Preposition Usage: Blindness in One Eye

This question requires choosing the correct preposition to complete the sentence "The beggar was blind ______ one eye." Prepositions help show relationships between words, and in this case, we need the one that correctly links "blind" to the affected body part.

Understanding Preposition Choice

The common and grammatically correct way to express being unable to see with a specific eye is to use the preposition 'in'.

• Why 'in' is correct: We use 'in' to specify the location or part affected when describing a condition like blindness. The phrase "blind in one eye" is a standard English idiom.

Analyzing Other Options

Let's look at why the other prepositions don't fit this context:

• 'at': This preposition is typically used for specific points or moments in time, or to indicate direction. For example, "He is good at physics," or "She looked at the picture." It doesn't fit the context of a physical condition affecting a body part.
• 'on': 'On' often relates to surfaces, dates, or states. For example, "The lamp is on the table," or "The meeting is on Monday." It's not used to describe blindness in a specific eye.
• 'by': 'By' usually indicates proximity, means, or agency. For example, "The house is by the river," or "He travelled by train," or "The book was written by an expert." It doesn't apply here.

Conclusion

The preposition 'in' is the most appropriate choice because it correctly specifies the affected part of the body in the context of blindness. The standard phrasing is "blind in one eye".