English Grammar – Spot the error (identify the erroneous segment or choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: Our neighbours had repeated the same illogical sequence of activities if we had not brought the facts to their notice.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Our neighbours had repeated

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This item tests conditional perfect (“third conditional”) structure. When expressing a counterfactual past condition, the main clause requires “would have + past participle,” not simply “had + past participle.”



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Condition introduced by “if”: “if we had not brought …”.
  • Main clause describing unreal past outcome.


Concept / Approach:
Third conditional pattern: “If + past perfect, would have + past participle.” The sentence incorrectly uses past perfect (“had repeated”) in the main clause instead of “would have repeated.”



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify clause types: conditional (if) clause is correct: “if we had not brought …”.Correct the main clause: change “had repeated” to “would have repeated.”Corrected sentence: “Our neighbours would have repeated the same illogical sequence of activities if we had not brought the facts to their notice.”


Verification / Alternative check:
Swap clause order: “If we had not brought …, our neighbours would have repeated …” – reads naturally and follows the standard structure.



Why Other Options Are Wrong/Acceptable:

  • “the same illogical sequence of activities” – grammatically fine noun phrase.
  • “if we had not brought the” – correct start of the conditional clause.
  • “facts to their notice.” – correct prepositional phrase.
  • “No error.” – invalid because option A is erroneous.


Common Pitfalls:
Using past perfect in both clauses of a third conditional; forgetting the modal “would” (or “could/might”) with “have + past participle” in the main clause.



Final Answer:
Our neighbours had repeated

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