Question

Pick the part of sentence that contains an error
(a) The guards (b) dare not (c) to harm him.
a) (a)
b) (b)
c) (c)
d) No error.

Answer 1

Hint: The question suggests that we have to figure out the error (if any) in the given sub parts of the question. Find the action being performed in the sentence and look for error. (‘To’ along with the base forms an infinitive which can be incorrect with reference to the meaning of the sentence).

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss the above given options in order to find the answer.

a) The guards: This part of the question comprises the article ‘the’ and the noun ‘guards’, therefore this part is not incorrect. ‘The guards’ is the subject in this question.

b) dare not: This part of the question comprises the verb ‘dare’ which means challenge or threat and the adverb ‘not’ which means a denial to something.
Example: You dare not go to the woods all by yourself in the night.

c) to harm him: This part of the question comprises the noun ‘harm’ which means to cause damage or injury. In the sentence given above, ‘to’ disrupts the meaning of the sentence by forming an infinitive which does not perform as the given verb in the sentence.
Example: ‘I love ice cream’ is a correct sentence. ‘I love to ice cream’ is an incorrect sentence.

d) No error: This option is given to opt for if we do not find any error on the above given sentence.

Hence, the correct answer is option c.

Note:
The infinitive is referred to as a base form of a verb. There are two forms present infinitive: the to- infinitive (to+base) and zero infinitive (only base).
Example: I was asked to sit.
                 Please sit down.
Example: Quietly eat your lunch.
                  Would you like to eat something ?