A sentence is divided into 4 parts, of which one has an error. Select the part from the options that has the error. You don't like/spicy food/don't you?

Appeared in: JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

The question tests the rule for forming question tags in English grammar.
The main statement, "You don't like spicy food," is negative due to the presence of "don't.".
According to grammar rules, a negative statement must be followed by a positive question tag.
The tag used, "don't you?", is negative, which is incorrect in this context.
The correct positive tag should be "do you?", making the full correct sentence: "You don't like spicy food, do you?".

Option B: The phrase "Spicy food" is a noun phrase acting as the object of the verb "like". It is grammatically correct and contains no error.
Option C: "You" is the subject of the sentence. It is a standard pronoun and is used correctly here.
Option D: "Don't like" is the negative verb phrase of the sentence. It correctly conjugates with the subject "You" (You do not like). There is no error in this part.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain English Grammar - Question Tags as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, strong English proficiency is crucial for nurses for clear and accurate communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Accurate documentation, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration all depend on a solid grasp of grammar and language.
What if the sentence was positive? If the statement was "You like spicy food," the correct negative tag would be "don't you?".

How to Approach the Question

First, read the entire sentence to understand its meaning: "You don't like spicy food, don't you?".
Identify the two main parts: the statement ("You don't like spicy food") and the question tag ("don't you?").
Determine the polarity of the statement. The word "don't" makes the statement negative.
Recall the rule for question tags: a negative statement requires a positive tag, and a positive statement requires a negative tag.
Check the polarity of the question tag. "don't you?" is negative.
Since a negative statement is incorrectly paired with a negative tag, identify the tag as the part with the error.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.