Parts of the following sentence are given as options. Identify the segment that contain a grammatical error.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Advertisers have even known to play
The structure be known to + verb is passive: "They have been known to do something" means they are known to have done it on occasions. The helping verb been is missing in the first part.
Option 1: Advertisers have even known to play — Error. "Have known to play" is not English in this sense; it should be "Advertisers have even been known to play".
Option 2: with the idea of fact and opinion — No error. Play with an idea (treat it lightly) is correct.
Option 3: by making claims which are — No error. By + -ing shows the means, and "which" refers to the claims.
Option 4: clearly ridiculous but stating them as facts — No error. "Stating" is parallel to "making".
Corrected: Advertisers have even been known to play with the idea of fact and opinion by making claims which are clearly ridiculous but stating them as facts.
Example: He has been known to work through the night.