Question
Choose the statement where underlined word is used correctly.
Official answer and solution
- Official answer
- C
- From
- Official GATE 2015 answer key
Solution
Distinguish between the homophones 'personal' (private, individual) and 'personnel' (staff, employees).
The noun 'personnel' refers to people employed in an organization or military force.
The adjective 'personal' refers to an individual's private life, belongings, or emotions.
Evaluating each option:
- (A) 'personnel jet' is incorrect; it should be 'personal jet' (a private jet).
- (B) 'personnel diary' is incorrect; it should be 'personal diary'.
- (C) 'All personnel are being given the day off' correctly uses 'personnel' to denote the organization's staff members.
- (D) 'personnel aspect' is incorrect; it should be 'personal aspect'.
Final answer
C
Common trap
Confusing the spelling and parts of speech of 'personal' (adjective) and 'personnel' (plural/collective noun).
The answer is the one in the official GATE answer key. The solution is this site's own explanation.
Source
- Paper
- GATE 2015 Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) Session 2
- Question
- 2 of 65, printed as GA Q.2
- Section
- General Aptitude
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