STEP Error Identification 2

Question 1

Identify the error: 'He is more taller than his brother.'

Accepted Answer

'more taller' should be 'taller' — don't use 'more' with -er comparatives

Answer

Double comparative error: 'taller' already contains the comparative suffix '-er,' so adding 'more' is redundant and incorrect. Use either 'more + adjective' (for longer words) OR 'adjective + -er' (for shorter words), never both.

Question 2

What is wrong with: 'Everyone should bring their own lunch. They has to be responsible.'

Accepted Answer

'They has' should be 'They have' — 'they' takes a plural verb

Answer

'They' is a plural pronoun and requires a plural verb: 'They have.' Even when 'they' is used as a singular pronoun (referring to 'everyone'), the verb form remains 'have,' not 'has.'

Question 3

Find the mistake: 'I am agree with your opinion.'

Accepted Answer

'am agree' should be 'agree' — 'agree' is not used with 'am/is/are' in simple present

Answer

'Agree' is a verb, not an adjective, so it doesn't use 'am/is/are.' Correct: 'I agree with your opinion.' Compare with adjectives that do use 'be': 'I am happy,' 'I am sure.' This error often occurs in learners whose first language uses 'be' + verb.

Question 4

Identify the error: 'I look forward to hear from you soon.'

Accepted Answer

'to hear' should be 'to hearing' — 'look forward to' requires a gerund

Answer

In 'look forward to,' the 'to' is a preposition (not part of an infinitive), so it must be followed by a gerund: 'look forward to hearing from you.' This is one of the most common errors because 'to' is usually followed by a base verb.

Question 5

What is wrong: 'Neither the students nor the teacher were prepared for the test.'

Accepted Answer

With 'neither...nor,' the verb should agree with the nearest subject: 'teacher' is singular, so 'was' is correct

Answer

With 'neither...nor' and 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject. 'Teacher' (singular) is nearest to the verb, so 'was' is correct: 'Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared.' If reversed: 'Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared.'

STEP Practice Test

STEP Practice Test

STEP Error Identification 2