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.
all Indian children
Understanding Sentence Improvement and Grammatical Structures
The question asks us to identify the best way to improve the underlined part of the sentence: "While we would like that all Indian children to go to school, we need to ponder why they do not." We need to analyze the grammatical structure involving the verb "like".
Analyzing the Original Sentence Structure
The phrase "like that all Indian children to go" uses the structure "like that [noun phrase] to [verb]". This structure is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English when expressing a desire for someone to do something. The common and correct structure after "like" in this context is "like [noun phrase] to [verb]".
For example:
- Incorrect: I would like that you to finish your homework.
- Correct: I would like you to finish your homework.
Similarly, in our sentence, the inclusion of "that" after "like" is incorrect.
Evaluating the Improvement Options
Let's examine each provided option:
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Option 1: that all the Indian children
This option replaces "that all Indian children to go to school" with "that all the Indian children". If we insert this into the original sentence, it becomes "While we would like that all the Indian children to go to school...". This still retains the incorrect "that" after "like" and changes "Indian children" to "the Indian children", which doesn't fix the primary grammatical error. The structure remains incorrect.
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Option 2: if all the children of India
This option replaces the underlined part, potentially leading to "While we would like if all the children of India to go to school...". Using "if" after "like" in this context fundamentally changes the meaning or makes the sentence awkward and grammatically incorrect. "Like if..." typically introduces a hypothetical situation, not a desire for something to happen.
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Option 3: all Indian children
This option replaces the underlined part, resulting in "While we would like all Indian children to go to school...". The complete sentence becomes "While we would like all Indian children to go to school, we need to ponder why they do not." This sentence uses the correct grammatical structure "like [noun phrase] to [verb]", which is "like all Indian children to go". This structure correctly expresses the desire for all Indian children to go to school.
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Option 4: No improvement
As analyzed earlier, the original sentence contains a grammatical error with the structure "like that... to go". Therefore, improvement is needed.
Conclusion on Sentence Improvement
Comparing the options, only option 3 corrects the grammatical error in the original sentence by removing the unnecessary and incorrect word "that". It results in a grammatically sound and natural-sounding sentence.
Revision Table: Comparing Options
| Option | Proposed Improvement | Resulting Structure | Grammatical Correctness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | that all Indian children to go to school | like that [NP] to [Verb] | Incorrect |
| 1 | that all the Indian children | like that [NP] to [Verb] | Incorrect (retains 'that') |
| 2 | if all the children of India | like if [NP] to [Verb] | Incorrect/Awkward |
| 3 | all Indian children | like [NP] to [Verb] | Correct |
| 4 | No improvement | - | Original is incorrect |
Additional Information: Verb Structures with "Like"
The verb "like" can be followed by different structures depending on the intended meaning:
- Like + Noun/Pronoun: Expressing preference for something. Example: "I like coffee."
- Like + Gerund (-ing): Expressing enjoyment of an activity in general. Example: "I like swimming."
- Like + Infinitive (to + verb): Expressing that something is a good idea or a habit, or sometimes a preference for a specific action. Example: "I like to swim in the morning."
- Would like + Noun/Pronoun: Expressing a polite request or desire for something specific. Example: "I would like a glass of water."
- Would like + Infinitive (to + verb): Expressing a specific desire or intention. Example: "I would like to go home now."
- Would like + Object + Infinitive (to + verb): Expressing a desire for someone else to do something. Example: "I would like you to help me." This is the structure relevant to the question, confirming that "would like [noun phrase] to [verb]" is correct, and "would like that [noun phrase] to [verb]" is not.
Understanding these different structures is crucial for correct sentence construction and grammar improvement.
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.
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.
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.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
Directions: Which of the following phrases at 1, 2, 3, and 4 given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is 'correct' as it is and 'NO correction required' mark 5 as the answer.
If the evidence bear out the charge, he may be sentenced to death.
Select the most appropriate word to substitute the underlined word of the given sentence. If no substitution is required, select ‘No improvement’.
There is a great degrade in value s in modern age.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
No effort has been made by the Indian cricket team to cash off on its vibrant image in the World Cup.
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 improvement’.
As many as I care for her, I still have to disagree with her on this topic.
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 improvement’.
Prithvi likes baseball as long as she likes cricket.
