Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The provided sentence, "Invalids are not capable continued exertion," contains several grammatical inaccuracies that hinder its clarity and correctness. Effective communication relies on precise language, and even seemingly minor errors can alter the intended meaning. This response will identify these errors, provide a corrected version of the sentence, and explain the rationale behind the changes, demonstrating an understanding of fundamental English grammar principles. The sentence suffers from issues related to verb tense, adjective usage, and overall sentence structure.
Identifying the Errors
The original sentence presents several grammatical challenges:
- Incorrect Verb Form: "are capable continued exertion" is grammatically flawed. "Capable" requires a preposition to link it to the noun "exertion."
- Missing Preposition: The preposition "of" is missing before "continued exertion."
- Adjective vs. Noun: "Continued" functions as an adjective modifying "exertion," and the sentence structure doesn't reflect this correctly.
Corrected Sentence
The grammatically correct sentence is: "Invalids are not capable of continued exertion."
Detailed Explanation of Corrections
The corrections were made based on the following principles:
- Preposition "of": The preposition "of" was inserted after "capable" to establish the correct relationship between the adjective and the noun phrase. "Capable of" is the standard construction.
- Adjective Usage: "Continued" correctly modifies "exertion" as an adjective, describing the nature of the exertion.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: The verb "are" correctly agrees with the plural subject "Invalids."
Alternative Corrected Sentences (with slight nuance)
While the above is the most direct correction, other options exist, depending on the desired nuance:
- "Invalids are not capable of sustaining exertion." – This emphasizes the ability to *maintain* effort.
- "Invalids are incapable of continued exertion." – Using "incapable" directly conveys the lack of ability, making it slightly more concise.
Grammatical Rules Illustrated
This correction demonstrates several key grammatical rules:
- Adjective-Noun Relationship: Adjectives modify nouns, and the correct prepositional phrase ("of continued exertion") clarifies this relationship.
- Verb-Preposition Collocations: Certain verbs require specific prepositions (e.g., "capable of," "responsible for").
- Sentence Structure: A clear and concise sentence structure enhances readability and understanding.
Furthermore, the use of the adjective "continued" highlights the importance of descriptive language in conveying precise meaning. The sentence now accurately conveys the idea that invalids lack the ability to maintain physical or mental effort.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original sentence suffered from grammatical errors related to preposition usage and sentence structure. By inserting the preposition "of" and ensuring correct adjective placement, the sentence was corrected to "Invalids are not capable of continued exertion." This demonstrates the importance of adhering to fundamental grammatical principles for clear and effective communication. Understanding these principles is crucial for precise expression and avoiding ambiguity.
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.