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Question

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’.

Please ask the dog to get of my couch.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

get off my

Understanding Sentence Substitution and Grammar

The original sentence is "Please ask the dog to get of my couch." The underlined segment is "get of my couch". We need to determine if this segment requires substitution and select the most appropriate option if it does.

Analyzing the Error in the Original Sentence

The error in the original sentence lies in the use of the preposition "of". The phrase "get of" is grammatically incorrect in this context. The intended meaning is for the dog to move away from the surface of the couch. The correct preposition for moving away from something is typically "off".

Examining the Options

Let's look at each option provided:

  1. get of mine: This option still uses the incorrect preposition "of". Additionally, "mine" is a possessive pronoun used to replace a noun already mentioned (e.g., "That couch is mine"). Here, we need a possessive determiner to modify the noun "couch" (even though the noun "couch" is implied after "mine"), which is "my". So, this option is incorrect.
  2. get off my: This option uses the correct preposition "off" (meaning away from the surface) and the correct possessive determiner "my" to modify the noun "couch" (implied). This fits the intended meaning and is grammatically correct.
  3. get off mine: This option uses the correct preposition "off". However, it uses the possessive pronoun "mine". While "mine" can replace "my couch", the phrase "get off mine" sounds less natural and is often less precise than "get off my couch" or simply "get off the couch" when the context is clear. In the context of substituting "get of my couch", "get off my" is the direct and correct replacement for the structure "verb + preposition + possessive determiner".
  4. No substitution: As explained, the original segment "get of my couch" is grammatically incorrect because "of" is misused. Therefore, a substitution is needed.

Determining the Correct Substitution

Based on the analysis, the most appropriate and grammatically correct substitution for "get of my couch" is "get off my". This correctly uses the preposition "off" to indicate movement away from the couch and the possessive determiner "my" to show ownership of the couch.

Conclusion

The underlined segment "get of my couch" requires substitution because of the incorrect use of "of" instead of "off". Option 2, "get off my", correctly uses the preposition "off" and the possessive determiner "my".

Comparison of Original and Corrected Phrase
Phrase Grammatical Correctness Explanation
get of my couch Incorrect Uses "of" instead of "off".
get off my couch Correct Uses "off" (away from) and "my" (possessive determiner).

Revision Table: Key Grammar Points

Revision of Prepositions and Possessives
Grammar Concept Explanation Examples
Preposition "of" Indicates possession, origin, belonging, or composition. A cup of tea, the colour of the sky, born of a noble family.
Preposition "off" Indicates movement away from a surface or disconnection. Get off the table, turn off the light, fell off the chair.
Possessive Determiner "my" Used before a noun to show possession by the speaker. my book, my car, my house.
Possessive Pronoun "mine" Used without a noun to show possession by the speaker. Replaces "my + noun". The book is mine, That car is mine. (equivalent to "my book", "my car").

Additional Information: Common Preposition Errors

Using the wrong preposition is a common source of errors in English. It's important to understand the specific meanings and uses of prepositions like "of", "off", "on", "in", "at", etc.

  • "Of" often relates to relationships, quantities, or material.
  • "Off" indicates separation, disconnection, or movement away from a surface or state.

In phrases involving movement away from a surface, "off" is almost always the correct choice, such as "get off the bed," "step off the platform," "wipe the dirt off the shoe."

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