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.

You cannot think so vilely of me as in opinion that in my old age I would smirch the fair name of my family.

  1. You cannot think so vilely of me as in opinion that

  2. You cannot think so vile of me as to opine that

  3. You cannot think so vile of me so as to opine that

  4. You cannot think so vilely about me so as to opine that

  5. You cannot think so vilely of me as to opine that
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): The sentence exhibits incorrect noun usage. 'As in opinion' ought to be replaced by 'as to opine'.

Explanation for (2): Option (2) rectifies the error of incorrect noun usage but introduces another error by replacing the adverb form 'vilely' with adjective form 'vile'.

Explanation for (3): Option (3) rectifies the error of incorrect noun usage but introduces other errors by replacing the adverb form 'vilely' with adjective form 'vile' and adding 'so' before 'as'.
Explanation for (4): Option (4) rectifies the error of incorrect noun usage but introduces other errors by replacing the preposition 'of' with 'about' and adding 'so' before 'as'. Justification for (5): The sentence exhibits incorrect noun usage. 'As in opinion' ought to be replaced by 'as to opine'. Option (5) rectifies the error.

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