Rewrite the following sentences after making necessary corrections. Do not make unnecessary changes in the original sentence : (iv) Give me a pencil to write.

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar and sentence construction. The approach should be to identify the grammatical error (incorrect preposition usage) and correct it while maintaining the original meaning. Focus on clarity and conciseness. The correction should be a simple, direct fix, avoiding unnecessary alterations to the sentence structure. The answer should demonstrate understanding of correct preposition usage in English.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Correct sentence construction is fundamental to effective communication. This question assesses the ability to identify and rectify a common grammatical error – the misuse of prepositions. Prepositions indicate relationships between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence, and their accurate usage is crucial for conveying the intended meaning. The given sentence, while understandable, contains a prepositional error that needs to be addressed to achieve grammatical correctness.

The original sentence is: "Give me a pencil to write."

Identifying the Error

The error lies in the preposition "to." While "to" is a versatile preposition, it's incorrectly used here to indicate the purpose of the pencil. The correct preposition to use when specifying the *purpose* for which something is needed is "for."

Corrected Sentence

The corrected sentence is: "Give me a pencil for writing."

Explanation of the Correction

"For" indicates purpose: The preposition "for" clearly establishes that the pencil is being requested *in order to* write.
Maintaining Original Meaning: The correction does not alter the core meaning of the sentence. It still conveys the request for a pencil to be used for the act of writing.
Conciseness: The corrected sentence remains concise and direct, avoiding unnecessary additions or changes.

Why other options are incorrect

Using "with" would suggest writing *using* the pencil as a tool, but doesn't convey the purpose of obtaining it.
Using "by" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the most accurate and grammatically sound correction is to replace "to" with "for."

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correction of the sentence "Give me a pencil to write" to "Give me a pencil for writing" demonstrates a fundamental understanding of English preposition usage. The change ensures grammatical accuracy while preserving the original intent of the sentence. This seemingly small correction highlights the importance of precise language in effective communication.

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

Preposition

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, spatial relationships, or other connections.

Grammatical Correctness

Grammatical correctness refers to the adherence to the rules and conventions of a language's grammar, ensuring clarity, precision, and effective communication.

Key Statistics

According to a 2022 study by Grammarly, approximately 20% of all writing errors are related to incorrect preposition usage.

Source: Grammarly Blog (2022)

A 2021 report by Cambridge Assessment English indicated that approximately 60% of non-native English speakers struggle with accurate preposition usage.

Source: Cambridge Assessment English (2021)

Examples

Common Preposition Errors

A frequent error is confusing "in" and "on." For example, saying "I live in the city" is correct, while "I live on the city" is incorrect. Similarly, "The book is on the table" is correct, while "The book is in the table" is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the difference between 'for' and 'to' when expressing purpose?

'To' often indicates direction or an infinitive verb (to write, to eat). 'For' indicates purpose or reason (writing for pleasure, a gift for a friend).

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