Direction: Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'. Our debating team is superior to theirs .
No substitution required
Sentence Correction: Using 'Superior to' Correctly
This question asks us to evaluate the underlined phrase "superior to theirs" in the sentence "Our debating team is superior to theirs" and determine if it needs substitution.
Let's analyze the structure and grammar involved, focusing on the correct usage of the adjective 'superior'.
Understanding 'Superior' in Comparisons
The adjective 'superior' is used to indicate that something is better or of a higher quality than something else. When making comparisons with 'superior', the correct preposition to use is typically 'to', not 'than' or 'from'.
- Correct: superior to
- Incorrect: superior than
- Incorrect: superior from
This rule applies to several adjectives ending in '-ior' that originate from Latin, such as 'inferior', 'prior', 'junior', 'senior', 'anterior', 'posterior', etc.
Analyzing the Sentence and Options
The original sentence is: "Our debating team is superior to theirs."
Here, "superior" is followed by "to," which aligns with the correct grammatical rule for using 'superior' in a comparison. The comparison is between "Our debating team" and "theirs". "Theirs" is a possessive pronoun that stands for "their debating team". This is the correct pronoun form to use when comparing one team to another team belonging to someone else.
Let's look at the options:
-
superior from them
This is incorrect. 'Superior' is followed by 'to', not 'from'. Also, 'them' is a simple object pronoun. The comparison is between two teams, so a possessive form like 'theirs' (meaning 'their team') is needed.
-
No substitution required
The original sentence uses "superior to" correctly and employs the possessive pronoun "theirs" to refer to "their debating team". The sentence is grammatically correct as it stands.
-
superior than theirs
This is incorrect. 'Superior' takes the preposition 'to', not the conjunction 'than', for comparison.
-
superior to them
While "superior to" is correct, "them" is incorrect in this context. "Them" refers to the people themselves, not their debating team. The comparison is between "Our debating team" and "their debating team," which is represented by the possessive pronoun "theirs".
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the original sentence "Our debating team is superior to theirs" is grammatically correct. It correctly uses "superior to" and the appropriate possessive pronoun "theirs". Therefore, no substitution is required.
Revision Table: Key Grammar Points
| Concept | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Using 'Superior' | Followed by 'to' for comparison. | This product is superior to that one. |
| Other -ior Adjectives | Often followed by 'to'. (e.g., inferior, prior, junior, senior) | His rank is senior to mine. The meeting is prior to lunch. |
| Possessive Pronouns | Replace a possessive adjective + noun (e.g., 'theirs' replaces 'their team'). Used to show possession or relationship when the noun is understood from context. | My car is red, and theirs is blue. (theirs = their car) |
Additional Information: Pronoun Usage in Comparison
When comparing two entities, it is important to use parallel structure and the correct pronoun case. In the sentence, we are comparing "Our debating team" to "their debating team".
- "Our debating team" is a noun phrase.
- To compare it to another team, we can use:
- "their debating team" (possessive adjective + noun)
- "theirs" (possessive pronoun, standing for "their debating team")
- Using just "them" would be comparing "Our debating team" to the people themselves, which changes the meaning and is not parallel structure.
So, "superior to theirs" is the correct way to compare "Our debating team" to "their debating team".
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
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”
My old teacher gave many poor students money in spite of he was poor.
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”.
You should to read the newspaper regularly if you want to be well-informed.
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”.
If he had listening to me he would not have got lost.
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”
He asked for a bank loan also he didn't have sufficient resources.
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”.
I went to the shop to buy some stationeries .
