In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". The cost of a cylinder then (was) about ₹18.
No improvement
Understanding Sentence Improvement and Verb Usage
This question asks us to identify the best way to improve the bracketed part of the sentence: "The cost of a cylinder then (was) about ₹18." We need to look at the subject of the sentence, the tense indicated, and the options provided to see if the original verb "was" is correct or if it needs to be replaced.
Analyzing the Sentence Structure
Let's break down the sentence:
- Subject: "The cost"
- Verb: "(was)"
- Adverbial Phrase: "then"
- Complement: "about ₹18"
The main subject of the sentence is "cost". "Cost" is a singular noun. The word "then" is an adverb that indicates a specific point in the past. Therefore, we need a singular verb that is in the past tense.
Evaluating the Verb "was"
The verb "was" is the past tense form of the verb "to be". It is used with singular subjects (like "I", "he", "she", "it", and singular nouns like "cost"). Since our subject "cost" is singular and the sentence refers to a past time ("then"), the verb "was" correctly agrees with the subject in number and tense.
Examining the Improvement Options
Let's look at the provided options and see if any of them would be a better fit:
| Option | Verb Form | Tense | Number (Subject Agreement) | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| is | is | Present | Singular | Incorrect tense. The sentence refers to a past time ("then"). |
| are | are | Present | Plural | Incorrect tense ("then" refers to past) and incorrect number (subject "cost" is singular). |
| were | were | Past | Plural | Incorrect number. "were" is used with plural subjects ("they", "we", "you") or in subjunctive mood (not applicable here). The subject "cost" is singular. |
| No improvement | was | Past | Singular | Correct tense ("then" refers to past) and correct number (subject "cost" is singular). This matches the original sentence. |
Conclusion on Sentence Improvement
Based on our analysis, the original verb "was" correctly matches the singular subject "cost" and the past tense indicated by "then". None of the other options ("is", "are", "were") fit the grammatical requirements of the sentence.
Therefore, the sentence "The cost of a cylinder then was about ₹18." is grammatically correct as it stands.
Revision Table: Key Grammar Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. | The dog barks (singular). The dogs bark (plural). |
| Past Tense | Used to describe actions or states that happened at a specific time in the past. | She walked to the park yesterday. They were happy then. |
| Singular vs. Plural Verbs (To Be) | Present: is (singular), are (plural). Past: was (singular), were (plural). | He is here. They are here. He was here. They were here. |
Additional Information: Using "Then" in Sentences
The word "then" can function as different parts of speech, but in this sentence, it is used as an adverb of time. It specifies a past point in time. When "then" refers to a past time, the verb used in the sentence should typically be in a past tense form.
Examples:
- We lived in Mumbai then. (Past tense verb "lived")
- She was just a child then. (Past tense verb "was")
- The house looked different then. (Past tense verb "looked")
This reinforces why the past tense verb "was" is appropriate in the original sentence, "The cost of a cylinder then was about ₹18."
Important Questions from Error Spotting
Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
A honest mistake (a) / is no more than that; (b) / just an honest mistake. (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
A company of five thousand soldiers , (a) / having marched tirelessly for over five days , (b) / have just moved into their cantonment . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
Every person who believes in principles (a) / must stand up to fight (b) / for their convictions . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
The Olympic Games reflects(a) / the highest spirit of (b) / human endeavour and achievement . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
The principal of the school (a) / stressed the need for discipline (b) / amongst the students. (c) / No error (d)
