Error spotting, or detection, is one of the most frequently asked questions in Bank PO exams. It is more than a basic subject-verb agreement test. These exams present longer sentences and may also test modifiers, parallelism, clause relationships, and sentence structure.
Understanding the structural patterns allows candidates to spot and correct these errors rapidly when solving sentence-improvement and error-detection questions in these exams.
Although this guide is focused on Bank PO Exams, it is useful for aspirants preparing for high-level competitive examinations such as SBI PO, IBPS PO, RBI Grade B, and NABARD. General learners should also read it to strengthen their English skills.
Table of Contents
Mastering Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers & Parallelism for Bank PO
Quick Rules to Remember
While solving the error-spotting questions:
- Dangling modifier: Ask, “Who is doing this action?”
- Misplaced modifier: Ask, “Which word does this phrase clearly modify?”
- Parallelism: Check whether items joined by and, or, but, not only…but also, etc. have matching grammatical structures.
| Error Type | Meaning | Common Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Modifier Errors Action detached from the correct subject | A descriptive word, phrase, or clause is not logically connected to the element it is intended to modify. |
|
| Parallelism Errors Unmatched structural elements | Two or more elements that perform the same grammatical function do not have matching grammatical structures. |
|
Dangling vs. Misplaced Modifiers
| Modifier Type | Definition | Incorrect Example | Corrected Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misplaced Modifier | Placed too far from the word it describes, causing confusion. |
She almost ate the entire pizza. (She didn't eat it?) |
She ate almost the entire pizza. |
| Dangling Modifier | The subject it describes is completely missing from the sentence. |
Walking to school, the rain started. (The rain was walking?) |
Walking to school, I felt the rain start. |
1. Structural Blueprint: Modifiers and Parallelism
What is a Modifier Error?
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes, clarifies, or gives detail about another element in a sentence. A dangling modifier occurs when the descriptive phrase lacks a logical subject to attach to in the main clause, making the sentence illogical or absurd.
What is a Parallelism Error?
Parallelism requires that two or more elements in a sentence sharing the same grammatical function must also share the same grammatical structure. When a sentence pairs an infinitive with a gerund (to run and swimming) or an adjective with a clause, it breaks structural symmetry. It makes parallelism errors.
2. Advanced Modifier Patterns & Corrections
Pattern A: The Introductory Participial Phrase
When an introductory participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause, that subject must be logically capable of being associated with the action or description expressed by the phrase. With an -ing phrase, the subject usually performs the action; with an -ed/-en phrase, the subject may receive the action.
INCORRECT STRUCTURAL FLOW:
[Participial Phrase: Walking down the street] , [Subject: a tree fell on him]
❌ Absurdity: The tree was walking down the street.
CORRECT STRUCTURAL FLOW:
[Participial Phrase: Walking down the street] , [Subject: he was struck by a tree]
✓ Logic: The person was walking down the street.
Error Example:
While analyzing the quarterly financial report, several accounting discrepancies were discovered by the audit team.
Why it fails: The opening phrase “While analysing…” modifies the noun that immediately follows the comma (several accounting discrepancies). Discrepancies do not analyse reports—the audit team does.
Correction Options:
Change the main subject: “While analysing the quarterly financial report, the audit team discovered several accounting discrepancies.”
Turn the introductory phrase into a complete clause: “While the audit team was analysing the quarterly financial report, several accounting discrepancies were discovered.”
Pattern B: The Misplaced Relative Clause (Which / Who / That)
Place a relative clause close to the noun it modifies, especially when another noun could create ambiguity. Separating them creates confusion.
Incorrect: The manager presented a new policy to the board members that lowered operational costs.
Analysis: The clause “that lowered operational costs” sits next to board members, suggesting the members lowered the costs, rather than the policy.
Correct: The manager presented a new policy that lowered operational costs to the board members.
3. The Rules of Parallelism
Rule 1: Correlative Conjunction Pairs
Correlative conjunctions require identical grammatical structures directly after each part of the pair.
FAULTY BALANCE:
The company plans [not only] TO EXPAND abroad [but also] ACQUIRE local firms.
▲ ▲
(Infinitive phrase) (Bare verb)
PARALLEL BALANCE:
The company plans [not only] TO EXPAND abroad [but also] TO ACQUIRE local firms.
▲ ▲
(Infinitive phrase) (Infinitive phrase)
Incorrect: The candidate was neither praised for her exceptional performance nor did the supervisor give her a bonus.
Analysis: Neither is followed by a verb phrase (praised…), while nor is followed by an independent clause (did the supervisor give…).
Correct: The candidate was neither praised for her exceptional performance nor given a bonus by the supervisor.
Rule 2: Series and Lists Across Coordinates
Elements joined by coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but) must maintain matching parts of speech. See the examples:
Non-Parallel (Noun + Nouns + Gerund): The board demands punctuality, transparency, and working hard.
Parallel (All Nouns): The board demands punctuality, transparency, and diligence. (✔️)
Parallel (All Gerunds): The board demands arriving on time, maintaining transparency, and working hard. (✔️)
4. Diagnostic Checklist for Complex Sentences
Use this 4-step diagnostic sequence when evaluating long sentences in Error Spotting and Sentence Improvement sections (in Bank PO and other exams):
4-STEP DIAGNOSTIC SEQUENCE
Step 1: Locate Introductory Phrases ──► Look for "-ing" or "-ed" openings.
│
▼
Step 2: Check Immediate Subject ──► Is the noun after the comma performing
that introductory action?
│
▼
Step 3: Highlight Conjunction Pairs ──► Circle "not only... but also", "either... or".
