కాంపిటీటివ్‌ గైడెన్స్‌
 General English
 
 Getting qualified in the prelims, especially in English is as sure as anything. The candidates are expected to have comprehensive knowledge in the following areas of study.
 •    Spotting Errors    n  Fill in the blanks
 •    Cloze Test    n  Para-Jumbles
 •  Reading comprehension
 
 Spotting Errors
 
 As far as spotting errors are concerned the candidates are advised to undergo careful, constructive and comprehensive preparation. This is one of the areas where a wide range of questions can be expected. This is also one of the areas where some unforeseen questions may also appear. This question tests student's knowledge of grammar and structure. The candidates are supposed to have in-depth knowledge of basics of English grammar.
 
 Errors are of many, however, we should focus on the following
 1.    Noun - Number
 2.    Reflexive Pronouns - Relative Pronouns
 3.    Concord (Subject-Verb Agreement)
 4.    Adjectives often confused
 5.    Correlative Conjunctions
 6.    Parallel Structure
 
 1. Noun-Number
 
 Look at the following Examples :
 •    The equipment (1)/ of the photographic studio (2)/ were (3)/ expensive. (4) / No error (5)  (Incorrect)
 The equipment (1)/ of the photographic studio (2)/ was (3)/ expensive. (4) / No error (5)  (Correct)
 •    The singer was wearing (1) / a leather suit (2) / and heavy gold jewelleries (3) / for the interview. (4) / No error (5) (Incorrect)
 The singer was wearing (1) / a leather suit (2) / and heavy gold jewellery (3) / for the interview. (4) / No error (5) (Correct)
 Note: The nouns scenery, information, furniture, advice, news, equipment, jewellery machinery, stationery are always used in singular form only. They are not used with 'a' or 'an' and have no plural forms.
 
 Check the following examples
 •    This cattle has (1)/ been in trouble (2)/ ever since (3)/ the famine. (4)/ No error (5)    
 (Incorrect)
 These cattle have (1) / been in trouble (2)/ ever since (3)/ the famine. (4) / No error (5)    (Correct).
 •    The rural gentry (1)/ is strong fighters (2)/ who will (3)/resist change. (4)/ No error (5) (Incorrect)
 The rural gentry (1)/ are strong fighters (2)/ who will (3)/ resist change. (4)/ No error (5) (Correct)
 Note: Certain collective nouns though in singular form are used only in the plural form.
 
 Observe the following examples:
 •   The committee have (1)/ decided (2) / to close (3)/ the restaurant. (4)/ No error (5) (Incorrect)
 The committee has (1)/ decided (2)/ to close (3)/ the restaurant. (4) / No error (5) (Correct)
 •    The committee is (1) /divided (2)/ in (3)/ their opinion. (4) / No error (5) (Incorrect)
 The committee are (1)/ divided (2)/ in  (3)/ their opinion. (4) / No error (5)  (Correct)
 Note :The collective nouns jury, team, family, committee are used both as singular and plural in the same form. They take a singular verb when we regard them as a unit.
 The same words take a plural verb when they refer to individuals.
 
 2. Reflexive and Relative Pronouns
 
 Examples: He describes himself as a socialist.
 The city defended itself from attack
 Note : A reflexive pronoun is used when the object and subject of a verb refer to the same person or thing. Verbs like enjoy, avail, pride, acquit, comport, conduct, absent, resign, apply, assert are always followed by reflexive pronouns.
 •  I don't think (1)/ that she is (2)/ enjoying (3)/ very much at school. (4)/ No error (5)  (Incorrect)
 I don't think (1)/ that she is (2)/ enjoying / herself (3) / very much at school. (4) / No error (5) (Correct)
 
 Relative Pronouns
 •    Examples: Uneasiness lies (1)/ the head (2) / who (3)/ wears a crown. (4)/ No error (5) (Incorrect)
 Uneasiness lies (1) the head (2) / that (3)/ wears a crown. (4)/ No error (5) (Correct).
 •   They never fail (1) / that (2)/ die in a (3)/ great cause. (4)/ No error (5) (Incorrect)
 They never fail (1) / who (2)/ die in a (3)/ great cause. (4)/ No error (5) (Correct)
 •    The sun, which (1)/ rays give life (2)/ to the earth, (3)/ is regarded by some people as a god. (4)/ No error(5) (Incorrect)
 The sun, whose (1) / rays give life (2)/ to the earth, (3)/ is regarded by some people as a god. (4) No error (5) (Correct)
 •   The horse (1) / that (2) / I recently bought (3)/is an Arab (4) / No error (5) (Incorrect) The horse (1) / which (2) / I recently bought (3) / is an Arab. (4) / No error (5) (Correct). A pronoun which relates to some noun going before it is called a Relative Pronoun.
 
 - R. Srinivasa Rao
 Subject Expert