Error Recognition Flashcards

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: worse

The word 'worse' is a comparative adjective, used when comparing two things (e.g., 'this is worse than that'). If the sentence intends to describe the most negative degree of something without a direct comparison, the superlative form 'worst' should be used. Alternatively, if it's describing a general negative state, 'bad' would be appropriate.

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: delayed to buy

The phrase 'delayed to buy' is grammatically incorrect. The verb 'delay' should be followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb), not an infinitive (to + verb). Therefore, the correct phrasing should be 'delayed buying' to indicate the action that was postponed.

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: will might

The phrase 'will might' is grammatically incorrect because it uses two modal verbs ('will' and 'might') consecutively. English grammar does not allow for two modal verbs to be used together in this way. One of the modal verbs should be chosen, or the sentence needs to be rephrased to convey the intended meaning using only one modal verb or an alternative construction.

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: is phasing

The phrase 'is phasing' is incomplete and grammatically incorrect in most contexts. 'Phase' is typically used as part of a phrasal verb, such as 'phase out' (to gradually stop using something) or 'phase in' (to gradually introduce something). Without the necessary preposition, the meaning is unclear and the verb construction is incomplete.

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: a little

The phrase 'a little' is used to quantify uncountable nouns (e.g., 'a little water,' 'a little time'). If the sentence refers to countable nouns, the correct quantifier would be 'a few' (e.g., 'a few fires,' 'a few problems'). Without the full sentence, it's presumed that 'a little' is incorrectly used with a countable noun in this context.

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: drastically

The word 'drastically' is an adverb, which modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. If the word is intended to modify a noun directly, it should be the adjective form, 'drastic.' For example, one would say 'a drastic change' (adjective modifying noun) rather than 'a drastically change.' Without the full sentence, it's assumed 'drastically' is incorrectly used where an adjective is required.

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

Answer: deals on

The phrase 'deals on' is an incorrect prepositional usage. The correct phrasal verb to express handling or addressing a topic, problem, or situation is 'deal with.' If the context refers to trading or selling something, the correct phrasal verb would be 'deal in.'