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’. Lavanya was happy to see that the tree they had planted the previous year has grow quite taller.
had grown quite tall
Analyzing the Sentence and Identifying Errors
The original sentence is: "Lavanya was happy to see that the tree they had planted the previous year has grow quite taller."
We need to examine the underlined segment: "has grow quite taller". Let's break down the potential issues in this phrase.
- Verb Form: The present perfect tense form of the verb "to grow" is "has grown". The original sentence uses "has grow", which is grammatically incorrect. The past perfect "had grown" might also be appropriate depending on the timeline relative to "was happy". Since the tree grew before Lavanya was happy, the past perfect "had grown" fits well to show an action completed before another past action.
- Adjective/Adverb Form: The sentence uses "taller", which is the comparative form of the adjective "tall". While comparing the tree's current height to its previous height implicitly uses comparison, the use of "quite" before "taller" is generally awkward. "Quite" typically modifies an adjective in its positive degree (e.g., "quite tall") or an adverb. Using "quite" with a comparative form like "taller" is less common and often sounds unnatural. The positive degree "tall" is more appropriate when describing the tree's height without explicit comparison to another specific tree, especially with "quite".
Therefore, the underlined segment "has grow quite taller" contains grammatical errors in both the verb form and the adjective/adverb usage.
Evaluating the Substitution Options
Let's look at the provided options to find the most appropriate substitution.
- had grown quite tall: This option corrects the verb form to the past perfect "had grown", which correctly places the tree's growth before Lavanya's happiness. It also changes "taller" to the positive degree "tall", which fits well with "quite". This option appears grammatically sound and idiomatic.
- had grow quite taller: This option corrects "has" to "had" but keeps the incorrect base form "grow" instead of the past participle "grown". It also retains the awkward "quite taller". This option is incorrect.
- No substitution required: As identified earlier, the original segment "has grow quite taller" contains grammatical errors. Therefore, a substitution is required. This option is incorrect.
- had grown quite tallest: This option corrects the verb form to "had grown". However, it uses the superlative form "tallest". The superlative form is used to compare one item to three or more items. The sentence is describing a single tree's growth, not comparing its height to multiple other trees' heights. Therefore, "tallest" is inappropriate here. This option is incorrect.
Conclusion on the Correct Option
Based on the analysis, the option that correctly addresses both the verb form and the adjective usage to make the sentence grammatically correct and natural-sounding is "had grown quite tall". The past perfect "had grown" indicates the growth was completed before Lavanya saw the tree, and "quite tall" is a standard and appropriate way to describe significant height.
Revision Table: Grammar Check
| Original Segment | Verb Form | Adjective/Adverb | Grammatical Correctness |
|---|---|---|---|
| has grow quite taller | has grow (Incorrect) | quite taller (Awkward) | Incorrect |
| had grown quite tall | had grown (Correct Past Perfect) | quite tall (Correct) | Correct |
| had grow quite taller | had grow (Incorrect) | quite taller (Awkward) | Incorrect |
| had grown quite tallest | had grown (Correct Past Perfect) | quite tallest (Incorrect Superlative) | Incorrect |
Additional Information: Understanding Verb Tenses and Adjective Degrees
This question highlights the importance of using the correct verb tense and the appropriate degree of adjectives.
Verb Tenses: Past Perfect vs. Present Perfect
- Present Perfect (has/have + past participle): Used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or actions completed in the past but with relevance to the present. Example: "She has finished her homework." (The homework is finished now).
- Past Perfect (had + past participle): Used for actions completed before another action or point in time in the past. Example: "By the time I arrived, she had finished her homework." (Finishing happened before arriving). In the original sentence, the tree grew ("had grown") before Lavanya saw it and was happy ("was happy").
Degrees of Adjectives
- Positive Degree: The basic form of the adjective, used when not making comparisons. Example: "tall".
- Comparative Degree: Used to compare two things. Example: "taller" (usually followed by "than").
- Superlative Degree: Used to compare three or more things, indicating the highest degree. Example: "tallest" (usually preceded by "the").
In the context of the sentence, "quite tall" describes the tree's height using the positive degree, modified by the intensifier "quite". While one might argue for a comparison implicitly made to the tree's previous height, the structure "quite taller" is not standard English usage. "Quite tall" is the appropriate phrasing when using "quite" to describe significant height.
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 .
