Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d). You are warned against committing the same mistake again.
No improvement
English Grammar: Understanding 'Warned Against'
The question asks us to evaluate the underlined phrase “against committing” in the sentence “You are warned against committing the same mistake again.” We need to determine if any of the provided substitutions are grammatically better than the original phrasing.
Analyzing the Original Sentence and Phrase
The sentence uses the passive voice structure “You are warned” followed by the preposition “against” and then the gerund “committing”. Let's look at the standard grammatical patterns related to the verb “warn”.
Grammar Rule: Verb Forms After 'Warn Against'
The verb “warn” when followed by the preposition “against” is typically followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb acting as a noun). This structure is used to warn someone not to do something.
- Structure: warn + someone + against + gerund (-ing form)
- Example: They warned us against swimming in the dangerous currents.
- Example: She warned him against investing all his money in one stock.
In the passive voice, the structure becomes:
- Structure: subject + be + warned + against + gerund (-ing form)
- Example: We were warned against swimming in the dangerous currents.
- Example: He was warned against investing all his money in one stock.
The original sentence “You are warned against committing the same mistake again” follows this standard structure perfectly: “You are warned” (passive subject + be + warned) + “against” (preposition) + “committing” (gerund).
Evaluating the Substitution Options
Let's examine each option provided:
- to commit: This option suggests replacing “against committing” with “to commit”. The infinitive form “to commit” is generally not used immediately after “warned against”. While “warn” can be followed by an infinitive (e.g., “They warned him not to go”), the structure “warn against” requires a gerund. Therefore, “You are warned to commit...” completely changes the meaning and is grammatically incorrect in this context.
- for committing: This option suggests replacing “against committing” with “for committing”. The phrase “warned for” is not a standard idiom to express being cautioned not to do something. One might be “punished for committing” or “reprimanded for committing”, but not typically “warned for committing” in the sense of being cautioned beforehand. The standard structure for caution is “warn against”.
- against to commit: This option attempts to use “against” but incorrectly follows it with an infinitive “to commit”. As discussed, the preposition “against” when used in the structure “warn against” must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive. This combination is grammatically incorrect.
- No improvement: This option indicates that the original sentence “You are warned against committing the same mistake again” is grammatically correct and no better substitution exists among the given choices. Based on the standard rules of English grammar regarding the phrase “warn against”, the original sentence is indeed correct.
Conclusion
The original sentence uses the correct grammatical structure “warned against” followed by a gerund “committing”. None of the provided substitutions offer a grammatically correct or better alternative in the context of warning someone not to do something.
| Phrase | Grammatical Correctness | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| against committing | Correct | Standard structure: warned against + gerund |
| to commit | Incorrect | Incorrect verb form after warned against |
| for committing | Incorrect | Incorrect preposition; changes meaning |
| against to commit | Incorrect | Incorrect verb form after against |
Therefore, the original sentence requires no improvement.
Revision Table: Reviewing Sentence Improvement
| Original Sentence Part | Option | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| against committing | a) to commit | Incorrect substitution; does not fit the “warn against” structure. |
| against committing | b) for committing | Incorrect substitution; “warned for” is not the standard cautionary idiom. |
| against committing | c) against to commit | Incorrect substitution; “against” must be followed by a gerund in this context. |
| against committing | d) No improvement | Correct option; the original sentence is grammatically sound. |
Additional Information: Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
Understanding which verb forms follow certain verbs or prepositions is crucial in English grammar. Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, sometimes with a change in meaning, while others strictly require one or the other.
- Verbs followed by gerunds: admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, mind, suggest, etc. (e.g., I enjoy reading.)
- Verbs followed by infinitives: agree, decide, hope, plan, promise, refuse, want, etc. (e.g., I hope to pass.)
- Verbs followed by either (with meaning change): remember, forget, stop, try. (e.g., I stopped smoking vs. I stopped to smoke.)
Prepositions like “against”, “in”, “on”, “of”, “for”, “with” are typically followed by a noun or a gerund (which functions as a noun).
- Example: Thank you for helping me. (“helping” is a gerund)
- Example: She is good at drawing. (“drawing” is a gerund)
- Example: They argued about winning the prize. (“winning” is a gerund)
In the case of “warn against”, “against” is a preposition, and it is followed by the gerund “committing” because the action being warned against is treated as a noun concept.
Similar Questions
Directions : Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words or group of words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word/words and mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
The Arabs who are not in the cities live in the desert throughout the year, shifting from one oasis to another.
In this section, look at underlined part of each sentence. There are three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a), (b), or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D).
He ought not to tell me your secret, but he did.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
Although India is still by far a poor country, it can become rich if its natural and human resources are fully utilized.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).
The more they earn, more they spend .
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
But in all these cases conversion from one scale to another is easy because scales have well-formulated .
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
Five years ago on this date, I am sitting in a small Japanese car, driving across Poland towards Berlin.
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
The old man felled some trees in the garden with hardly no effort at all.
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
She says she's already paid me back, but I can't remember, so I'll have to take her word .
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
The workers are hell-bent at getting what is due to them.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
While we would like that all Indian children to go to school, we need to ponder why they do not.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, No substitution required.
Not knowing the language and having no acquaintances in the city, he found it hard getting work.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.
We had been almost halfway there when the left rear tyre blew out
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.
The man spent a lot because he had so large amount of money.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’.
In the past, promises have been made, kept, and broken, and they are being make yet again.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’.
September is one of the busiest months of the year, with a range of different tasks at hand
