In the following question, the sentence is given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option. ______ a wrench she unscrewed the bolts.
By means of
Understanding the Blank in the Sentence
The sentence provided is: "______ a wrench she unscrewed the bolts." We need to fill in the blank with the most appropriate word or phrase from the given options that indicates how she performed the action of unscrewing the bolts. The sentence describes an action (unscrewing the bolts) and the tool used for that action (a wrench).
Analyzing the Options for Filling the Blank
Let's look at the meaning and typical usage of each option:
- Along with: This phrase usually means "together with" or "in addition to". Example: "She came along with her friend."
- On: This preposition can indicate position (on the table), time (on Monday), or a topic (on a subject), among other uses. Example: "The book is on the shelf."
- By means of: This phrase means "by using" or "with the help of". It indicates the method or instrument used to achieve something. Example: "They communicated by means of hand signals."
- Sticking: This is the present participle of the verb "stick", which means to adhere to a surface or to remain in a place. Example: "The label was sticking to the bottle."
Evaluating Each Option's Suitability
Now, let's see which option best fits the blank in the sentence "______ a wrench she unscrewed the bolts." to convey the idea of using a wrench as a tool.
- Along with a wrench: This suggests she unscrewed the bolts while simultaneously being accompanied by a wrench, or that the wrench was also involved in some other action. It doesn't clearly indicate the wrench was the tool used for unscrewing.
- On a wrench: This doesn't make grammatical sense in this context. One doesn't perform the action of unscrewing 'on' a wrench.
- By means of a wrench: This phrase explicitly states that the wrench was the tool or method used to perform the action of unscrewing the bolts. This fits the meaning perfectly.
- Sticking a wrench: This implies that the wrench was adhering or being placed somewhere, which is not related to the action of unscrewing bolts with the wrench.
Explanation of the Correct Choice: By Means Of
The phrase "by means of" is specifically used to show the instrument, method, or agency by which something is done. In the sentence "______ a wrench she unscrewed the bolts," the action is "unscrewed the bolts," and the instrument used is "a wrench." Therefore, "By means of a wrench" is the correct and most appropriate way to express that the wrench was used to perform the unscrewing.
Why Other Options Are Not Appropriate
The other options fail to convey the intended meaning:
- "Along with" describes accompaniment, not the instrument used.
- "On" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't fit the context of using a tool for an action.
- "Sticking" describes adhesion or placement, not the use of a tool for unscrewing.
Only "By means of" accurately describes the relationship between the action (unscrewing the bolts) and the tool (a wrench).
Revision Table: Phrases Indicating Instrument or Method
| Phrase | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| By means of | By using; with the help of (an instrument, method, etc.) | He succeeded by means of hard work. By means of a telescope, they observed the stars. |
| With | Using (a tool or instrument) | She cut the paper with scissors. He wrote the letter with a pen. |
| Through | By way of; by means of (a method, channel, etc.) | They learned the news through a friend. Success was achieved through perseverance. |
Additional Information: Expressing Tool Usage
When describing the use of a tool or instrument to perform an action, common prepositions and phrases are used. The most common is usually "with" followed by the tool, e.g., "She unscrewed the bolts with a wrench." The phrase "by means of" is another valid way to express this, often used for slightly more formal contexts or to emphasize the method or instrument used. Both "with" and "by means of" convey the instrumental sense necessary for this sentence.
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