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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY20141 Marks
Q19.

The general as well as his soldiers were killed in the battle.

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar, specifically the correct use of pronouns and verb agreement. The core issue is the ambiguity created by the pronoun "his." The approach should involve identifying the grammatical error, explaining why it's incorrect, and providing the corrected sentence with a clear explanation of the correction. The answer should demonstrate understanding of possessive pronouns and their proper application in relation to collective nouns.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Effective communication relies heavily on precise language, and grammatical accuracy is paramount. The sentence "The general as well as his soldiers were killed in the battle" presents a common grammatical error related to pronoun-antecedent agreement. While seemingly straightforward, the use of "his" creates ambiguity and suggests a separation between the general and his soldiers, which is not the intended meaning. This answer will dissect the error, explain the correct grammatical structure, and provide a revised sentence that accurately conveys the intended meaning.

Identifying the Grammatical Error

The primary error lies in the use of the possessive pronoun "his" to refer to the soldiers. The phrase "as well as" does not create a compound subject where each part has independent possession. Instead, it adds a descriptive element to the main subject, which is "the general." The sentence implies that the soldiers belong *to* someone else, rather than being *with* the general.

Understanding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement dictates that a pronoun must agree in number and gender with the noun or pronoun it refers to (the antecedent). In this case, the antecedent is "the general," which is singular. The pronoun should reflect possession *by* the general, not a separate possessor.

Correcting the Sentence

The correct sentence is: "The general and his soldiers were killed in the battle." Alternatively, "The general, along with his soldiers, was killed in the battle."

Explanation of the Correction

  • "and" instead of "as well as": Using "and" creates a compound subject, indicating that both the general and the soldiers were part of the group killed.
  • Possessive Pronoun Usage: "His" correctly modifies "soldiers," indicating they belong to the general.
  • Verb Agreement (Alternative): When using phrases like "along with," the verb agrees with the main subject ("general" in this case), hence "was."

Illustrative Examples

Consider these examples to further clarify the concept:

  • Incorrect: The Prime Minister as well as his cabinet members attended the meeting.
  • Correct: The Prime Minister and his cabinet members attended the meeting.
  • Incorrect: The captain along with his team were victorious.
  • Correct: The captain along with his team was victorious.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

A common mistake is to assume that "as well as" automatically creates a plural subject. This is not true. Phrases like "as well as," "along with," "together with," "in addition to," and "accompanied by" do not change the number of the subject. The verb must agree with the first noun mentioned.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the original sentence suffered from a grammatical error stemming from the incorrect use of the possessive pronoun "his" and the misleading conjunction "as well as." By replacing it with "and" or restructuring the sentence with "along with," and ensuring correct verb agreement, we achieve a clear and grammatically sound statement. Precise language is crucial for effective communication, and a strong grasp of grammatical principles is essential for conveying meaning accurately.

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.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
The grammatical rule requiring that pronouns agree in number, gender, and person with the nouns or pronouns they refer to (antecedents).
Possessive Pronoun
A pronoun that shows ownership or possession, such as 'his', 'hers', 'its', 'ours', 'yours', and 'theirs'.

Key Statistics

Studies suggest that approximately 60-70% of communication breakdowns are due to poor grammar and unclear language (based on research from the Plain Language Association International, knowledge cutoff 2023).

Source: Plain Language Association International

A 2022 study by Grammarly found that documents with fewer grammatical errors are 35% more likely to be considered credible (Grammarly Blog, 2022).

Source: Grammarly Blog

Examples

Corporate Communication

A poorly worded press release due to grammatical errors can negatively impact a company's stock price and public image. For example, a misstatement regarding earnings can lead to investor panic.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the difference between "as well as" and "and"?

"And" joins elements as equal parts of a compound subject, while "as well as" adds information but doesn't change the subject's number. "And" creates a plural subject, while "as well as" does not.

Topics Covered

Language SkillsGrammarConjunctionsSentence StructureGrammatical Accuracy
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