In the following sentence, one part is highlighted as grammatically correct. Identify the part among the other four that contains a grammatical error, or select "No error" if the sentence is correct as a whole.

If an invention claimed in (A) / a patent can be (B) / shown to exist or (C) / **been described previously, it** / invalidates the patent. (D) / No error (E)

Question

In the following sentence, one part is highlighted as grammatically correct. Identify the part among the other four that contains a grammatical error, or select "No error" if the sentence is correct as a whole.

If an invention claimed in (A) / a patent can be (B) / shown to exist or (C) / **been described previously, it** / invalidates the patent. (D) / No error (E)

Accepted Answer

**Solution:**

1. The sentence is: "If an invention claimed in (A) / a patent can be (B) / shown to exist or (C) / been described previously, it / invalidates the patent. (D) / No error (E)"

2. The highlighted part (C) "shown to exist or" is correct, but the next part (C) "been described previously" is incorrect.

3. The phrase "been described previously" is grammatically incorrect here because after "can be shown to exist or", the parallel structure requires "can be described previously" instead of "been described previously".

4. Correct form: "If an invention claimed in a patent can be shown to exist or can be described previously, it invalidates the patent."

5. Therefore, the error lies in part (C).

**Answer:** (c) C

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