of air pollution. (d)/ No error (e) [SBI Clerk 2011]
16.(a) 'Deplete' should be 'depletion'.
170
16.To increase the selling (a)/ of products in rural areas (b)/ the company will hire (c)/ over five hundred trainees. (d)/ No error (e) [IBPS Clerk 2011]
17.(a) 'Selling' should be 'sale'.
171
17.She has promised to (a)/ donate the funds to (b)/ establish a library in many (c)/ villages in India. (d)/ No error (d) [IBPS Clerk 2011]
18.(e) 'A library' should be 'libraries'.
172
19. Daily prayer and meditation (a)/ is the keys (b)/ to a peaceful (c)/ and happy life. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank Clerk 2011]
19.(b) 'keys' should be 'key'.
173
21.Mother and I (a)/ generally go to the store (b)/ and pick up food items (c)/ for the charitable. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank Clerk (2011)]
20.(d) 'Charitable' should be 'charity'.
174
21. By the times (a)/ we reached the classroom (b)/ the lecture had (c)/ already begun. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of India Clerk 2011]
21.(a) 'By the times' should be 'by the time'.
175
22.The devastating experiences (a)/ of many wars taught some countries (b)/ the necessary of pursuing peace (c)/ at the expense of nationalist egos. (d)/ No error (e) [Punjab and Sind Bank Clerk 2011]
22.(c) 'Necessary' should be 'necessity'.
176
23.Nina had applied (a)/ for a loans for (b)/ post graduate studies but (c)/ it was not sanctioned. (d)/ No error (e) [United Bank of India 2010]
23.(b) 'A loans' should be 'a loan'.
177
24. The customers were asked to (a)/ give their feedback after (b)/ using the try pack of the (c)/ new detergent powder (d)/ No error (e) [United Bank of India 2010]
24.(c) 'Try pack' should be 'trial pack'.
178
24.The view of (a)/ the manufacturing and (b)/ tourist industries is that (c)/ the economy is improving. (d)/ No error (e) [Oriental Bank of Commerce Clerk 2011]
25.(c) 'Tourist industries' should be 'tourism industries'.
179
25.There was a huge (a)/ crowded in front (b)/ of the actor's (c)/ house on his birthday. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of India Clerk 2010]
26.(b) 'Crowded' should be 'crowd'.
180
27. She always remembers (a)/ to switch off all the (b)/ lights and fans before (c)/ leaving a rooms. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of India Clerk 2010]
27.(d) 'A rooms' should be 'a room'.
181
28.In spite of the (a) heavy raining Raj (b)/ decided to go (c)/ for meeting. (d)/ No error (e) [BOI Clerk 2010]
28.(b) 'Heavy raining' should be 'heavy rain'.
182
29. Ragi may not taste (a)/ good but it has (b)/ very high (c)/ nutritive value. (d)/ No error (e) [BOI Clerk 2010]
29.(c) Because a singular countable noun requires a/an, 'very high nutritive value' will follow 'a'.
183
29.The comedian enthralled (a)/ with his quick witty as (b)/ he had chosen just the right topic (c)/ to warm up to the crowd. (d)/ No error (e
30.(b) 'quick witty' should be 'quick wits'.
184
31. While I am (a)/ doing the houseworks (b)/ i like to listen to (c)/ music on the radio. (d)/ No error (e) [Indian Bank Clerk 2010]
31.(b) 'Housework' is an uncountable noun. 'Houseworks' should be 'housework'.
185
33.In his speech (a)/ the finance minister stated (b)/ that the new tax law will be (c)/ applicable from April 1, 2010. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank of Baroda Clerk 2010]
32.(c) 'law' should be 'laws'.
186
34.After retiring she spent (a)/ most of her time (b)/ teaching young doctors and motivating them (c)/ to work in rural areas. (d)/ No error (e) [Vijaya Bank Clerk 2010]
33.(a) 'Retiring' should be 'retirement'.
187
35.Many peoples were (a)/ brought to safety (b)/ by the army helicopters (c)/ from the flood hit area. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank Clerk 2009]
34.(a) 'Peoples', should be 'people'. 'People' looks singular but is in fact a plural noun. The Plural of Person is People.
188
36.The talk ended (a)/ abruptly when one of (b)/ the delegate walked (c)/ out in the protest. (d)/ No error (e) [Corporation Bank Clerk 2009]
35.(c) 'One of' is followed by a plural noun. Therefore, 'delegate' should be 'delegates'.
189
37.A large number of policy (a)/ have lapsed because many (b)/ people have not paid (c)/ their instalments on time. (d)/ No error (e) [Bank Clerk 2009]
36.(a) 'A large number' is followed by a plural noun. 'A large number of policy, should be 'a large number of policies'.
190
38.To provide more such facility (a)/ to its workers, the company (b)/ is planning to build (c)/ schools and parks in the township. (d)/ No error (e)
37.(a) 'More such' should be followed by a plural noun. 'Facility' should be 'Facilities'.
191
39.Men (a)/ proposes, (b)/ but God (c)/ disposes. (d)/ No error (e) [RLY 1997]
38.(a) 'Men' should be 'man'. The proverb is 'man proposes, God disposes'.
192
39. This is (a)/ our attitudes (b)/ towards (c)/ Ahimsa and Truth. (d)/ No error (e) [RLY 1997]
39.(b) 'This' requires either a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun. 'Attitudes' should be 'attitude'.
193
40. He is (a)/ a mansion (b)/ who (c)/ built my house. (d)/ No error (e)
40. (b) 'Mansion' should be 'mason'. a 'mansion' is a building; a mason is one who carves in stone.
