Error spotting in English grammar: We have to accept that driving vehicles require expertise. Identify which part of the sentence contains the grammatical error, or choose the no error option if the sentence is correct.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is another example of error spotting in English grammar. The sentence talks about accepting that driving vehicles needs skill. You must determine which labelled part A, B, or C contains a grammatical problem, or whether the sentence is correct overall. Such questions are designed to check your understanding of subject verb agreement and the way gerunds and verbal nouns behave in English sentences.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The full sentence is: We have to accept that driving vehicles require expertise.
  • Part A is We have to accept.
  • Part B is that driving vehicles.
  • Part C is require expertise.
  • Part D is the no error option.
  • The intended meaning is that operating vehicles safely needs a certain level of skill or expertise.


Concept / Approach:
The key concept here is subject verb agreement when the subject is a gerund phrase. In English, when a gerund such as driving is the subject of a clause, it is treated as a singular noun. Therefore, the verb that follows should be in singular form, such as requires, not require. Although vehicles is plural, the head of the subject phrase is driving, which is singular. We must identify which part contains the incorrect verb form and correct it to match the true subject of the clause.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine part A, We have to accept. This part is correct. The auxiliary have and infinitive to accept form a standard expression indicating necessity or obligation. Step 2: Examine part B, that driving vehicles. This introduces a noun clause with that and uses driving vehicles as the subject of the embedded clause. The phrase is grammatically acceptable so far. Step 3: Examine part C, require expertise. The verb require is in the plural form, which normally matches a plural subject. Step 4: Identify the subject of require. It is the entire gerund phrase driving vehicles. The core of that subject is driving, which is treated as singular. Therefore, the verb should be requires rather than require. Step 5: The correct sentence should read, We have to accept that driving vehicles requires expertise. Step 6: Since the verb form in part C is incorrect, the error lies in segment C.


Verification / Alternative Check:
To verify, compare similar sentences where a gerund phrase is the subject. For example, Smoking cigarettes causes cancer, not Smoking cigarettes cause cancer. In both examples, the gerund phrase is treated as a single activity, so the verb is singular. Likewise, Driving heavy trucks demands great care uses the singular demands. Applying this rule to the original sentence, we see that requires is the correct form. Reading the corrected sentence aloud, We have to accept that driving vehicles requires expertise, sounds natural and grammatically correct, which confirms that part C needs correction.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, part A, We have to accept, is a correct expression of necessity and contains no error.
Option b, part B, that driving vehicles, properly introduces the content clause and uses a gerund phrase as the subject without any grammatical problem.
Option d, the no error option, is incorrect because we have clearly identified that the verb in part C does not agree correctly with its subject.


Common Pitfalls:
A frequent pitfall is to focus only on the word vehicles, which is plural, and then incorrectly choose require as the verb form. However, subject verb agreement must be based on the head of the subject phrase, which is driving, a gerund functioning as a singular noun. Another common mistake is to treat gerund phrases as negligible or purely verbal and forget that they behave grammatically like singular nouns. Remember examples such as Driving fast is dangerous and Reading books improves knowledge to strengthen this rule in your mind.


Final Answer:
The error is in part C, where require should be requires. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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