│
▼
Step 4: Verify Post-Pair Symmetry ──► Ensure matching parts of speech in
both sides of the conjunction pair.5. Bank PO Exam-Style Practice Set
Q1. Identify the part containing an error:
(A) Having finished the risk assessment audit,
(B) the remaining funds were reallocated
(C) to the infrastructure development division
(D) by the chief financial officer.
(E) No error
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Having finished the risk assessment audit” is a participial modifier. The entity following the comma must be the person who finished the audit. The passive subject “the remaining funds” could not perform the audit.
Fix: (A) Having finished the risk assessment audit, (B) the chief financial officer reallocated the remaining funds…
Q2. Select the grammatically correct version of the sentence:
The newly appointed director aims to restructure the department, improving operational efficiency, and reduce unnecessary overhead costs.
- Option 1: The newly appointed director aims to restructure the department, to improve operational efficiency, and reducing unnecessary overhead costs.
- Option 2: The newly appointed director aims to restructure the department, improve operational efficiency, and reduce unnecessary overhead costs.
- Option 3: The newly appointed director aims at restructuring the department, improving operational efficiency, and to reduce unnecessary overhead costs.
- Option 4: The newly appointed director aims to restructuring the department, improve operational efficiency, and reducing unnecessary overhead costs.
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: After “aims to,” the three coordinated verbs—restructure, improve, and reduce—are parallel. The word “to” before the first verb applies to all three.
Q3. Identify the part containing an error:
(A) The research firm reported that the new product was
(B) not only popular among urban consumers
(C) but also its sales increased rapidly
(D) in rural markets during the first quarter.
(E) No error
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The correlative conjunction “not only…but also” should connect elements that have the same grammatical structure. Here, “popular among urban consumers” is an adjective phrase, whereas “its sales increased rapidly” is an independent clause. The two parts are not parallel.
Fix: To correct the sentence, make both parts adjective phrases like this: “The research firm reported that the new product was not only popular among urban consumers but also successful in rural markets during the first quarter.”
Q4. Identify the part containing an error:
(A) After reviewing the revised proposal,
(B) several weaknesses in the financial projections
(C) were identified by the investment committee
(D) before the final meeting.
(E) No error
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The introductory phrase “After reviewing the revised proposal” is a participial modifier. The subject immediately following the comma should logically be the entity that reviewed the proposal. However, “several weaknesses in the financial projections” cannot review a proposal.
Corrected sentence: “After reviewing the revised proposal, the investment committee identified several weaknesses in the financial projections before the final meeting.”
Q5. Select the grammatically correct version:
The new training programme is designed to improve employee productivity, developing leadership skills, and reduce workplace conflicts.
- Option 1: The new training programme is designed to improving employee productivity, developing leadership skills, and reducing workplace conflicts.
- Option 2: The new training programme is designed to improve employee productivity, develop leadership skills, and reduce workplace conflicts.
- Option 3: The new training programme is designed to improve employee productivity, developing leadership skills, and reducing workplace conflicts.
- Option 4: The new training programme is designed to improving employee productivity, develop leadership skills, and reduce workplace conflicts.
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The phrase “designed to” is followed by a series of coordinated verbs. For parallel structure, all three verbs should have the same form.
Correct sentence: “The new training programme is designed to improve employee productivity, develop leadership skills, and reduce workplace conflicts.”
Q6. Identify the part containing an error:
(A) Having examined the survey responses carefully,
(B) the major concerns of customers
(C) were discussed at length
(D) during the management meeting.
(E) No error
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The opening phrase “Having examined the survey responses carefully” must logically refer to the person or group that examined the responses. The subject that follows is “the major concerns of customers,” which cannot perform the action of examining. The sentence therefore contains a dangling modifier.
Fix: You can correct it like this: “Having examined the survey responses carefully, the management team discussed the major concerns of customers during the meeting.”
or:
“After the management team had examined the survey responses carefully, the major concerns of customers were discussed during the meeting.”
Q7. Select the grammatically correct version:
The committee expects the revised policy to reduce administrative delays, improving transparency, and strengthen accountability.
- Option 1: The committee expects the revised policy to reduce administrative delays, improve transparency, and strengthen accountability.
- Option 2: The committee expects the revised policy reducing administrative delays, improving transparency, and strengthening accountability.
- Option 3: The committee expects the revised policy to reduce administrative delays, improving transparency, and strengthening accountability.
- Option 4: The committee expects the revised policy to reducing administrative delays, improve transparency, and strengthen accountability.
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The verb “expects” is followed by the structure “the revised policy to…”. The three actions that follow should therefore remain parallel.
Correct sentence: “The committee expects the revised policy to reduce administrative delays, improve transparency, and strengthen accountability.”
Q8. Identify the part containing an error:
(A) Walking through the newly renovated office,
(B) the improved lighting and modern furniture
(C) immediately caught the manager’s attention
(D) during the inspection.
(E) No error
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The introductory phrase “Walking through the newly renovated office” logically describes the person who was walking. However, the subject immediately after the comma is “the improved lighting and modern furniture.” Neither the lighting nor the furniture can walk through the office. The sentence has a dangling modifier.
Corrected sentence: “Walking through the newly renovated office, the manager was immediately impressed by the improved lighting and modern furniture.”
Or:
“As the manager walked through the newly renovated office, the improved lighting and modern furniture immediately caught his attention.”
If you want to study more with practice materials, check out the following links:
- English Preparation Books for Bank PO and Clerk Exams
- English Preparation Books for Competitive Exams
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