Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response. It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices.
No improvement
Understanding Sentence Improvement: Using 'Cope With' Correctly
The question asks us to evaluate if the underlined part "to cope with" in the sentence "It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices" needs improvement from the given options.
Let's analyze the original sentence and the underlined phrase:
Original Sentence: It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices.
The phrase "cope with" is a common and correct phrasal verb in English. It means to deal effectively with something difficult. In this sentence, "to cope with the rising prices" means to deal with the difficulty caused by increasing prices.
Analyzing the Options for Sentence Improvement
We need to examine each provided option and determine if it offers a better alternative to the original phrasing "to cope with".
- Option 1: Cope by
Substituting "to cope with" with "Cope by" would change the sentence structure and meaning significantly. "Cope by" is typically followed by a method or action (e.g., "cope by saving money", "cope by reducing expenses"). "Cope by the rising prices" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't make sense in this context.
- Option 2: Cope up with
The phrase "cope up with" is commonly used informally, particularly in some regions, but the standard and correct phrasal verb in English is simply "cope with". Using "cope up with" instead of "cope with" is considered non-standard and grammatically incorrect in formal English.
- Option 3: To be coped with
This option uses the passive voice ("to be coped with"). The original sentence is about the difficulty *faced by people* in coping with prices. Changing it to "It is hard these days to be coped with the rising prices" implies that the rising prices are somehow coping with something or someone, which is not the intended meaning. It also sounds awkward and grammatically incorrect in this structure.
- Option 4: No improvement
The original phrase "to cope with" is a standard, correct, and appropriate phrasal verb in the context of the sentence "It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices." It perfectly conveys the meaning of dealing with the difficult situation of rising prices.
Conclusion on Sentence Improvement
Comparing the options, we see that "to cope with" is the correct and standard way to express dealing with a difficult situation like rising prices. Options 1, 2, and 3 introduce grammatical errors or change the intended meaning of the sentence.
Therefore, the original sentence is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate phrasing. No improvement is needed.
Revision Table: Comparing Phrasing
| Phrasing | Grammatical Correctness | Meaning in Context | Suitability for the Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| to cope with | Correct (Standard) | To deal effectively with rising prices | Suitable and clear |
| Cope by | Incorrect structure | Implies method, doesn't fit object | Unsuitable |
| Cope up with | Incorrect (Non-standard) | Intended as 'deal with' but non-standard | Unsuitable |
| To be coped with | Incorrect passive usage | Changes subject/meaning | Unsuitable |
Additional Information: Understanding Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that function as a single unit of meaning. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the individual words.
- 'Cope with': This is a classic example of a phrasal verb. 'Cope' as a verb can mean to deal with a difficult situation. When combined with 'with', it forms the common idiom meaning to handle or deal effectively with something challenging.
- Many phrasal verbs have specific prepositions they must be used with. Using the wrong preposition (like 'cope up with' instead of 'cope with') is a common error.
- Learning common phrasal verbs and the prepositions they require is crucial for improving English fluency and accuracy, especially for competitive exams.
Understanding the correct usage of phrasal verbs like 'cope with' is important for sentence construction and comprehension.
Similar Questions
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Go north-east across the mountains till you will reach an island.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
He took a loan of hundred rupees from me.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
From the last five days, it has been raining torrentially.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The Prime Minister had wide-ranging discussions on the international situation.
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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The teacher, along with her three children, were taken to hospital.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The man disappeared after he was rescuing a boy from drowning.Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
By 8.00 in the morning he wrote four letters to his friends.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The chairman with the other members of the board are touring Europe these days.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold/underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
I shall be obliged if youcould grantme an interview.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are 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 against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Your services are dispensed for.
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, select No improvement.
The questions are so simple that a child can understand it .
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.
Even children shrink away from food thinking that they should become overweight.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No substitution required.
The weather reports is prepared by the Meteorological Department of the Government.
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.
He decided to leave very quickly the hotel.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’.
I have been worked hard to finish this project.
