Error spotting (verb pattern: persist + in + -ing): Identify the erroneous segment (A/B/C) — choose D if there is no error — 'I could not convince them / because they persisted to suggest / that I was lying. / No error.'
Verbal Ability
Spotting Errors
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AI could not convince them
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Bbecause they persisted to suggest
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Cthat I was lying.
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DNo error.
Answer
Correct Answer: because they persisted to suggest
Explanation
Concept/Approach: Gerund after 'persist in'The idiomatic construction is 'persist in + -ing': 'persisted in suggesting'. The infinitive after 'persist' is nonstandard here.
Correction(B) 'persisted to suggest' → 'persisted in suggesting'.Corrected sentence: 'I could not convince them because they persisted in suggesting that I was lying.'
Common pitfallsUsing 'to + verb' after verbs that require a preposition + gerund (insist on doing, persist in doing).
Final Answer(B) is erroneous → 'persisted in suggesting'.