Directions: Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed select ‘No improvement required’. He will lose all his wealth if he doesn't mends his ways.
doesn't mend
Improving Sentence Structure: "Doesn't Mends" Analysis
The original sentence provided is, "He will lose all his wealth if he doesn't mends his ways." We need to examine the underlined part, "doesn't mends," and determine if it is grammatically correct and how to improve it if necessary.
The phrase "doesn't mends" is found in the conditional clause ("if he doesn't mends his ways"). Let's look closely at the grammar involved.
Analyzing the Grammatical Error
In English, when we use auxiliary verbs like 'do', 'does', 'did', and their negative forms 'don't', 'doesn't', 'didn't', the main verb that follows must be in its base form (the infinitive without 'to').
- The base form of the verb "mends" is "mend".
- The subject of the clause is "he", which is a third person singular pronoun.
- The auxiliary verb used is "doesn't" (does not), which is correct for a third person singular subject in the present tense negative.
- However, the verb following "doesn't" should be the base form, "mend", not "mends".
Therefore, "doesn't mends" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "mends" includes the '-s' ending which is already accounted for by the auxiliary verb "doesn't".
Evaluating the Improvement Options
Let's consider the given options to find the correct way to phrase the underlined part:
- No improvement required: This option suggests the original "doesn't mends" is correct. As we've established, it is not, because the base form "mend" is needed after "doesn't". So, this option is incorrect.
- do not mend: This option uses the auxiliary "do not". "Do not" is used with subjects like 'I', 'you', 'we', 'they', and plural nouns. Since the subject here is "he" (third person singular), "do not" is incorrect. The correct auxiliary is "does not" or "doesn't". So, this option is incorrect.
- don't mends: This option uses "don't" (do not) and the incorrect form "mends". "Don't" is incorrect for the subject "he", and "mends" is incorrect after an auxiliary verb. So, this option is incorrect.
- doesn't mend: This option uses the correct auxiliary verb "doesn't" for the subject "he" and the correct base form of the verb "mend" after the auxiliary. This follows the rule that the base form is used after 'doesn't'. So, this option is correct.
Correcting the Sentence
Based on the analysis, the phrase "doesn't mend" correctly replaces "doesn't mends". The improved sentence is:
"He will lose all his wealth if he doesn't mend his ways."
| Auxiliary Verb (Negative) | Subject Example | Main Verb Form | Correct Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| do not (don't) | I, You, We, They, Plural nouns | Base Form | They don't go. |
| does not (doesn't) | He, She, It, Singular nouns | Base Form | He doesn't go. |
| did not (didn't) | All subjects | Base Form | She didn't go. |
Revision Table: Subject-Verb Agreement and Auxiliaries
| Concept | Explanation | Application Here |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The verb must agree with its subject in number (singular/plural) and person (1st, 2nd, 3rd). | 'He' is 3rd person singular, requiring 'does'/'doesn't'. |
| Auxiliary Verbs + Main Verb | After 'do', 'does', 'did', 'don't', 'doesn't', 'didn't', the main verb is always in its base form. | After 'doesn't', use the base form 'mend', not 'mends'. |
| Conditional Sentences (Type 1) | If + present simple, will + infinitive. Used for real or likely conditions and their results. | "If he doesn't mend..." (present simple negative) + "...he will lose..." (will + infinitive). |
Additional Information: Conditional Sentences Type 1
The sentence structure "If + present simple, will + base verb" is typical of a Type 1 Conditional sentence. This type is used to talk about a real or possible situation in the future and its likely result.
- Structure: If + subject + verb (present simple), subject + will + base form of verb.
- Example: If it rains (present simple), we will stay (will + base verb) indoors.
- In our sentence, the condition is "if he doesn't mend his ways" (present simple negative), and the result is "he will lose all his wealth" (will + base verb).
Understanding conditional sentences helps ensure that the verb tense and form in both parts of the sentence are correct. The correction we made ("doesn't mend") ensures the verb in the 'if' clause is correctly formed in the present simple tense for the subject 'he'.
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In simple words ‘Welfare’ (mean a state of well being and happy.)
