Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’. Wasim agreed to share his notes with Arif on conditions that he are return them in a day.
on the condition that he would return
Understanding Sentence Correction and Grammatical Errors
The question asks us to identify the most appropriate substitute for the underlined segment in the sentence: "Wasim agreed to share his notes with Arif on conditions that he are return them in a day." We need to find a phrase that makes the sentence grammatically correct and idiomatic.
Analyzing the Original Sentence Segment
The underlined part is "on conditions that he are return them in a day". Let's break down the potential issues:
- "on conditions that": While 'conditions' can be plural, the standard idiom for introducing a single requirement or stipulation is often "on condition that" (singular) or "on the condition that". Using the plural "conditions" here, especially if referring to just one stipulation (returning the notes), feels less natural.
- "he are return": This is grammatically incorrect. After the subject pronoun "he", the verb form "are return" is wrong. We need a correct verb tense and form that fits the context of a future action agreed upon as a condition.
The original segment contains clear grammatical errors and an awkward phrasing of the condition.
Evaluating the Substitution Options
Let's look at the given options:
- on the condition that he would return:
- "on the condition that" is a correct and common idiom used to state a stipulation.
- "he would return" uses the modal verb "would", which is often used in clauses expressing a condition or a result dependent on a past agreement or hypothetical situation. It fits the context of Wasim's agreement being contingent on Arif returning the notes in the future.
- No substitution required:
- As analyzed above, the original segment "on conditions that he are return them in a day" is grammatically incorrect due to the verb form "are return".
- on his condition that he is returning:
- "on his condition that" is not the standard idiom. The standard forms are usually "on condition that" or "on the condition that".
- "he is returning" uses the present continuous tense. While present continuous can sometimes refer to future plans, it doesn't fit well here to express a stipulation or condition linked to a past agreement ("agreed to share"). The modal verb "would" or "will" (in certain contexts) is more appropriate for the dependent clause expressing a future action tied to a condition or agreement.
- on condition that he will be return:
- "on condition that" is a correct idiom.
- "he will be return" is grammatically incorrect. The phrase should be "he will return" (simple future) or "he will be returning" (future continuous), or possibly "he will have returned" (future perfect) depending on the exact nuance, but "will be return" is not a valid structure.
Conclusion on Sentence Correction
Based on the analysis, option 1, "on the condition that he would return", correctly uses the standard idiom "on the condition that" and provides the appropriate verb form "would return" to express the future action contingent on the past agreement. The other options contain grammatical errors or use less appropriate phrasing.
| Original Segment | Error Analysis | Correctness |
|---|---|---|
| on conditions that he are return them in a day | "on conditions that" is less idiomatic than "on condition that" or "on the condition that". "he are return" is grammatically incorrect. | Incorrect |
| on the condition that he would return | "on the condition that" is a standard idiom. "he would return" is appropriate for expressing the conditional future action based on a past agreement. | Correct |
| on his condition that he is returning | "on his condition that" is not standard. "is returning" is an inappropriate tense here. | Incorrect |
| on condition that he will be return | "will be return" is grammatically incorrect. | Incorrect |
Therefore, the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment is "on the condition that he would return".
Revision Table: Key Grammar Points
| Grammar Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Idiom "On condition that" | Used to specify a necessary requirement for something else to happen. Can be "on condition that" or "on the condition that". | I will lend you the book on condition that you return it tomorrow. |
| Verb Tense/Form in Conditional Contexts | In clauses following "on condition that", referring to a future action, modal verbs like "will" or "would" are often used, depending on the main clause tense and the context (real vs. hypothetical/agreed). | She agreed to help on condition that I would finish my part first. (Refers to an agreement) |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The verb must agree in number and person with its subject. "He" requires a singular verb form (e.g., "he returns", "he is returning", "he will return", "he would return"), not "are return". | He returns the books. (Correct) He are return the books. (Incorrect) |
Additional Information: Conditional Clauses and Modals
The structure "on condition that..." introduces a type of conditional clause, specifying the terms under which an action will or would occur. The tense or modal verb used in the clause after "that" depends on the context and the tense of the main verb (like "agreed" in the original sentence).
- When the main verb is in the past tense (like "agreed"), and the condition refers to a future action relative to that past agreement, "would" is frequently used in the "on condition that" clause. This reflects a form of reported speech or a consequence agreed upon in the past.
- The construction "subject + be + return" (e.g., he is return, he are return, he will be return) is generally grammatically incorrect in active voice. "Return" is the base form of the verb. It should be used correctly in tenses (returns, returned, is returning, was returning, will return, would return, has returned, had returned, etc.). The structure "be + returning" forms the continuous tenses, and "be + returned" forms the passive voice (e.g., The notes will be returned).
Understanding the correct usage of idioms like "on condition that" and the appropriate verb forms in clauses expressing conditions is crucial for accurate English sentence construction.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
My old teacher gave many poor students money in spite of he was poor.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
You should to read the newspaper regularly if you want to be well-informed.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
If he had listening to me he would not have got lost.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
He asked for a bank loan also he didn't have sufficient resources.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
I went to the shop to buy some stationeries .
