PET Error Identification & Correction 5

Question 1

Find the error: 'She was very exhausted after the marathon that she couldn't speak.'

Accepted Answer

She was very exhausted

Answer

With result clauses using 'that', use 'so…that' (not 'very…that'): 'She was so exhausted that…'

Question 2

Which sentence contains an incorrect comparative form?

Accepted Answer

He is the most tallest player on the team.

Answer

'Most tallest' is a double superlative; the correct form is simply 'the tallest'.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

to hear

Answer

After 'look forward to', use a gerund: 'to hearing from you'.

Question 4

Find the error: 'He explained me the rules of the game slowly.'

Accepted Answer

He explained me

Answer

'Explain' does not take an indirect object without a preposition; it should be 'explained the rules to me'.

Question 5

Which sentence has a conditional tense error?

Accepted Answer

If he would work harder, he would succeed.

Answer

In a second conditional, the 'if' clause uses the past simple, not 'would': 'If he worked harder…'

(PET) Preliminary English Test Practice Test