In the following sentence, some part may have an error. The sentence is divided into four numbered parts. Find out which part contains an error and select the correct option. If the sentence is free from error, select the “No Error” option. The Tata group owns (1) many industries, that are spread (2) across the globe. (3) No Error (4).

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: many industries, that are spread

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Error spotting questions test your understanding of grammar and proper sentence structure in English. In this question, the sentence describes the Tata group and the industries it owns. The sentence is broken into parts so that you can examine each segment and decide which part contains a grammatical or usage error, or whether the sentence is entirely correct.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- Full sentence divided as: (1) The Tata group owns (2) many industries, that are spread (3) across the globe. (4) No Error. - We need to locate the part that contains an error in standard written English.


Concept / Approach:
The key concept here is the correct use of relative clauses and punctuation. In English, a defining relative clause that identifies which industries we are talking about usually does not take a comma before that. If we insert a comma, we normally use which instead of that to begin a non defining relative clause. Therefore, the phrase many industries, that are spread is incorrect because it mixes a comma with that, which is not standard usage. The rest of the sentence is grammatically sound.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine part 1, The Tata group owns. This is a correct beginning with subject and verb properly placed. Step 2: Examine part 2, many industries, that are spread. This introduces additional information about the industries. However, the comma before that is problematic. Step 3: In a defining clause where the information is essential, the standard structure is many industries that are spread across the globe, without any comma. Step 4: Alternatively, if we keep the comma, we should replace that with which: many industries, which are spread across the globe. The current combination is therefore incorrect. Step 5: Examine part 3, across the globe. This phrase correctly completes the information about where the industries are spread. Step 6: Since the only definite error appears in part 2, that is the segment we must choose.


Verification / Alternative check:
Rewriting the sentence in correct English helps to verify the choice. One correct version is The Tata group owns many industries that are spread across the globe. Another correct version is The Tata group owns many industries, which are spread across the globe. Both versions are acceptable, but they either remove the comma or change that to which. The original wording many industries, that are spread breaks this rule, so identifying part 2 as the error is justified.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Part 1, The Tata group owns, is correct and forms a proper subject verb unit. Part 3, across the globe, is correct and complete in itself. Part 4, No Error, is wrong because the sentence as given does contain an error in part 2 and is not fully correct.


Common Pitfalls:
Many learners hardly notice the fine distinction between defining and non defining relative clauses and focus only on obvious errors like tense or agreement. Examiners often test these subtle punctuation and pronoun rules to differentiate between careful and careless readers. To avoid such mistakes, remember that a comma plus that in this position is usually wrong, and that non defining clauses normally begin with which, not that. Reading good quality English texts and paying attention to such patterns will improve your ability to spot similar errors quickly.


Final Answer:
The error is in the part many industries, that are spread, which should be corrected to many industries that are spread or many industries, which are spread.

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