Question

Read the sentence below and find out which part contains an error. If there is no error, the answer is "No error".

The mutual co-operation (a) of employees is (b) essential to the success (c) of business. (d)

• A. The mutual co-operation
• B. of employees is
• C. essential to the success
• D. of business.

Hint:

Ask whether "co-operation" already includes the meaning of "mutual" on its own.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This sentence has been split into four parts, and we need to check each part for a grammar or usage error. The most common trap in such questions is a redundant phrase, where two words repeat the same meaning.

1. The mutual co-operation: The word "co-operation" already means working together with someone else, so it already carries the sense of "mutual". Adding "mutual" before it repeats the same idea twice, which is a redundancy error.
2. of employees is: This phrase correctly links the subject "co-operation" to the singular verb "is", so there is no error here.
3. essential to the success: "Essential to" is the correct preposition to use with "success", so this part is correct.
4. of business.: This closes the sentence correctly and needs no correction.

The error lies in part (a), "The mutual co-operation", because "mutual" is redundant when used with "co-operation".

Let's summarize:

• "Co-operation" by its own meaning already implies that more than one side is involved, so words like "mutual" before it are unnecessary.
• The rest of the sentence, from the verb "is" to "of business", follows correct grammar and needs no change.

So the correct option is (a), "The mutual co-operation".