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”. Although India is still by far a poor country, it can become rich if its natural and human resources are fully utilized.
by and large
Improve Sentence Structure: Understanding "By Far" and "By and Large"
The question asks us to select the best alternative to improve the underlined part "by far a poor country" in the sentence: "Although India is still by far a poor country, it can become rich if its natural and human resources are fully utilized." We need to understand the meaning of the underlined phrase and the provided options to determine which one fits the context best.
Analyzing the Underlined Phrase: "By Far"
The phrase "by far" is an idiom meaning 'by a great margin' or 'significantly'. It is typically used with superlative or comparative adjectives and adverbs to emphasize the extent of a quality. For example:
- Mount Everest is by far the highest mountain. (Superlative)
- This book is by far more interesting than the last one. (Comparative)
- She runs by far the fastest. (Superlative adverb)
In the original sentence, "by far" is used before "a poor country". While it emphasizes the extent of poverty, using it in this structure ("by far a [adjective] noun") is less common or can sound slightly awkward compared to using it with a comparative or superlative. The sentence is making a general statement about India's current economic state in contrast to its potential. The phrase "by far" suggests an extreme degree which might not be the most suitable way to describe a general state in this contrasting context.
Evaluating the Options for Sentence Improvement
Let's look at the meanings of the given options:
- few and far between: This idiom means 'not happening or existing very often; rare'. Example: Opportunities like this are few and far between. This meaning does not fit the context of describing a country's general economic condition.
- by and large: This idiom means 'generally' or 'for the most part'. It is used to state something that is generally true, even if there are exceptions. Example: By and large, students performed well in the exam. This fits the context of describing India's general economic state.
- by and by: This idiom means 'gradually' or 'eventually'. Example: Things will get better by and by. This refers to something happening in the future, not the current state.
- No improvement: This would mean the original phrase "by far a poor country" is the best fit.
Determining the Best Fit
The sentence contrasts India's current state with its potential future state ("if its natural and human resources are fully utilized"). The phrase needed should describe the current general condition of the country. "By and large" meaning 'generally' or 'for the most part' perfectly conveys this idea. It indicates that generally, India is a poor country, while acknowledging the possibility of change. "By far" emphasizes an extreme degree, which doesn't fit as smoothly with the general statement contrasting current reality and future potential. The other options, "few and far between" and "by and by," are completely unsuitable based on their meanings.
Therefore, "by and large" is the most appropriate phrase to improve the underlined part of the sentence, making the statement about India's current general economic condition clear before presenting the condition for it to become rich.
Revision Table: Understanding Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning | Contextual Fit in Sentence? |
|---|---|---|
| by far | By a great margin; significantly (often with comparatives/superlatives) | Less suitable for a general statement contrasting present and future potential. |
| few and far between | Rare; not happening often | No, incorrect meaning. |
| by and large | Generally; for the most part | Yes, suitable for describing a general state. |
| by and by | Gradually; eventually | No, refers to the future, not the current state. |
Additional Information on Idioms and Sentence Improvement
Understanding common English idioms is crucial for sentence improvement questions. Idioms are phrases where the meaning is not obvious from the individual words. Replacing an idiom with another, or a standard phrase, requires knowing their specific meanings and the context of the sentence.
In sentence improvement tasks, always:
- Read the original sentence carefully to grasp its full meaning and the intended nuance.
- Analyze the underlined part to identify potential grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or inappropriate word choice.
- Examine each option provided. Understand the meaning of alternative words or phrases.
- Substitute each option into the original sentence and see if it makes sense and improves clarity or correctness.
- Consider the overall flow and tone of the sentence.
This systematic approach helps in choosing the most effective and appropriate improvement for the sentence.
Similar Questions
Directions : Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words or group of words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word/words and mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
The Arabs who are not in the cities live in the desert throughout the year, shifting from one oasis to another.
In this section, look at underlined part of each sentence. There are three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a), (b), or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D).
He ought not to tell me your secret, but he did.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).
The more they earn, more they spend .
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
But in all these cases conversion from one scale to another is easy because scales have well-formulated .
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”.
Five years ago on this date, I am sitting in a small Japanese car, driving across Poland towards Berlin.
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
The old man felled some trees in the garden with hardly no effort at all.
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
She says she's already paid me back, but I can't remember, so I'll have to take her word .
In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.
The workers are hell-bent at getting what is due to them.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).
You are warned against committing the same mistake again.
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”.
While we would like that all Indian children to go to school, we need to ponder why they do not.
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 word segment that substitutes (replaces) the bracketed word segment correctly and completes the sentence meaningfully. Select the option 'no correction required' if the sentence is correct as given.
In simple words ‘Welfare’ (mean a state of well being and happy.) 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.
