Identify the error in the given sentence.
Ajit got to work earliest than everyone else today.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. earliest than
Error concept: Wrong usage of comparative and superlative degree
What is wrong: The phrase earliest than is incorrect because earliest is a superlative and cannot be followed by than.
Grammatical concept:
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Comparative degree is used with than (earlier than).
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Superlative degree is used with the (the earliest).
Incorrectness of the concept in context: The sentence compares Ajit with everyone else, so it requires the comparative degree: earlier than everyone else, not earliest than.
How to correct: Replace earliest than with earlier than.
Correct phrase/ correction: earlier than everyone else
Final sentence: Ajit got to work earlier than everyone else today.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.