Phrases

This question type is also one of the most commonly found questions across all examinations. In this type,a sentence is given with either one or two underlined portions of text, and the student has to choose from among three or four options the option that best replaces the underlined text(s). In the case that the sentence is correct, the student can select the option that says ‘No Improvement’.

The underlined text may have grammatical errors,or it may need to be worded in a more coherent way.

Types of Questions

1. The sentence contains only one underlined phrase that must be replaced from the given options.

2. The sentence contains two underlined phrases that must each be replaced from the given options. This type of question is solved primarily by elimination of unsuitable answer choices.

Tips for Solving

Step 1: Read the sentence carefully at first, and try to ascertain if it indeed needs improvement. Do not look at the answer choices first. Once you read the answer choices, you have a tendency to read the sentence as they suggest.

Step 2: Keep in mind that the sentence may need improvement and not correction. Even if some of the answer choices may be grammatically correct, it is not necessary that they are the right answer, especially if the given sentence is already correct and needs no improvement.

Step 3: If the sentence sounds incorrect or is ambiguous, read the sentence by putting each answer choice in place of the underlined text.

Step 4: Eliminate options that make the sentence too long or complicated .

Step 5: Choose the most suitable answer out of the remaining options.

Questions and Answers on Phrases

Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically correct. if the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No correction is required’, mark (5) as the answer. Answers are in Bold

Question 1 :

The executive had received several warnings before been suspended finally for his lack of punctuality.

(1) after suspended

(2) after suspending

(3) before suspended

(4) before being suspended

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (4), before being suspended

Question 2 :

Accordingly to the senior partner’s instructions they have remitted the amount to your bankers.

(1) Accordingly as

(2) On accord of

(3) In accordance with

(4) According to

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (4), According to

Question 3 :

Since the collapse of his business he has become frequent depressed and addicted to alcohol.

(1) frequent depression and addicted for

(2) frequently depress and addict to

(3) frequently depressing and addicted on

(4) frequently depressed and addicted to

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (4),  frequently depressed and addicted to

Question 4 :

The museum has planned of a ten day exhibition showcasing the rich culture of the South.

(1) plan for

(2) has planned for

(3) planning on

(4) have a plan

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (2),  has planned for

Question 5 :

The government will refrain from intervening in the dispute except the company requests it to do so.

(1) with the dispute except

(2) in the dispute unless

(3) to the dispute excepting

(4) in the dispute without

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (5), No correction required

Question 6 :

The issue of employee pension schemes will come to the Governing Board meeting next week.

(1) shall come about to

(2) will come before

(3) will come up at

(4) shall come to

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (2), will come before

Question 7 :

The steep rise in is the reason on account of which we must conserve energy.

(1) the reason

(2) the reason to

(3) the reason because

(4) the reason for

(5) No correction required

Ans: Option (5), No correction required