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Question

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.

Mahatma Gandhi is called as the Father of the Nation .

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

Called the Father of the Nation

Analyzing Sentence Improvement for English Grammar

The question asks us to choose the best way to rephrase the underlined part "is called as the Father of the Nation" in the sentence "Mahatma Gandhi is called as the Father of the Nation". This is a common point of confusion in English grammar regarding the usage of the verb 'call'.

Understanding the Verb 'Call' in Designations

When the verb 'call' means to name someone or something, or to refer to them by a particular name or title, it is typically followed directly by the name or title, without 'as'.

For example:

  • We call him John. (Not "We call him as John.")
  • They called the project a success. (Not "They called the project as a success.")
  • She was called a hero. (Not "She was called as a hero.")

The phrase 'call as' is generally used when 'as' means 'while being' or 'in the role of', which is not the case when assigning a title or designation.

Evaluating the Options

Let's look at the provided options for substituting the underlined part:

Option (a): Called Father of the Nation

  • This option corrects the use of 'as', which is good.
  • However, "Father of the Nation" is a specific, unique title given to Mahatma Gandhi. Specific titles like this usually require the definite article 'the' before them.
  • Therefore, "Called Father of the Nation" is grammatically awkward because it's missing the article 'the'.

Option (b): Called the Father of the Nation

  • This option correctly removes 'as' after 'called'.
  • It also includes the definite article 'the' before the specific title "Father of the Nation".
  • The structure "is called the [Title]" is the standard grammatical way to express that someone is known or referred to by a specific title.
  • This phrasing perfectly fits the rule for using 'call' to designate a title.

Option (c): Father of the Nation

  • This option completely changes the grammatical structure of the sentence. The original sentence uses "is called as...", implying an action of designation.
  • Replacing the underlined part with just "Father of the Nation" would result in "Mahatma Gandhi Father of the Nation", which is not a complete or grammatically correct sentence in English.
  • This option is not a valid substitution for the underlined verb phrase.

Option (d): No improvement

  • Since Option (b) offers a grammatically correct and more natural phrasing compared to the original sentence "is called as...", there is indeed an improvement possible.
  • Therefore, "No improvement" is incorrect.

Conclusion on Sentence Improvement

Comparing the options, "Called the Father of the Nation" (Option b) is the grammatically correct and most appropriate substitution for the underlined part "is called as the Father of the Nation". It follows the standard English grammar rule for using the verb 'call' when assigning a title or designation and correctly uses the definite article 'the' with the specific title.

The best substitution is "Called the Father of the Nation". The corrected sentence would be "Mahatma Gandhi is called the Father of the Nation."

Revision Table: English Grammar Rules

Grammar Point Incorrect Usage (Example) Correct Usage (Example)
Using 'Call' for Titles/Designations They called him as a leader. They called him a leader.
Using 'Call' for Specific Titles She was called Queen of England. She was called the Queen of England.
Verb 'Call' in Passive Voice (Designation) He is called as the manager. He is called the manager.

Additional Information: Titles and Articles

When referring to unique titles or roles that only one person holds at a time, we often use the definite article 'the'. Examples include "the President", "the Prime Minister", "the Queen", "the Pope", and in this context, "the Father of the Nation". This usage helps to specify that we are talking about that particular unique position or designation.

Understanding when to use articles (a, an, the) with titles and nouns is crucial for accurate English grammar. Definite articles like 'the' are used with specific or unique nouns, which includes specific titles like "Father of the Nation".

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Similar Questions

  1. 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.

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  10. 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.

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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, select No improvement.

    The questions are so simple that a child can understand it .

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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