English grammar – Spot the error (choose the part with an error or “No error”). Sentence: We decided not tell to / the patient about / the disease he was / suffering from.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: We decided not tell to

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This item checks infinitive word order and the use of prepositions with reporting verbs. Choose the fragment containing the error.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The intended structure is “decided not to tell the patient about …”.
  • “Tell” takes a direct object without “to.”


Concept / Approach:
After “decided,” we use the infinitive “to tell.” The negative marker goes before the “to”-infinitive: “decided not to tell.” We do not say “tell to the patient”; “tell” is ditransitive (“tell someone something”) without “to.”



Step-by-Step Solution:

Part A as written: “not tell to” — incorrect; should be “not to tell.”Part B: “the patient about” — correct after “tell”: “tell the patient about …”.Part C: “the disease he was” — acceptable lead-in to a relative clause.Part D: “suffering from.” — correct collocation “suffer from.”


Verification / Alternative check:

Corrected sentence: “We decided not to tell the patient about the disease he was suffering from.”


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

B, C, and D follow standard usage; only A breaks infinitive order and misuses “to.”


Common Pitfalls:

Placing “not” after the main verb; adding “to” after “tell.”


Final Answer:
We decided not tell to

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