Question

Find out the incorrectly spelled word:

• A. detrimental
• B. incestous
• C. secretariat
• D. consanguineous

Hint:

Many adjectives derived from nouns ending in 't' or 'st' follow the -uous pattern, such as contemptuous, sumptuous, and incestuous.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Adjectives ending in the "us" sound often require the suffix "-uous" or "-ious" depending on the phonetic structure of the root word. Mastering these suffixes is essential for advanced English vocabulary.

Step 1: Evaluation of correct terms.

• Detrimental: Spelled correctly. It means tending to cause harm.
• Secretariat: Spelled correctly. It refers to a permanent administrative office or department, especially a governmental one.
• Consanguineous: Spelled correctly. This is a complex word meaning relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor. It correctly uses the "-ineous" ending.

Step 2: Analysis of the error in Option (B).
The word is written as "incestous". The correct spelling is "incestuous". The root word is "incest," and when converting it into an adjective, the suffix "-uous" must be applied. The letter 'u' is missing between the 't' and the 'o'.