Select the grammatically correct sentence. A. As a nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so. B. As nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so. C. As the nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so. D. As a nation, India is an united country and shall always remain so.
A
Analyzing Sentence Structure and Article Usage
The question asks us to identify the grammatically correct sentence among the given options. This involves checking the proper use of articles (a, an, the) and the overall sentence construction.
Examining Each Sentence Option
Let's break down each option to understand why it is grammatically correct or incorrect.
- Option A: "As a nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so."
- Option B: "As nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so."
- Option C: "As the nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so."
- Option D: "As a nation, India is an united country and shall always remain so."
Detailed Analysis of Grammatical correctness
The key areas to focus on are the phrases "As ___ nation" and "is ___ united country".
Analyzing "As ___ nation":
- When referring to a country in its capacity as a nation (one among many), the indefinite article "a" is typically used before "nation". This is a common idiomatic phrase.
- "As nation" (Option B) is grammatically incorrect as it lacks the necessary article.
- "As the nation" (Option C) would imply a specific or unique role as *the* nation, which isn't the intended meaning in this general statement about India. "A nation" is appropriate here.
Analyzing "is ___ united country":
- The word "united" starts with the letter 'u'. However, the sound it makes is a consonant sound, /juːnaɪtɪd/, similar to the 'y' in 'you'.
- According to the rules of English grammar, we use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound, and "an" before words that start with a vowel sound.
- Therefore, the correct article before "united" is "a", making the phrase "a united country".
- "an united country" (Option D) is grammatically incorrect because "united" begins with a consonant sound.
Evaluating the Options Based on Analysis
| Option | Phrase 1: "As ___ nation" | Grammar (Phrase 1) | Phrase 2: "is ___ united country" | Grammar (Phrase 2) | Overall Sentence Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | As a nation | Correct | is a united country | Correct | Correct |
| B | As nation | Incorrect (missing article) | is a united country | Correct | Incorrect |
| C | As the nation | Incorrect (wrong article for context) | is a united country | Correct | Incorrect |
| D | As a nation | Correct | is an united country | Incorrect (wrong article before 'united') | Incorrect |
Based on this analysis, Option A correctly uses "a nation" and "a united country", making it the only grammatically correct sentence.
Conclusion on Correct Grammar
The sentence "As a nation, India is a united country and shall always remain so" follows the standard rules for using articles before nouns like 'nation' and adjectives like 'united'. The use of 'a' before 'nation' treats India as one instance of a nation, and 'a' before 'united' is correct because 'united' starts with a consonant sound.
Revision Table: Understanding Articles 'a' and 'an'
| Article | Usage Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| a | Used before words that start with a consonant sound. | a book, a cat, a university (/j/ sound), a one-way street (/w/ sound) |
| an | Used before words that start with a vowel sound. | an apple, an hour (/aʊ/ sound), an idea, an umbrella |
Additional Information: Idiomatic Phrases and Context
Understanding common phrases and the context is crucial for correct grammar. The phrase "As a nation" is a standard way to introduce a statement about a country from the perspective of its national identity or status. While "As the nation" exists, its meaning is different, usually referring to a specific, often unique, role or characteristic of that nation.
Always pay close attention to the sound a word starts with when deciding between "a" and "an", especially for words beginning with vowels like 'u' or 'h'.
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