In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select ‘No Error’.
In an imperfect world with not-so-perfect people and institutions, you have to play (1)/ your role the best you can, take as many as you can along with you, (2)/ with empathy and a bit of loving detachment. (3)/ No error (4)
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4
Answers
Answer:
The question is a little difficult to parse, but I (unfortunately) agree with the examiner that 2. contains an error—assuming that the number is coming after the part of the sentence with the error and not before.
As you pointed out, the problem centres around take—which should be taking.
To make it clear, I'll give some simplified versions.
You have to play X, taking Y. [correct]
You have to play X, take Y. [incorrect—this is the same form of the original]
You have to play X and take Y. [correct]
You have to play X. Take Y. [correct]
You have to play X, take Y, or say Z. [correct]
Focusing on the incorrect version, which matches that of the question, the problem can be further seen if it's rearranged.
Take Y, you have to play X. [incorrect]
Taking Y, you have to play X. [correct]
In the incorrect version, the use of the comma has Y provide additional information about how X occurs, but without an ing (gerund) verb form.
The verb tense of take only works when the comma is used as part of a conjunction (joining several things with and or or)—or when the sentence is punctuated without a comma.