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’. One must brush up on entire course before the day of examination.
No substitution
Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Brush Up On'
The question asks us to evaluate the underlined segment "brush up on" in the sentence: "One must brush up on entire course before the day of examination." We need to determine if any of the given options are a more appropriate substitute or if the original phrase is correct, leading to 'No substitution'.
Analysing the Phrasal Verb 'Brush Up On'
The phrase "brush up on" is a common phrasal verb in English. It means to improve one's knowledge of something already learned but partly forgotten, usually by reviewing it quickly. For example, you might "brush up on" your French before a trip to Paris, or "brush up on" your math skills before an exam.
Context of the Sentence
The sentence states that "One must brush up on entire course before the day of examination." Here, "entire course" refers to the subject material studied. The act of reviewing this material before an exam perfectly matches the meaning of "brush up on". It implies a quick review to refresh one's memory and improve preparedness for the examination.
Evaluating the Substitution Options
Let's look at the provided options and see if they fit the context:
- brush about: This is not a standard phrasal verb used to mean reviewing or refreshing knowledge. It does not fit the context of studying for an examination.
- brushing on: The original sentence uses the base form "brush" because it follows the modal verb "must". Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb. "brushing" is either a gerund or a present participle, and its use here after "must" would be grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, "brush on" is not a standard phrasal verb meaning to review course material.
- brushing off: This phrasal verb typically means to remove dust or dirt by brushing, or to dismiss something or someone as unimportant. Neither meaning is relevant to reviewing an entire course for an examination.
- No substitution: As analysed, "brush up on" accurately conveys the meaning of reviewing or refreshing knowledge about the "entire course" in preparation for the "day of examination". The grammatical structure ("must brush up on") is also correct, with "brush up on" being in the base form after the modal verb "must".
Conclusion on Substitution
Based on the meaning and correct grammatical usage, the phrasal verb "brush up on" is appropriate and correctly used in the given sentence. Therefore, no substitution is needed.
| Phrase | Meaning | Fit in Sentence Context | Grammatical Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| brush up on | Review/refresh knowledge quickly | Yes, fits reviewing course for exam | Base form (correct after 'must') |
| brush about | Not a standard phrasal verb for reviewing | No | Base form (grammatically ok after 'must', but meaning is wrong) |
| brushing on | Not a standard phrasal verb for reviewing | No | Gerund/Participle (grammatically incorrect after 'must') |
| brushing off | Dismiss or remove dust | No | Gerund/Participle (grammatically incorrect after 'must', and meaning is wrong) |
Revision Table: Key Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Brush up on | To improve knowledge/skill by reviewing | I need to brush up on my history before the test. |
| Brush off | To dismiss something or someone; to remove something by brushing | He brushed off the criticism easily. She brushed the dust off her jacket. |
| Brush aside | To ignore or treat as unimportant | She brushed aside his concerns. |
Additional Information: Modal Verbs and Base Forms
Modal verbs (like must, can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might) are special verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestion, order, obligation, or advice. A key grammatical rule is that modal verbs are almost always followed by the base form of the main verb (the infinitive without "to").
- Correct: One must brush...
- Incorrect: One must brushing...
- Incorrect: One must to brush...
In the given sentence, "must" is a modal verb, and it is correctly followed by the base form of the main verb, which is part of the phrasal verb "brush up on".
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