Directions: 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'. You must return back the book you borrowed last month.
must return
The question asks us to select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment "must return back" in the sentence: "You must return back the book you borrowed last month."
Let's carefully examine the underlined phrase and the sentence.
Understanding the Redundancy in "Return Back"
The word 'return' means to bring, give, or send something back to its original place or person. The 'back' part is already included in the meaning of 'return'. Using 'return back' is redundant, meaning it uses more words than necessary to express something that can be said more simply and clearly. It's like saying 'repeat again' or 'free gift'.
Therefore, the phrase "return back" is grammatically incorrect because of this redundancy.
Analysing the Original Sentence Structure
The sentence "You must return back the book you borrowed last month" is in the active voice. The subject "You" is performing the action "must return back" on the object "the book". The modal verb "must" indicates obligation.
Evaluating the Substitution Options
We need to find an option that corrects the redundancy and fits grammatically and contextually into the sentence. Let's look at each option:
- must be returned back: This option changes the sentence to the passive voice ('must be returned'). The subject performing the action would be 'the book', which is receiving the action. More importantly, it still includes the redundant word 'back'. This is not correct.
- No substitution required: As discussed, the original phrase "return back" is redundant and incorrect. Therefore, substitution is required. This option is incorrect.
- must return: This option removes the redundant 'back'. It keeps the verb 'return' and the modal verb 'must', maintaining the active voice and the original meaning of obligation for the subject "You" to perform the action on "the book". This corrects the redundancy and fits the sentence structure well.
- must be returned: This option removes the redundant 'back' and uses the correct verb 'return'. However, it changes the sentence to the passive voice ('must be returned'). While grammatically correct on its own, changing the voice from active to passive is generally not the most appropriate substitution unless the context specifically calls for it, especially when a correct active voice option is available that maintains the original structure and emphasis.
Why 'must return' is the Most Appropriate Substitution
The original sentence uses the active voice ("You must return..."). The most appropriate substitution should correct the grammatical error (redundancy of 'back') while disturbing the original structure and meaning as little as possible. Option 3, "must return", achieves this by simply removing the unnecessary 'back' while keeping the active voice ("You must return...") and the modal verb "must". This makes the sentence grammatically correct and concise: "You must return the book you borrowed last month."
Compared to option 4 ("must be returned"), which changes the voice to passive ("The book must be returned by you..."), option 3 is generally preferred for maintaining the original sentence's active construction and focus on the subject "You".
| Original Phrase | Substitution Option | Analysis | Correct? |
|---|---|---|---|
| must return back | must be returned back | Passive voice, includes redundant 'back'. | No |
| must return back | No substitution required | Original phrase is redundant and incorrect. | No |
| must return back | must return | Active voice, removes redundant 'back'. Corrects grammar. | Yes |
| must return back | must be returned | Passive voice, removes redundant 'back'. Changes voice from original. | Less Appropriate |
Based on this analysis, the most appropriate substitution for "must return back" is "must return".
Revision Table: Sentence Substitution Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Redundancy | Using unnecessary words that repeat meaning already present in other words. | "Return back", "repeat again", "free gift" |
| Active Voice | Subject performs the action (Subject + Verb + Object). | "You must return the book." |
| Passive Voice | Subject receives the action (Object + be + Past Participle + by + Subject). | "The book must be returned by you." |
| Modal Verbs | Verbs like 'must', 'should', 'can', 'will', 'may' used with a main verb to express possibility, necessity, permission, etc. | "You must return" |
Additional Information: Common Redundancies
Identifying and correcting redundancies improves clarity and conciseness in writing and speaking. Here are a few other common examples of redundant phrases to avoid:
- Add an additional (just 'add' or 'an additional')
- Basic fundamentals (just 'fundamentals' or 'basics')
- End result (just 'result' or 'end')
- Past history (just 'history' or 'past')
- Completely finish (just 'finish' or 'completely')
- Join together (just 'join')
- Meet together (just 'meet')
- New innovation (just 'innovation')
- Present time (just 'present' or 'now')
- Safe haven (just 'haven')
- Sum total (just 'sum' or 'total')
Being mindful of such redundancies helps in using language more effectively and precisely, which is often tested in sentence correction and substitution questions.
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 .
