STEP Error Identification

Question 1

Identify the error: 'The number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia have increased significantly.'

Accepted Answer

'have' should be 'has' — 'the number of' is singular

Answer

'The number of' takes a singular verb ('has'), while 'a number of' takes a plural verb. 'The number of tourists... has increased' is correct because we are talking about the number itself (singular), not the tourists themselves.

Question 2

Find the mistake: 'She suggested me to apply for the scholarship.'

Accepted Answer

'suggested me to apply' should be 'suggested that I apply' — 'suggest' doesn't take object + infinitive

Answer

'Suggest' follows the pattern: suggest + that + subject + base verb. 'She suggested that I apply' is correct. 'Suggest' cannot be followed by object + infinitive (unlike 'advise,' 'tell,' or 'ask'). This is a common error for non-native speakers.

Question 3

What is wrong with: 'Despite of the rain, we went to the park.'

Accepted Answer

'Despite of' should be 'Despite' — 'despite' is not followed by 'of'

Answer

'Despite' is a preposition that directly precedes its object without 'of': 'Despite the rain.' 'In spite of' (three words with 'of') is the alternative: 'In spite of the rain.' Mixing these produces the error 'despite of.'

Question 4

Identify the error: 'I have been living in Jeddah since three years.'

Accepted Answer

'since' should be 'for' — 'since' is for specific points in time, 'for' is for durations

Answer

'Since' is used with specific points in time (since 2023, since Monday). 'For' is used with durations (for three years, for two months). 'I have been living in Jeddah for three years' is correct.

Question 5

What is the error: 'Me and my friend went to the library.'

Accepted Answer

'Me' should be 'My friend and I' — subject pronouns are needed, and it's polite to put yourself last

Answer

'Me' is an object pronoun; 'I' is the subject pronoun needed here (subject of 'went'). Also, English convention puts 'I' last: 'My friend and I went.' Test by removing the other person: 'I went to the library' (not 'Me went').

STEP Practice Test

STEP Practice Test

STEP Error Identification