Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Conditional sentences are a fundamental aspect of English grammar, expressing that one event is dependent on another. They are categorized into different types based on the probability of the condition being met. The given sentence, "In the event of his being late, he will be punished," while understandable, contains a grammatical awkwardness common in less formal English. This answer will dissect the sentence, identify the grammatical issue related to the gerund construction following "of," and provide a corrected version along with a detailed explanation of the grammatical principles involved.
Identifying the Grammatical Issue
The primary issue lies in the phrase "his being late." While not strictly incorrect, it's stylistically awkward and less common in formal English. The use of the gerund ("being") after "of" in this context creates a somewhat cumbersome construction. Conditional sentences, particularly Type 1 (likely to happen), generally benefit from a more direct and concise phrasing.
Understanding Conditional Sentence Types
Before correcting the sentence, it’s crucial to understand the different types of conditional sentences:
- Type 0: If + present simple, present simple (General truths) - If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
- Type 1: If + present simple, will + base form (Likely to happen) - If it rains, I will stay home.
- Type 2: If + past simple, would + base form (Unlikely to happen) - If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
- Type 3: If + past perfect, would have + past participle (Impossible, referring to the past) - If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
The given sentence implies a real possibility of the person being late, making it a Type 1 conditional. Therefore, clarity and directness are paramount.
Correcting the Sentence
The sentence can be corrected in several ways, all aiming for greater clarity and grammatical precision. Here are a few options:
- Option 1: If he is late, he will be punished. (Most direct and preferred)
- Option 2: Should he be late, he will be punished. (More formal, using inversion)
- Option 3: In the event that he is late, he will be punished. (Replaces the awkward "being" with a clearer clause)
Option 1 is the most straightforward and commonly used. Option 2 is more formal and employs inversion, which is grammatically correct but less frequent in everyday speech. Option 3 maintains the "in the event" phrasing but replaces the gerund with a standard clause.
Explanation of the Correction
The corrected sentences replace the gerund "being" with a finite verb ("is"). This creates a more standard and easily understood conditional clause. The use of "if" directly introduces the condition, making the sentence's meaning unambiguous. The original sentence's construction, while not technically wrong, lacks the elegance and clarity expected in formal writing, particularly in a context like a UPSC examination where precision is valued.
Further Considerations
The sentence also implicitly suggests a rule or policy. In a legal or administrative context, the phrasing "If he is late, he will be punished" might be part of a documented regulation. Understanding the context can further refine the choice of phrasing, but the core grammatical correction remains the same.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original sentence, while conveying the intended meaning, suffers from a grammatical awkwardness due to the use of the gerund "being" after "of." Correcting it to "If he is late, he will be punished" or one of the other suggested alternatives enhances clarity, adheres to standard English grammar, and demonstrates a strong understanding of conditional sentence construction. This type of grammatical precision is crucial for effective communication and is highly valued in formal writing assessments.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.