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Question

Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

Dan was very quiet. He didn't say a word

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

the entire evening

Completing Sentences with Correct Time Phrases

The question asks us to complete the sentence fragment "Dan was very quiet. He didn't say a word..." by choosing the most grammatically correct and natural-sounding phrase from the given options.

Analyzing the Sentence Fragment and Options

The sentence describes someone being quiet and not speaking for a period of time. We need a phrase that indicates the duration of this silence, specifically covering the entire evening.

Let's look at the options provided:
  1. all the evening
  2. the entire evening
  3. all the entire evening
  4. entire evening

Evaluating Each Option

  • Option 1: all the evening - This phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate the duration of something throughout the evening. For example, "He stayed home all the evening."
  • Option 2: the entire evening - This phrase is also grammatically correct and is synonymous with "all the evening." "Entire" means the whole or complete part of something. Using "the entire evening" effectively conveys that the silence lasted from the beginning to the end of the evening.
  • Option 3: all the entire evening - This phrase is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Using both "all" and "entire" together in this way is not standard English usage.
  • Option 4: entire evening - This phrase is grammatically incorrect because it is missing the necessary article "the" before "entire evening" when referring to a specific period of time like "the evening." We would say "the entire book" or "the entire house," always including "the."

Determining the Correct Completion

Both "all the evening" and "the entire evening" are valid and correct ways to complete the sentence. However, based on the provided correct answer, we will focus on why "the entire evening" is a suitable and proper choice.

The phrase "the entire evening" clearly indicates the full duration of the evening, emphasizing that Dan remained silent for that whole period. It is a concise and grammatically sound way to express this idea.

Therefore, completing the sentence with "the entire evening" results in:

"Dan was very quiet. He didn't say a word the entire evening."

This sentence is grammatically correct and perfectly conveys the intended meaning.

Understanding Time Phrases: 'All the...' vs. 'The Entire...'

Phrases like "all the..." and "the entire..." are used to refer to the complete duration or extent of a period or object. They are often interchangeable when referring to time periods like "evening," "day," "week," etc.

  • "He read all the book." (less common) or "He read the entire book." (more common for objects)
  • "She slept all the day." or "She slept the entire day." (both common for time periods)
  • "We talked all the evening." or "We talked the entire evening." (both common for time periods)

In the context of time, both structures are generally acceptable, although one might sound slightly more formal or common depending on the specific noun and region.

Revision Table: Analyzing Options Again

Option Phrase Grammar Check Suitability
1 all the evening Correct Suitable
2 the entire evening Correct Suitable
3 all the entire evening Incorrect (Redundant) Not suitable
4 entire evening Incorrect (Missing 'the') Not suitable

Based on the analysis, options 1 and 2 are grammatically correct and fit the context. The provided correct answer aligns with option 2, "the entire evening."

Additional Information: Similar Time Expressions

Here are some other ways to express a duration covering a whole period:

  • Throughout the evening
  • The whole evening
  • From start to finish of the evening

These alternative phrases also convey a similar meaning to "all the evening" and "the entire evening." Understanding these variations helps improve vocabulary and sentence structure skills.

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