Error Spotting – Choose the part (A–D) that contains a grammatical error, or choose No error if the sentence is fully correct. Sentence (parts correspond to options below): A) The man B) is C) a D) social animal.
Correct Answer: No error
Introduction / Context:This sentence checks basic sentence structure, article usage, and predicate nominatives. It is a simple subject–linking verb–complement construction that is standard and idiomatic in English.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Subject: The man
- Linking verb: is
- Article and complement: a social animal
Concept / Approach:In English, the pattern subject + be + noun phrase is common to classify or define a subject. The article a is used with a singular countable noun when making a generic classification. The complement social animal is a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Confirm subject–verb agreement: man is singular; be verb in present simple is is.Step 2: Check article usage: a is appropriate before the singular countable noun phrase social animal.Step 3: Check idiomaticity: The construction is idiomatic and widely used to express a general truth about humans.Step 4: No grammatical or idiomatic error is present.Verification / Alternative check:Paraphrase: A man is a social animal or Humans are social animals. Both are standard and grammatical, confirming correctness of the original structure.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:They are not wrong. Each fragment contributes correctly to a well-formed sentence: subject (A), verb (B), article (C), and complement (D).
Common Pitfalls:Learners sometimes remove the article a, but that would create an ungrammatical or awkward classification. They may also attempt plural agreement incorrectly. Neither issue applies here.
Final Answer:No error.