UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY201710 Marks
Q13.

Rewrite the following sentences after making necessary corrections. Do not make unnecessary changes in the original sentence : (v) Netaji is one of the bravest patriot of the country.

How to Approach

This question tests basic grammatical understanding and the ability to identify and correct errors in sentence construction. The approach should be straightforward: identify the error (incorrect use of article and adjective form), and rewrite the sentence with the necessary corrections. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles ('a', 'an', 'the') and comparative/superlative adjectives. Avoid adding any new information or altering the sentence's core meaning.

Model Answer

0 min read

Introduction

Grammatical accuracy is fundamental to effective communication, particularly in formal writing like that required for the UPSC examination. Errors in sentence construction can detract from the clarity and impact of an answer. This question assesses a candidate’s ability to identify and rectify a common grammatical mistake – the incorrect use of articles and adjective forms. Correcting such errors demonstrates attention to detail and a strong command of the English language, crucial skills for a civil servant.

The original sentence is: "Netaji is one of the bravest patriot of the country."

Identifying the Errors

The sentence contains two primary errors:

  • Incorrect Article: The use of "the" before "bravest patriot" is incorrect. "One of" is followed by a plural or uncountable noun, or a noun phrase beginning with an indefinite article ("a" or "an").
  • Incorrect Noun Form: "Patriot" should be "patriots" because it is used after "one of".

Corrected Sentence

The corrected sentence is: "Netaji is one of the bravest patriots of the country."

Explanation of Corrections

  • Replacing "the bravest patriot" with "the bravest patriots" ensures grammatical correctness. "One of" implies a selection from a group, hence the plural form is necessary.
  • The article "the" remains before "bravest patriots" as it correctly modifies the superlative adjective.

Alternative Corrected Sentence (Less Common, but Acceptable)

While less common, the following is also grammatically acceptable, though it slightly alters the emphasis:

"Netaji is one of the bravest patriots in the country."

This version uses "in" instead of "of," which is a stylistic choice and doesn't affect the core grammatical correctness.

Why other changes are unnecessary

The rest of the sentence – "Netaji is" and "of the country" – are grammatically sound and do not require alteration. The focus should be solely on correcting the identified errors without introducing unnecessary changes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the key to answering this question lies in precise identification of the grammatical errors and their subsequent correction. The corrected sentence, "Netaji is one of the bravest patriots of the country," accurately reflects the intended meaning while adhering to the rules of English grammar. Maintaining the original sentence structure and avoiding extraneous changes are crucial for a complete and accurate response.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Article
Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. The definite article 'the' is used for specific nouns, while indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' are used for non-specific nouns.
Superlative Adjective
A superlative adjective is used to compare three or more things and indicates which one is the most or least of a particular quality (e.g., bravest, tallest, smallest).

Key Statistics

According to a 2022 study by Cambridge Assessment English, approximately 60% of non-native English speakers struggle with the correct usage of articles.

Source: Cambridge Assessment English, 2022

A 2021 survey by Aspiring Minds found that only 26.5% of Indian graduates are employable, with communication skills being a major contributing factor.

Source: Aspiring Minds, 2021

Examples

Incorrect Article Usage

Incorrect: "I went to the school yesterday." Correct: "I went to school yesterday." (No article is needed when referring to school in a general sense.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'a' and 'an'?

Use 'a' before words beginning with a consonant sound (e.g., a book, a car). Use 'an' before words beginning with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour). The rule is based on sound, not just the letter.