Understanding Sentence Correction and Phrasal Verbs

The original sentence is: "The strong windblow offall the candles." This sentence contains grammatical errors. First, "blow" is in the base form, but the context likely requires a past tense verb or a form suitable for the action described (wind extinguishing candles). Second, "offall" is not a standard word or phrase; it seems to be a combination of a preposition and a word that should follow it or be part of a phrasal verb.

We need to find a phrase that correctly completes the sentence and makes sense in the context of wind affecting candles. The options provide phrasal verbs or verb forms.

Analyzing the Original Sentence Structure

The structure "The strong wind [verb/phrasal verb] the candles" suggests the wind performed an action on the candles. Wind typically extinguishes candles or makes them fall over. Given the options, we are likely looking for a verb that means extinguishing.

Exploring the Options and Phrasal Verbs

Let's look at the meaning of the verbs and phrasal verbs provided in the options:

• No substitution required: This option is incorrect because the original sentence "windblow offall" is grammatically incorrect and unclear.
• blow up: The phrasal verb "blow up" typically means to explode or to inflate something (like a balloon). This meaning does not fit the context of wind and candles.
• blew out: "Blew out" is the past tense of the phrasal verb "blow out". To "blow out" means to extinguish a flame, especially with a puff of air. This is a common action of wind on candles. The past tense "blew" fits grammatically if the action happened in the past.
• blowing away: "Blowing away" uses the present participle form "blowing" along with "away". "Blow away" can mean to move something away by wind, or informally, to impress someone greatly. While wind does move things away, "blowing away the candles" isn't the standard phrase for extinguishing them, and the "-ing" form without a helping verb like "is" or "was" doesn't fit the simple past or simple present structure implied by the other options. The sentence structure "The strong wind blowing away all the candles" would typically require a different construction or imply an ongoing action.

Evaluating the Most Appropriate Substitution

Considering the options and the likely intended meaning, the action of wind on candles is most appropriately described by extinguishing the flame. The phrasal verb for extinguishing a flame is "blow out". Since the sentence describes a completed action ("all the candles"), the past tense "blew out" is the most suitable grammatical form.

Substituting "blew out" into the sentence gives: "The strong wind blew out all the candles." This is a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the phrasal verbs and the context, "blew out" is the correct substitution to form a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence describing the wind extinguishing the candles.

Revision Table: Key Grammar Points

Reviewing key concepts related to this question:

Additional Information: Common Phrasal Verbs with "Blow"

Understanding phrasal verbs is crucial for English fluency. Here are a few more common phrasal verbs using "blow":

• Blow over: To pass without serious effect; (of a storm) to finish. Example: Hopefully, this argument will blow over soon. The storm blew over quickly.
• Blow away: To move something away with wind; to impress greatly. Example: The leaves were blown away by the wind. Her performance blew me away.
• Blow off: To ignore or dismiss something; to fail to attend. Example: He just blew off my suggestion. She blew off the meeting.
• Blow up: To explode; to inflate; to become angry. Example: The building blew up. He blew up the balloon. He blew up when he heard the news.