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.
hell bent on getting
Understanding Sentence Improvement with Idioms
This question asks us to identify the correct alternative for the underlined part of the sentence to improve its grammatical correctness and natural flow. The original sentence is: "The workers are hell-bent at getting what is due to them."
Analyzing the Idiom 'Hell-Bent'
The phrase "hell-bent" is an idiom used to describe someone who is determined to do something, regardless of the consequences. It means stubbornly or recklessly determined.
Idioms often require specific prepositions to be used correctly. The standard preposition used with the idiom "hell-bent" is "on". The correct structure is:
Hell-bent on + noun (e.g., hell-bent on success)
Hell-bent on + gerund (verb + -ing) (e.g., hell-bent on winning)
Evaluating the Original Sentence and Underlined Part
The original sentence uses "hell-bent at getting". Here, "getting" is a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun). According to the correct usage of the idiom "hell-bent", the preposition following it should be "on", not "at". Therefore, the original sentence needs improvement.
Examining the Alternatives
Let's look at the given options:
- hell bent on getting: This option uses the preposition "on" followed by the gerund "getting". This structure matches the correct usage of the idiom "hell-bent on doing something".
- hell bent for getting: This option uses the preposition "for". The phrase "hell-bent for" is not the standard or correct form of this idiom.
- hell bent to getting: This option uses the preposition "to". The phrase "hell-bent to" is not the standard or correct form of this idiom when followed by a gerund. While "hell-bent to do something" exists in some contexts, "hell-bent on doing something" is far more common and appropriate when expressing strong determination towards an action. Given the structure "getting" (gerund), "on" is the correct preposition.
- No improvement: As we established, the original sentence uses the incorrect preposition "at". Therefore, the sentence does need improvement.
Determining the Correct Alternative
Comparing the options with the correct idiom usage, "hell bent on getting" is the grammatically correct and standard form. It correctly uses the preposition "on" followed by the gerund "getting" to express the workers' strong determination to receive what they are due.
Thus, the correct alternative to improve the sentence is "hell bent on getting".
Conclusion
The correct phrase to replace the underlined part "at getting" is "on getting". The corrected sentence reads: "The workers are hell-bent on getting what is due to them."
| Phrase | Preposition Used | Correctness with 'hell-bent' + Gerund |
|---|---|---|
| hell-bent at getting | at | Incorrect |
| hell-bent on getting | on | Correct |
| hell-bent for getting | for | Incorrect |
| hell-bent to getting | to | Incorrect (with gerund) |
Revision Table: Key Grammar Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Idiom Usage | Idioms are phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from individual words. They often have fixed structures and require specific prepositions. | 'Bite the bullet' (to face a difficult situation) |
| Prepositions with Idioms | Certain idioms are always followed by specific prepositions (e.g., fond of, afraid of, keen on). Using the wrong preposition is a common error. | Incorrect: keen at sports Correct: keen on sports |
| Gerunds | The '-ing' form of a verb used as a noun. Often follows prepositions. | I am interested in learning. (learning is a gerund) |
Additional Information: Common Idioms and Prepositions
Here are a few other common idioms and the prepositions they typically use:
- Depend on: You can depend on me.
- Rely on: We rely on your support.
- Believe in: Do you believe in ghosts?
- Insist on: She insisted on paying the bill.
- Consist of: The team consists of ten members.
- Succeed in: He succeeded in passing the exam.
- Accused of: He was accused of theft.
- Approved of: His parents approved of his choice.
Understanding which prepositions pair with which verbs, adjectives, and idioms is crucial for sentence correction exercises and improving overall English grammar skills.
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 .
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 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.
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’.
September is one of the busiest months of the year, with a range of different tasks at hand
