Solve this multiple-choice question and choose the correct option.

English grammar error-spotting (idiom ‘‘have a hand in’’ + article usage): Identify the erroneous segment among A–D; choose ‘‘No error’’ only if the sentence is entirely correct: ‘‘Though he stoutly persisted in denying his involvement in the case, / the facts made it very clear / that he had hand in the cruel murder of his wife. / No error.’

Difficulty: Easy

Though he stoutly persisted in denying his involvement in the case,
the facts made it very clear
that he had hand in the cruel murder of his wife.
No error.

Correct Answer: that he had hand in the cruel murder of his wife.

Explanation:

Given data

C contains the idiom ‘‘had hand in’’ without an article.

Concept / ApproachStandard idiom: ‘‘have a hand in (something)’’ meaning ‘‘be involved in’’. The article ‘‘a’’ is mandatory; without it, the phrase is ungrammatical in formal English.

Correction‘‘… the facts made it very clear that he had a hand in the cruel murder of his wife.’’

Common pitfalls

Dropping the article in fixed expressions (e.g., ‘‘in a hurry’’, ‘‘have a look’’, ‘‘have a hand in’’).

More Questions from Spotting Errors

Discussion & Comments