TOIEC Error Recognition Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

which he claimed were
worse (Correct answer)
actually
thoughts

Correct answer: worse

The word "worse" is a comparative adjective and requires a comparison (e.g., "worse than before") or should be used as part of a superlative ("the worst"). If the sentence intends to simply describe the negative quality of the thoughts without comparison, an adjective like "bad" or "terrible" would be appropriate.

Question 2: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

had been advised
to make
with
delayed to buy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: delayed to buy

The phrase "delayed to buy" is grammatically incorrect. When the verb "delay" is followed by another verb, the second verb should be in the gerund form (verb-ing). The correct construction would be "delayed buying" or "to delay buying."

Question 3: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

presented
will might (Correct answer)
may have to
before going

Correct answer: will might

"Will" and "might" are both modal auxiliary verbs. It is grammatically incorrect in English to use two modal verbs consecutively to express a single idea. One modal verb is sufficient to convey possibility or future action.

Question 4: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

Not agreeing to sell
is phasing (Correct answer)
will attempt
things going

Correct answer: is phasing

The verb "phasing" typically requires a direct object or the particle "out" to form the common phrasal verb "phase out." Without this, "is phasing" is grammatically incomplete or misused in this context. For example, one might "phase in" or "phase out" a product, or "phase operations."

Question 5: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

a little (Correct answer)
to preventing
extinguishing
was

Correct answer: a little

The phrase "a little" implies a small but positive amount. However, if the context of the sentence suggests that insufficient action was taken or that something was barely done, then "little" (without the article "a") would be the correct choice. "Little" conveys a negative sense, meaning 'hardly any', which might be the intended meaning here.

Question 6: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

frustrating
was experienced
because of
drastically (Correct answer)

Correct answer: drastically

"Drastically" is an adverb, which modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Here, it is incorrectly used to modify "changes," which is a noun. To modify a noun, an adjective is needed, so the correct word would be "drastic."

Question 7: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

deals on (Correct answer)
which
depend upon
necessities of life

Correct answer: deals on

The verb "deal" when referring to handling or being concerned with a subject, typically uses the preposition "with" (e.g., "deal with a problem"). "Deals on" is not the standard idiomatic expression in this context; it should be "deals with" or "deals in" (if referring to trade).

Question 8: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

much like
with
distinguishing
words (Correct answer)
within the

Correct answer: words

Without the full sentence, the exact error is hard to pinpoint, but "words" is likely incorrect if the context requires a more specific noun (e.g., "meanings," "phrases," or "sounds"). Alternatively, the sentence structure might necessitate a singular form, a possessive form, or a different grammatical construction for "words."

Question 9: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

Although
it
in which
standing out (Correct answer)

Correct answer: standing out

The phrase 'in which standing out' is grammatically incorrect. 'In which' is a relative pronoun that introduces a clause, and it should be followed by a subject and a finite verb, or an infinitive phrase. 'Standing out' is a present participle, and its usage here creates an ungrammatical construction. It should likely be 'in which it stood out' or 'in which to stand out' depending on the intended meaning.

Question 10: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

was
least (Correct answer)
the
address

Correct answer: least

The phrase 'at least the address' is grammatically awkward and illogical. The word 'least' implies a minimum quantity or degree, which doesn't fit when referring to a specific location like 'the address.' The sentence likely intends to say 'at the address' (referring to location) or 'at least *at* the address' (if emphasizing a minimum condition), making 'least' redundant or misused in its current placement.

Question 11: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

does
how
shipping (Correct answer)
so that

Correct answer: shipping

The phrase 'How does shipping' is grammatically incorrect because the auxiliary verb 'does' requires a base form verb (infinitive without 'to') to form a question. 'Shipping' is a gerund or present participle, not a base verb. To be grammatically correct, it should be 'How does it ship?' or 'How does the shipping work?', making 'shipping' in its current position the error.

Question 12: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

wasn't (Correct answer)
promoted
until
retired

Correct answer: wasn't

The sentence 'He wasn't promoted until he retired' uses the simple past passive 'wasn't promoted.' While grammatically possible, to express a continuous state of not being promoted leading up to a specific point in the past, the past perfect passive 'hadn't been promoted' is generally more appropriate and idiomatic. The simple past can imply a single event, which might not accurately convey the intended duration of non-promotion.

Question 13: Select the underlined section that contains an error:\t

dissatisfied
for (Correct answer)
know
can

Correct answer: for

The preposition 'for' is often used to indicate cause or reason, as in 'dissatisfied for a number of reasons.' However, the standard and most grammatically precise preposition to use with 'dissatisfied' when referring to the object or subject of the dissatisfaction is 'with.' Therefore, 'If you are dissatisfied *with* any reason' (though awkward) or 'If you are dissatisfied *with* the product for any reason' would be more aligned with prescriptive grammar rules.

Question 14: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

we (Correct answer)
an
from
the

Correct answer: we

The pronoun 'we' is a subject pronoun, meaning it should perform the action of the verb. In the implied sentence 'We received an email from the company,' 'we' correctly functions as the subject of 'received.' However, if the full, unstated sentence intended for 'we' to be the object of a verb or preposition, it should have been the object pronoun 'us' (e.g., 'The email was sent to us'). Without the full context, assuming a common pronoun case error, 'we' would be incorrect if it was in an object position.

Question 15: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

although
differently
than (Correct answer)
some

Correct answer: than

While 'differently than' is commonly used in informal speech, prescriptive grammar generally prefers 'differently from' when expressing a distinction or comparison. The rule is that 'different' (and by extension 'differently') should be followed by 'from,' not 'than,' which is typically reserved for comparative adjectives like 'taller than' or 'more than.' Therefore, 'He thinks differently *from* some' is considered more grammatically correct.

Question 16: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

late
on
be
by five o'clock ready (Correct answer)

Correct answer: by five o'clock ready

The phrase 'by five o'clock ready' contains an error in word order. The adjective 'ready' should typically precede the time phrase 'by five o'clock' when describing a state to be achieved by that time. The correct and natural phrasing would be 'ready by five o'clock,' indicating the state of readiness is expected to be complete at or before that time.

Question 17: Select the underlined section that contains an error:

borrowed
from
thieves
to (Correct answer)

Correct answer: to

The preposition 'to' is used incorrectly at the end of the sentence without an object or a verb in the infinitive form. Prepositions require an object to complete their meaning, or 'to' can introduce an infinitive verb phrase to express purpose (e.g., 'to steal'). As it stands, 'to' is left dangling, making the sentence grammatically incomplete and nonsensical.

TOIEC Error Recognition Test

Select the underlined section that contains an error: