Practice Test: English Grammar – Error Spotting for IBPS PO

Error spotting is a high-value area in the IBPS PO English section. It tests subject–verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, pronouns and sentence structure. A careful reading method can help candidates identify the incorrect part quickly without losing marks under time pressure.

This practice material is also useful for learners in Australia preparing for Indian banking examinations while studying or working in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Australian spelling and daily communication may differ slightly from Indian exam conventions, so regular exposure to standard competitive-exam grammar is important.

Grammar area Common error pattern Correct approach
Subject–verb agreement Each candidate have a form Match the verb with the singular subject
Prepositions Senior than the officer Use established combinations such as senior to
Tenses If I would have known Use had known in a third conditional
Conjunctions No sooner…when Use no sooner…than
Modifiers Along with the files were sent Keep the main subject in control

How To Approach Error Spotting

Read the complete sentence once before examining the separate parts. Many errors become clear only when the sentence’s meaning and time reference are understood. Identify the subject first, then check the verb, tense, article, preposition and conjunction.

In an IBPS PO paper, the incorrect segment may be subtle. Words such as each, every, neither, either, along with and as well as frequently distract candidates. The verb generally agrees with the main subject, not with a nearby plural noun.

Australian candidates can apply the same method to everyday written English, whether reading a workplace email in Melbourne, a notice on a Sydney train, or a banking advertisement in Brisbane. Formal exam grammar remains more rule-bound than casual conversation.

Practice Questions For Timed Revision

Set a timer for six minutes and identify the part containing the error. If all parts are correct, select “No error”. Avoid checking explanations until every sentence has been attempted.

  1. (A) Neither the manager nor the officers (B) is willing to approve (C) the revised loan policy (D) before Friday. (E) No error.

  2. (A) Each of the applicants (B) have submitted the required certificate (C) along with two photographs (D) and an identity document. (E) No error.

  3. (A) The report, along with its supporting documents, (B) were submitted to the regional office (C) before the final review meeting (D) began on Monday. (E) No error.

  4. (A) If I would have known about the change (B) in the examination schedule, (C) I would have informed the other candidates (D) immediately. (E) No error.

  5. (A) The new assistant is senior than (B) several employees who joined (C) the institution last year (D). (E) No error.

  6. (A) No sooner did the train arrive (B) when the passengers began moving (C) towards the nearest exit (D). (E) No error.

Candidates should record both the selected option and the corrected sentence. This extra step builds accuracy because recognising an error and explaining it are separate skills. It also prevents guessing based only on how a sentence sounds.

Answers And Grammar Explanations

The answers are 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-A, 5-A and 6-B. In sentence one, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, officers, so the correct form is: “Neither the manager nor the officers are willing…”

Sentence two requires has because each is singular: “Each of the applicants has submitted…” In sentence three, the main subject is report, not documents. The corrected form is “The report, along with its supporting documents, was submitted…”

Sentence four describes an unreal past condition. Use “If I had known about the change, I would have informed…” Sentence five requires the fixed preposition to: “The new assistant is senior to several employees.” In sentence six, the correct pair is no sooner…than: “No sooner did the train arrive than the passengers began moving…”

These patterns appear across banking, insurance, railway and civil service recruitment tests. Reviewing academic publishing resources can also help learners become comfortable with formal sentence construction and edited English.

Applying Grammar In Australian Study Life

Students living in Australia may prepare around different daily schedules. A candidate commuting by tram in Melbourne, changing trains in Sydney or working a casual retail shift near Perth needs a short, repeatable study routine. Grammar practice can fit into a morning coffee break, a bus journey or an evening revision session.

Local language exposure is valuable, but informal Australian speech should not replace examination rules. Job advertisements may use concise workplace language, while official documents follow more formal conventions under legislation such as the Privacy Act 1988 or the Australian Consumer Law. Banking and insurance vocabulary also reflects the Australian market, including terms connected with interest rates, mortgages, superannuation and the Australian dollar.

Reading notices from Coles or Woolworths, comparing prices, or following employment updates can supply useful vocabulary. However, candidates should return to standard grammar exercises for accuracy. For broader revision, a current affairs capsule can support the general-awareness preparation required alongside English.

Build A Consistent Revision Routine

Error spotting improves through repeated analysis rather than hurried memorisation. Keep a notebook with three columns: the original sentence, the corrected version and the grammar rule. Revisit mistakes after two days and again at the end of the week.

Use these recommendations during preparation:

Begin with the six questions above, check each explanation, and then create a fresh timed set using similar rules. Consistent practice through Currentaffairs4examz.com can turn error spotting into a dependable scoring area for IBPS PO and other competitive examinations.