Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Both he as well as his friends are aiming to become world famous chefs.

  1. Both he as well as his friends are aiming to become world famous chefs.

  2. Both his friends as well as he are aiming to become world famous chefs.

  3. Both his friends and he is aiming to become world famous chefs.

  4. He as well as his friends is aiming to become world famous chefs.

  5. His both friends as well as he are aiming to become world famous chefs.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): Type of error: Pronoun usage

The sentence is incorrect because 'both' and 'as well as' cannot be used together in a sentence.

Explanation for (2): The sentence is incorrect because 'both' and 'as well as' cannot be used together in a sentence.
Explanation for (3):  When we use 'both', the verb that follows has to be in plural form. The singular verb 'is' should be replaced by the plural verb 'are'.
Justification for (4):  If 'as well as' is to be used, the verb must be according to the first subject. In this sentence, the first subject 'he' is a singular subject and the verb 'is' is a singular verb. Therefore, this option makes the sentence correct. Explanation for (5):  'His both friends' is incorrect usage.

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