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 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). Our country can progress when only people work hard .
only when people work hard
Understanding Word Placement for Sentence Improvement
The original sentence is "Our country can progress when only people work hard." We need to examine the placement of the word "only" and see if a different position improves the clarity and intended meaning of the sentence.
The word "only" is a focusing adverb. Its position in a sentence affects what it modifies. Generally, "only" should be placed immediately before the word or phrase it is intended to modify.
Analyzing the Original Sentence and Options
Let's look at the original sentence and the proposed substitutions:
- Original: "Our country can progress when only people work hard." Here, "only" is placed before "people". This suggests that among different groups, *only* people (and not something else) working hard leads to progress. This isn't the most common or logical interpretation in this context.
- Option (a): "when people only work hard" - Here, "only" is placed before "work hard". This could imply that people do *only* work hard and do nothing else. For example, "They only work hard, they don't play." This doesn't fit the context of the country's progress.
- Option (b): "when people work hard only" - Placing "only" at the end of the phrase it modifies is sometimes acceptable in informal speech, but grammatically, it's usually clearer to place it before. Here, it still modifies "work hard" in a similar way to option (a).
- Option (c): "only when people work hard" - Here, "only" is placed at the beginning of the dependent clause "when people work hard". This means that the condition for the country's progress is *only* that people work hard, implying that this is the single necessary condition. This is the most logical and common meaning intended in such sentences.
Evaluating the Best Placement of 'Only'
The sentence is about the condition required for a country's progress. The word "only" is intended to emphasize that hard work is the sole or primary condition for this progress. Therefore, "only" should modify the entire condition, which is expressed by the clause "when people work hard".
Placing "only" before the entire conditional clause clearly indicates that this specific condition ("people work hard") is the *only* way the country can progress.
Let's compare the possible meanings:
- Original: Our country can progress when only people work hard (suggests other things besides people working hard might also cause progress, but when focusing just on people, it's only them). Less likely meaning.
- Option (a): Our country can progress when people only work hard (suggests people do nothing else but work hard). Incorrect meaning.
- Option (b): Our country can progress when people work hard only (similar to (a), suggests people do nothing else but work hard). Incorrect meaning.
- Option (c): Our country can progress only when people work hard (suggests that the *only time* or *only condition* for progress is when people work hard). Correct and intended meaning.
Therefore, the placement in option (c) most effectively conveys the intended meaning of the sentence, making it the best improvement.
Conclusion on Sentence Improvement
The correct placement of the focusing adverb "only" is crucial for the clarity and intended meaning of a sentence. In the given context, "only" should modify the entire clause indicating the condition for progress.
Comparing the options, "only when people work hard" clearly expresses that hard work is the exclusive condition for the country's progress.
| Option | Placement of 'Only' | What 'Only' Modifies | Meaning | Improvement? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Before 'people' | 'people' | When only people (and not other factors?) work hard... | No |
| (a) | Before 'work hard' | 'work hard' | When people only work hard (and do nothing else)... | No |
| (b) | After 'work hard' | 'work hard' | When people work hard only (and do nothing else)... | No |
| (c) | Before 'when people work hard' | 'when people work hard' (the whole clause) | Only when people work hard (is progress possible)... | Yes |
Based on this analysis, the best substitution for the underlined part is "only when people work hard".
Revision Table: Sentence Structure and Word Placement
Reviewing sentence structure and the rules for placing adverbs like "only" is essential for sentence improvement.
- Adverb Placement: Adverbs often modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Focusing adverbs like "only", "just", "even", "also" can modify different parts of the sentence depending on their position.
- Modifying Clauses: When "only" modifies a clause (like a 'when' clause or 'if' clause), it is typically placed at the beginning of that clause to clearly indicate that the entire condition or time is exclusive.
- Ambiguity: Incorrect placement of "only" can lead to ambiguity or change the intended meaning entirely.
Additional Information: Focusing Adverbs and Meaning
Focusing adverbs highlight a particular part of the sentence. Consider the sentence "She only eats fruit."
- "She only eats fruit": Implies she does nothing else with fruit (doesn't buy it, grow it, etc.).
- "She only eats fruit": Implies eating is the only action she performs with fruit (she doesn't cook it, juice it, etc.).
- "She eats only fruit": Implies fruit is the only thing she eats.
This example demonstrates how moving "only" significantly changes the meaning. In our original question, "only when people work hard" means that this specific condition (people working hard) is the exclusive requirement for progress, which is the intended meaning.
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.
You must accustom yourself with new ideas.
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.
This telephone number is not existing .
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 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).
It is an ancient, historical place and it once belongs to the Pandavas.
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 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).
Since we were knowing the correct route, we did not worry at all.
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 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).
Wake me up when father will come .
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 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).
Do take an umbrella with you lest you do not get wet .
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.
It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices.
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.
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.
Gayatri informed one of the directors that she has sent the material for printing.
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 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.)
