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Question

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".

New townships (has coming) up with claims of providing several amenities to the people.

The correct answer is

are coming

Understanding the Grammar Improvement Question

The question asks us to identify the best alternative to replace the bracketed part "(has coming)" in the sentence: "New townships (has coming) up with claims of providing several amenities to the people." We need to select the option that makes the sentence grammatically correct and improves its flow, or choose "no improvement" if the original sentence is correct.

Analyzing the Original Sentence Structure

Let's look at the key parts of the original sentence:

  • Subject: "New townships"
  • Verb Phrase: "(has coming) up"

The subject "townships" is a plural noun. In standard English grammar, the verb must agree in number with its subject. A plural subject requires a plural verb form.

The verb phrase "(has coming)" uses the singular auxiliary verb "has" followed by the present participle "coming". This construction is grammatically incorrect. The auxiliary "has" is used with the past participle (e.g., "has come") to form the present perfect tense, or with "been" and the present participle (e.g., "has been coming") to form the present perfect continuous tense.

Evaluating the Improvement Options

Now let's examine each of the given options:

  1. is coming: This option uses the singular auxiliary verb "is" with the present participle "coming". While "is coming" is a valid verb form (present continuous tense), the auxiliary verb "is" is singular. It does not agree with the plural subject "New townships". Therefore, this option is incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement.
  2. has come: This option uses the singular auxiliary verb "has" with the past participle "come". While "has come" is a valid verb form (present perfect tense), the auxiliary verb "has" is singular. It does not agree with the plural subject "New townships". Therefore, this option is incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement. Additionally, the phrase "coming up" usually implies a process that is currently happening or about to happen, which is better conveyed by a continuous tense.
  3. are coming: This option uses the plural auxiliary verb "are" with the present participle "coming". "Are coming" is a valid verb form (present continuous tense), and the auxiliary verb "are" is plural. It agrees with the plural subject "New townships". This form correctly expresses that the townships are currently developing or appearing. Therefore, this option is grammatically correct and fits the context.
  4. no improvement: As discussed earlier, the original phrase "(has coming)" is grammatically incorrect because of the incorrect verb form and the lack of subject-verb agreement. Therefore, improvement is needed.

Determining the Correct Improvement

Based on the analysis, the option that provides the correct subject-verb agreement and uses a suitable verb tense (present continuous) to describe the ongoing development of the townships is "are coming".

The improved sentence reads:

New townships are coming up with claims of providing several amenities to the people.

Here, the plural subject "New townships" correctly matches the plural verb form "are coming".

Revision Table: Key Grammar Concepts

Concept Explanation Example (Subject-Verb Agreement)
Subject-Verb Agreement The verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Singular: The dog runs fast.
Plural: The dogs run fast.
Present Continuous Tense Formed with a form of 'be' (am, is, are) + present participle (verb + -ing). Used to describe actions happening now or around the time of speaking. She is reading a book.
They are playing football.
Present Perfect Tense Formed with 'has' or 'have' + past participle. Used to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past or started in the past and continue to the present. He has finished his homework.
They have lived here for years.

Additional Information: Common Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

Making sure verbs agree with their subjects is a common area where errors occur. Here are a few things to remember:

  • Look for the true subject of the sentence, ignoring phrases that come between the subject and the verb (like prepositional phrases).
  • Collective nouns (e.g., team, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individuals.
  • Subjects joined by "and" are usually plural.
  • Subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a verb that agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to the verb.
  • Indefinite pronouns like "each," "every," "either," "neither," "one," "nobody," "somebody," etc., are usually singular.
  • Indefinite pronouns like "all," "some," "none," "most" can be singular or plural depending on what they refer to.

In the sentence "New townships are coming up...", the subject "New townships" is clearly plural, requiring the plural verb form "are coming".

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Important Questions from Phrase Replacement

  1. 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.

  2. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.

    Gayatri informed one of the directors that she has sent the material for printing.

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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.)
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