DIRECTIONS : In the following question, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below are given alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is required, choose "No Improvement" option. The sailor opened the knot to hoist the flag.
untied
Improving the Sentence: Untying a Knot
The original sentence is: "The sailor opened the knot to hoist the flag."
We need to evaluate the underlined part, "opened the knot," and see if there's a better way to express this action in English.
When dealing with knots, the standard verb used to undo them is "untie." While "open" can have many meanings, it is not the typical verb used for dissolving a knot. You might open a box, open a door, or open a book, but you untie a knot.
Analyzing the Options for 'opened the knot'
- untie: This is the correct verb to use for undoing a knot. However, the original sentence uses the past tense verb "opened," implying the action already happened. "untie" is the present tense form.
- open: This is the same verb as used in the original sentence's underlined part. As explained, "open a knot" is not standard English usage.
- No improvement: Since "opened the knot" is not standard English, improvement is required.
- untied: This is the correct verb to use for undoing a knot ("untie") and it is in the past tense ("untied"), matching the tense of the original sentence ("opened"). This fits the context of an action completed in the past.
Choosing the Correct Improvement for the Knot Action
The sentence describes an action that took place in the past ("The sailor..."). Therefore, the improved verb should also be in the past tense.
The correct and standard way to express the action of undoing a knot is using the verb "untie". In the past tense, "untie" becomes "untied".
Replacing "opened the knot" with "untied the knot" makes the sentence grammatically correct and uses the appropriate vocabulary for the action described.
The improved sentence would be: "The sailor untied the knot to hoist the flag."
Therefore, the correct alternative is "untied".
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
