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. Not only he, but also his mates, is trying best to achieve growth and success.

  1. Not only he, but also his mates, is trying best to achieve growth and success.

  2. He along with his mates are trying their best to achieve growth and success.

  3. Not only he, but also his mates, are trying their best to achieve growth and success.

  4. His mates in addition to him are trying best to achieve growth and success.
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C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): In case of 'not only-but also', the verb should be used according to the second subject. The first subject in this case is “he” and the second subject is “his mates”, which means that we need plural verb 'are' in place of “is”. Also, there is the error of missing possessive pronoun 'his' or 'their'.

Explanation for (2): In case of additives like 'along with' the verb should agree with the first subject which in this case is singular. Hence, the verb in this case should be singular “is” and the possessive should be singular 'his'.

Justification for (3): Type of error: subject-verb agreement and missing possessive pronoun. Since this is a case of 'not only but also', the second plural subject which in this case is “his mates” must be supported by a plural verb which in this case is “are”. Also, the possessive 'their' is appropriate here.
Explanation for (4): Since we are using 'in addition to', the verb should be used according to the first subject which is singular. Thus 'are' should be changed to 'is' in order to make the sentence correct. Also, there is the error of missing possessive pronoun 'his' or 'their'. Explanation for (5): The plural verb “are” doesn't support the singular second subject “he”, thereby making the sentence incorrect.

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