Error Spotting — Catch the Grammar Slip
Learn to find the one faulty part in SSC-CGL error-spotting sentences using a proofreader's method, a table of common error zones and worked examples.
By the PadhoDost Team · 📖 6 min read · Updated 4 August 2026
Part of SSC CGL & Banking prep🧠 The proofreader's eye
Error spotting is like being the final proofreader before a book goes to print. The sentence is split into pieces and handed to you; somewhere one piece has a grammar slip. You don't rewrite anything — you simply point to the faulty piece, exactly like circling a typo with a red pen.
How the question looks
A sentence is divided into parts labelled (a), (b), (c), with a final option 'No error'. Usually exactly one part contains a grammatical mistake and you must select it. If everything is correct, the answer is 'No error' — a genuine option, so never rule it out.
Common error zones
| Error type | Wrong → Right |
|---|---|
| Subject–verb agreement | He don't know → He doesn't know |
| Tense | I have seen him yesterday → I saw him yesterday |
| Preposition | Good in maths → Good at maths |
| Article | A honest man → An honest man |
| Pronoun | Each girl did their work → her work |
| Adjective/Adverb | She sings very good → She sings very well |
A reliable method
- 1Read the full sentence once for overall sense.
- 2Locate the subject and its main verb — check they agree in number.
- 3Scan prepositions, articles and pronouns against the nouns they belong to.
- 4Confirm the tense matches any time words (yesterday, since, already).
- 5If nothing is wrong after all checks, confidently choose 'No error'.
📝 Spot the error
One of the boys (a) / have broken (b) / the window (c) / No error (d)
The real subject is 'One' (singular); 'of the boys' merely describes it.
A singular subject needs a singular verb: 'has broken', not 'have broken'.
The error lies in part (b).
📝 A preposition slip
Rohan is very good (a) / in mathematics (b) / and science (c) / No error (d)
We are always 'good AT' a subject or skill, never 'good in'.
The correct phrase is 'good at mathematics'.
The error lies in part (b).
Golden rules
- ✓'One of / Each of / Every' → singular verb.
- ✓'The number of' → singular; 'A number of' → plural.
- ✓Learn fixed prepositions: good at, married to, angry with, differ from.
- ✓Use 'an' before vowel SOUNDS (an hour, an MP); 'a' before consonant sounds (a university).
- ✓'No error' is a real answer — pick it when every check passes.
⚡ Quick check
Find the error: 'The number of students (a) / in the class are (b) / increasing every year (c) / No error (d)'
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