Question

Identify the error in the underlined part of the sentence (if any) and its correct version among the options given-
Further complicating the situations in the US is the fact whatever decision is made can be overruled by the family.
a) No change
b) Whatever decision is made can be overruled by the family.
c) That what decision is made can be overruled by the family.
d) That whatever decision is made can be ruled by the family.

Answer 1

Hint: To identify any error in any given sentence one must check all the parts of speech correctly placed and all the punctuation marks correctly used.

Complete answer:
While checking for errors in any sentence, one must read the entire sentence, examine each choice individually, check verbs and pronouns first (since they are most likely to include errors). in the given question we have to identify the error in the underlined part of the sentence, which is – whatever decision is made can be overruled by the family.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct answer :
Option ‘a’ is – No change. We will choose these options if there is no mistake in the given, underlined sentence.
Option ‘b’ is – Whatever decision is made can be overruled by the family. This is incorrect because ‘that’ is missing. ‘That’ is used as a relative pronoun that relates the noun to the rest of the sentence. Here, an adjective clause must begin with a relative pronoun/adverb, but this sentence begins with a determiner. So, this is an incorrect answer.
Option ‘c’ is – That what decision is made can be overruled by the family. This option is also incorrect because the meaning is completely changed. We have to find errors without changing the meaning of the given sentence.
Option ‘d’ is – That whatever decision is made can be ruled by the family. This is also an incorrect option as ‘overruled’ is replaced with ‘ruled', which changes the meaning of the sentence.
As we have analyzed all the given options, we can easily figure out the correct answer. There is no error in the underlined phrase and there will be no change required in it. So, the correct answer is “Option a”.

Note:
The underlined phrase in the given sentence forms an adjective clause that gives more information about the noun ‘fact’.