Directions: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four options. Select whichever preposition or determiner you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. A woman who always connives ________ her children to hide their faults, is their worst enemy.
with
Understanding the Verb 'Connive' and Prepositions
The question asks us to choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence: "A woman who always connives ________ her children to hide their faults, is their worst enemy." The key is to understand how the verb 'connive' is used with different prepositions.
Meaning of 'Connive'
The verb 'connive' means to conspire, to cooperate secretly, or to plot with someone. It can also mean to secretly allow or passively assent to something considered wrong or illegal.
Using Prepositions with 'Connive'
The verb 'connive' is commonly used with two prepositions: 'with' and 'at'. The choice of preposition depends on what follows the verb.
- Connive with: This structure is used when you are cooperating or conspiring with a person or group to do something, often something wrong or secret. You are participating actively alongside them.
- Connive at: This structure is used when you are secretly allowing, ignoring, or assenting to an action or situation that is considered wrong or illegal. You are not necessarily participating yourself, but you are letting it happen without objection.
Analyzing the Sentence
The sentence is: "A woman who always connives ________ her children to hide their faults, is their worst enemy."
In this sentence, the woman is performing the action of conniving with her children. Her children are the people she is cooperating with to hide faults. The phrase "to hide their faults" explains the purpose of the conniving, which is done jointly with the children.
Since the blank is followed by "her children" (people), the preposition 'with' is appropriate here to indicate cooperation or conspiracy with them.
Evaluating the Options
- with: This fits the context perfectly. The woman is cooperating with her children in the act of hiding faults.
- by: 'Connive by' is not a standard phrasal verb construction in this context.
- at: 'Connive at' would be used if the sentence was about the woman allowing or ignoring the act of hiding faults, for example, "She connives at the hiding of faults by her children." But here, she is actively participating with the children.
- for: 'Connive for' is not a standard phrasal verb construction.
Based on the usage rules and the context of the sentence, 'with' is the only correct preposition.
Correct Preposition is 'With'
The sentence correctly uses 'connives with' because the woman is conspiring or cooperating directly with her children. This highlights her active participation alongside them in hiding faults.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Connive with + Person(s) | To cooperate or conspire together | He connived with his colleagues. |
| Connive at + Action/Situation | To secretly allow or ignore something wrong | She connived at their dishonest behaviour. |
Revision Table: English Preposition Usage with Connive
| Verb + Preposition | Usage Context |
|---|---|
| Connive with | Used when cooperating or conspiring with someone. |
| Connive at | Used when secretly allowing or ignoring an action or situation. |
Additional Information: Mastering English Grammar
Understanding which preposition follows a specific verb is crucial for correct English grammar. These verb-preposition combinations are often fixed and need to be learned. Pay attention to the noun or phrase that comes after the blank space, as it often indicates whether you need a preposition that refers to a person, a place, an action, or a situation.
In this case, "her children" is a group of people, leading us to choose 'with', indicating cooperation with those people. Learning common phrasal verbs and verb-preposition combinations through practice is key to improving your command of English.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
Direction : Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
There was a time when West Germany was a distinct ______.
Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
My son is very _____, he trusts everyone.Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
I wish I _____ her before we met.Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
I accepted the offer _______ certain conditions.
Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
He visits the needy to relieve them ______ their sufferings and poverty.
