Q.3 Consider the following sentences:
(i) Everybody in the class is prepared for the exam.
(ii) Babu invited Danish to his home because he enjoys playing
chess.
Which of the following is the CORRECT observation about the above two
sentences?
(A) (i) is grammatically correct and (ii) is unambiguous
(B) (i) is grammatically incorrect and (ii) is unambiguous
(C) (i) is grammatically correct and (ii) is ambiguous
(D) (i) is grammatically incorrect and (ii) is ambiguous

English grammar questions on ambiguity and correctness often trip up students in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, or academic tests. This article breaks down a classic example with two sentences: (i) “Everybody in the class is prepared for the exam” and (ii) “Babu invited Danish to his home because he enjoys playing chess.” We’ll analyze grammar, spot ambiguity, evaluate all options, and reveal the correct answer.

Sentence (i): Grammar Check – “Everybody in the Class is Prepared”

This sentence uses “everybody” as a singular indefinite pronoun, paired with the singular verb “is.” In standard English, pronouns like everybody, someone, or anyone take singular verbs.

For example:

• Correct: “Everybody is here.”

• Incorrect: “Everybody are here.”

No subject-verb agreement issues exist here. The sentence is clear, logical, and grammatically flawless. It unambiguously means every class member has exam prep done.

Sentence (ii): Spotting Ambiguity – “Babu Invited Danish Because He Enjoys Playing Chess”

At first glance, this seems straightforward. But pronouns create classic ambiguity. The word “he” could refer to:

• Babu (the inviter): Babu enjoys chess, so he invited Danish to play.

• Danish (the invitee): Danish loves chess, so Babu invited him over.

Without context, both interpretations work, making the sentence ambiguous. This is pronoun reference ambiguity, a key linguistics concept. Rewriting as “Babu invited Danish to his home because Babu enjoys playing chess” fixes it.

Correct Answer: Option (C)

(C) (i) is grammatically correct and (ii) is ambiguous

This matches our analysis perfectly. Sentence (i) has no grammar errors and zero ambiguity. Sentence (ii) is grammatically valid (proper structure, tense) but ambiguous due to “he.”

Explanation of All Options

Let’s evaluate each choice systematically:

• (A) (i) is grammatically correct and (ii) is unambiguous
  Wrong. While (i) is correct, (ii) is ambiguous— “he” creates dual meanings.

• (B) (i) is grammatically incorrect and (ii) is unambiguous
  Incorrect on both counts. (i) follows singular verb rules perfectly, and (ii) has pronoun ambiguity.

• (C) (i) is grammatically correct and (ii) is ambiguous
  Correct. Nails the grammar of (i) and ambiguity in (ii). Ideal for exams testing nuance.

• (D) (i) is grammatically incorrect and (ii) is ambiguous
  Half-right. (ii) is ambiguous, but (i) is fully grammatical—no errors.

Why These Questions Matter in Exams

Ambiguity tests structural linguistics, while grammar checks subject-verb agreement. Practice similar pairs: “The coach saw the player with binoculars” (who has binoculars?). Master these for better scores in English sections.

For more grammar breakdowns, check resources like Wren & Martin or Purdue OWL.