English Grammar – Spot the Error (choose the segment containing the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “Having learn my lessons, I was very careful in dealing with him in front of his room-mate.”
Verbal Ability
Spotting Errors
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
Answer
Correct Answer: Having learn my lessons
Explanation
Introduction / Context:This question tests non-finite verb forms, specifically perfect participles used to express prior action. “Having + past participle” signals that one action is completed before another begins. Using the base form after “Having” is ungrammatical in this construction.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Learner intends: “After I had learned my lessons, I was careful …”.
- Structure used: “Having learn my lessons …”
- Remainder of the sentence is syntactically sound.
Concept / Approach:
- The perfect participle requires “Having + V3 (past participle)”.
- For “learn”, acceptable past participles are “learned” (AmE) or “learnt” (BrE).
- Therefore, “Having learnt/learned my lessons” is correct; “Having learn” is incorrect.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Detect the non-finite clause: “Having … my lessons”.Apply the rule: replace “learn” with “learnt/learned”.Corrected sentence: “Having learnt my lessons, I was very careful in dealing with him in front of his room-mate.”Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrase using a finite clause: “After I had learnt my lessons, …” — meaning preserved.Why Other Options Are Wrong:
B: Proper main clause with past tense “was”.C and D: Prepositional phrases are correctly formed and placed.E: Incorrect because an error exists in A.Common Pitfalls:
Confusing perfect participle with gerund; forgetting that non-finite forms still obey participle morphology.Final Answer:
Having learn my lessons