Question

Each sentence below has underlined parts numbered 1 to 4. Find the underlined part that breaks a rule of correct English usage.

Ganesh is taller than (1) Ramesh but (2) Anoop is (3) more taller (4).

• A. only 1
• B. only 2
• C. only 3
• D. only 4

Hint:

Watch for a double comparative: you cannot use "more" together with an "-er" adjective like "taller".

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The sentence in question is: 

Ganesh is taller than (1) Ramesh but (2) Anoop is (3) more taller (4).

We need to identify which part of the sentence breaks a rule of correct English usage. Let's examine each underlined part:

1. Taller than (1): The phrase "taller than" is correctly used here. When comparing two people, "taller than" is the correct comparative form, since "taller" is the comparative adjective for "tall", and "than" is the preposition used to indicate comparison. This part is correct.
2. But (2): The word "but" is a conjunction used correctly here to introduce a contrast between two clauses. There are no issues with this usage. This part is correct.
3. Is (3): The verb "is" is used correctly to connect the subject "Anoop" with the predicate adjective phrase. This part is grammatically correct.
4. More taller (4): This part of the sentence contains the error. In English, we do not combine "more" with the comparative form of an adjective that already includes -er. The correct form is simply "taller," not "more taller".

Conclusion: The part only 4 is incorrect due to the redundancy of using "more" with the comparative adjective "taller." The correct phrase should simply be "taller" without "more."

Tip: Remember that for comparative adjectives ending in -er (e.g., taller, smaller), you should not use "more". Use "more" with longer adjectives or those not ending in -er (e.g., more beautiful).

Answer 2

This sentence compares the heights of three people, so check the comparative form used at each step.

1. Part 1, "taller than": this correctly compares two people, Ganesh and Ramesh, using the standard comparative form of "tall". No error.
2. Part 2, "but": this conjunction correctly signals a shift to a third person, Anoop, being brought into the comparison. No error.
3. Part 3, "is": this verb correctly agrees with the singular subject "Anoop". No error.
4. Part 4, "more taller": "taller" is already the comparative form of "tall", so adding "more" in front creates a double comparative. English never stacks two comparative markers together. The correct form is simply "taller", or "tallest" if Anoop is being placed above both Ganesh and Ramesh. This part breaks the rule.

Only part 4 carries an error, the redundant double comparative "more taller", so the correct choice is option D, "only 4".