Direction: The following item has one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives. I don't like stories
that have unhappy endings
Understanding Sentence Completion with Relative Clauses
This question asks us to complete the sentence "I don't like stories ______" by choosing the most appropriate alternative. We need to select a phrase that correctly and logically extends the main clause, describing the type of stories the speaker dislikes.
The main clause "I don't like stories" uses the present tense ("don't like") and expresses a general dislike for a certain category of stories. The alternatives provided are all relative clauses that modify the noun "stories," specifying what kind of stories are disliked.
Analyzing the Alternatives for Sentence Completion
Let's look at each option and evaluate its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in the context of the main sentence:
- Option 1: which can have unhappy endings
This option uses a relative clause with "which." "Can have" suggests a possibility. While grammatically possible, using "can have" makes the statement about a potential characteristic, not a definite one that defines the stories being disliked. Also, "that" is often preferred over "which" for restrictive clauses like this one, which identify the specific type of stories being discussed.
- Option 2: which had sad endings
This option uses the past tense verb "had." The main clause "I don't like stories" is in the present tense. Using the past tense "had sad endings" implies a dislike for stories that *in the past* possessed sad endings. However, the speaker expresses a general dislike in the present for a type of story, which is better described by a present tense verb describing a characteristic they *have*.
- Option 3: that have unhappy endings
This option uses a relative clause with "that." The verb "have" is in the present tense, which aligns with the main clause's present tense "don't like." "Have unhappy endings" describes a characteristic that defines the type of stories being disliked. This is a restrictive relative clause (it identifies *which* stories are being discussed), and "that" is typically used for restrictive clauses. This option is grammatically correct and fits the intended meaning of expressing a general dislike for stories characterized by unhappy endings.
- Option 4: which are unhappy endings
This option is grammatically incorrect. Stories are narratives; they are not "endings" themselves. Stories *have* or *contain* endings, but they *are* not endings. The verb "are" is misused here.
Conclusion on the Best Completion
Comparing the options, Option 3, "that have unhappy endings," is the most suitable completion. It uses the correct tense ("have") to match the main clause's present tense ("don't like") and correctly uses a relative clause ("that have unhappy endings") to describe the characteristic of the stories being disliked. Options 1 and 2 use less appropriate tenses or relative pronouns, and Option 4 is grammatically incorrect.
| Option | Relative Pronoun / Structure | Verb Tense | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. which can have unhappy endings | which / can have | Modal (can) + base form | Possibility; 'that' often preferred for restrictive. |
| 2. which had sad endings | which / had | Past | Tense mismatch with main clause ('don't like'). |
| 3. that have unhappy endings | that / have | Present | Correct tense, 'that' suitable for restrictive clause, describes characteristic. |
| 4. which are unhappy endings | which / are | Present (Be verb) | Grammatically incorrect; stories are not endings. |
Therefore, the sentence is best completed as: "I don't like stories that have unhappy endings."
Revision Table: Key Grammar Points
| Concept | Explanation | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Clauses | Clauses starting with words like 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which', 'that' used to modify a noun. | Options provide relative clauses modifying 'stories'. |
| 'That' vs 'Which' | 'That' is typically used for restrictive clauses (essential information to identify the noun). 'Which' is often used for non-restrictive clauses (additional, non-essential information). | The clause identifies the type of stories, making it restrictive, favouring 'that'. |
| Verb Tense Agreement | The tense used in a subordinate clause (like a relative clause) often relates to the tense or meaning of the main clause. | The main clause is present ("don't like"), requiring a present tense verb ("have") to describe a current characteristic. |
Additional Information: Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. They connect the clause to the noun they modify. The choice of pronoun depends on whether the noun refers to a person, thing, or possession, and whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive.
- That: Can refer to people, animals, or things. Most commonly used for restrictive clauses.
- Which: Refers to animals or things. Can be used for both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, but is often preferred for non-restrictive clauses. In American English, 'that' is strongly preferred for restrictive clauses referring to things.
- Who/Whom: Refers to people. 'Who' is used for the subject of the clause, 'whom' for the object (though 'who' is often used for the object in informal English).
- Whose: Indicates possession.
In this specific sentence completion question, "stories" refers to things, making "that" or "which" potential options. However, the clause identifies the specific type of stories being disliked, making it a restrictive clause, which is why "that" is the better choice in standard English grammar, especially in American English. The tense of the verb within the relative clause ("have" or "had" or "can have") is crucial for fitting the context of the main clause's tense ("don't like").
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