In this section, look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If (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).
One can live and work in a town without being aware of the daily march of the sun across the sky without never seeing the moon and stars.
ever
Sentence Correction: Fixing Double Negatives
The original sentence provided is: "One can live and work in a town without being aware of the daily march of the sun across the sky without never seeing the moon and stars."
We need to examine the underlined part: "without never seeing".
Identifying the Grammatical Error
The phrase "without never seeing" contains a double negative. The word "without" already indicates the absence of something (in this case, the absence of seeing). Using "never" immediately after "without" creates redundancy and usually results in an incorrect or confusing structure. A double negative often implies a positive meaning, but here it just makes the sentence awkward and grammatically flawed.
The intended meaning is clearly that the person does not see the moon and stars at all because they live and work in a town and are unaware of the natural surroundings.
Analyzing the Options for Sentence Improvement
Let's look at the suggested substitutions for "without never seeing":
- (a) seldom: Substituting "seldom" gives "without seldom seeing". "Seldom" means rarely. "Without rarely seeing" is grammatically awkward and doesn't convey the intended meaning of not seeing the moon and stars at all. It implies that seeing them is a rare event, not that it never happens.
- (b) hardly: Substituting "hardly" gives "without hardly seeing". "Hardly" means barely or almost not. "Without barely seeing" is also grammatically incorrect and doesn't fit the context. It would imply that some seeing is happening, just very little, contradicting the idea of being unaware.
- (c) ever: Substituting "ever" gives "without ever seeing". "Ever" means at any time. "Without ever seeing" means "without seeing at any time". This structure correctly resolves the double negative. "Without ever seeing the moon and stars" clearly means that the person never sees them, which aligns with the idea of living in a town and being unaware of the sky. This is a standard and correct way to express the absence of an action over time after "without".
- (d) No improvement: As identified, the original phrase "without never seeing" is grammatically incorrect due to the double negative. Therefore, improvement is needed.
Conclusion
Comparing the options, "without ever seeing" is the only grammatically correct and meaningful substitution for "without never seeing". It accurately conveys that the person does not see the moon and stars at all.
The improved sentence would be: "One can live and work in a town without being aware of the daily march of the sun across the sky without ever seeing the moon and stars."
Revision Table: Sentence Correction Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Double Negative | Using two negative words in the same clause where only one is needed. Often cancels out the negation or makes the sentence awkward/incorrect. | Incorrect: I don't have no money. (Should be: I don't have any money / I have no money.) |
| Correct usage with "without" | When "without" is followed by a verb, use the gerund (-ing) form. To negate the action, use "without" + gerund. To emphasize 'not at any time', use "without" + "ever" + gerund. | Correct: She left without saying goodbye. Correct: He stayed home without ever going outside. |
| Understanding "Ever" | Means "at any time". Used in negative contexts or questions to refer to any point in time. | Have you ever been to Paris? He didn't ever call me back. (More naturally: He never called me back.) Without ever seeing her again. |
Additional Information: Avoiding Double Negatives in English Grammar
Double negatives are generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. They can create confusion about the intended meaning. Common negative words include "not", "never", "no", "none", "nobody", "nothing", "nowhere", "hardly", "scarcely", and "barely". Using two of these together in a way that they negate each other should be avoided.
Instead of a double negative, use a single negative word or phrase to express the negation clearly.
- Incorrect: She couldn't hardly hear him.
- Correct: She could hardly hear him. (Using "hardly" as the single negative)
- Incorrect: I ain't got no time.
- Correct: I haven't got any time.
- Correct: I have no time.
In the specific case of "without", adding "ever" after it and before the gerund is the correct way to express that something never happened in the context of "without doing something".
Similar Questions
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Late at night, our car
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
They told us about the woman
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
All the countries signed the treaty
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives, Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
I dislike films
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives, Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
He paused
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Would you like to
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives, Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The thieves denied
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives, Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
I reminded her
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
I'll see you
Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Did you
Important Questions from Sentence
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 Constitution of India was prepared after a thorough study of constitutions of various countries.
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’.
Kolkata is a capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.
Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
Try harder, don’t give away so easily.
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’.
Your decision to stay home this weekend is more better than mine to go out for dinner.
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’.
Last Sunday I returning home late at night.
