Rewrite the following sentences after making necessary corrections. Do not make unnecessary changes in the original sentence : (i) The older the wine, better it tastes.

Grammatical accuracy is fundamental to effective communication, and even seemingly minor errors can impact clarity and credibility. This question assesses the ability to identify and correct a common grammatical mistake in a sentence. The error lies in the improper use of the comparative degree of an adjective within a correlative construction. Correcting such errors demonstrates a strong command of English language conventions, a skill crucial for clear and concise writing, particularly in the context of the UPSC Mains examination where precise articulation of thoughts is paramount. The original sentence contains a grammatical error. The correct sentence is: Corrected Sentence: The older the wine, the better it tastes. Explanation of the Correction: The original sentence, "The older the wine, better it tastes," is incorrect because it lacks the necessary correlative conjunction 'the' before 'better'. This construction, known as a correlative comparison, requires the use of 'the' before both comparative adjectives. It follows the pattern: 'the + comparative adjective, the + comparative adjective'. Correlative Conjunctions: These are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect two equal grammatical structures. Examples include 'both...and', 'either...or', 'neither...nor', and 'the...the'. Comparative Adjectives: These adjectives are used to compare two things. They are often formed by adding '-er' to the adjective (e.g., older, taller) or by using 'more' before the adjective (e.g., more beautiful, more expensive). In this case, 'older' and 'better' are comparative adjectives, and the correlative construction 'the...the' is essential for grammatical correctness. Omitting 'the' before 'better' creates an incomplete and grammatically flawed sentence. The corrected sentence, "The older the wine, the better it tastes," accurately reflects the relationship between the age of the wine and its taste, using proper grammatical structure. It is important to note that no other changes were made to the original sentence, adhering to the instructions provided in the question. In conclusion, the correction of the sentence demonstrates a fundamental understanding of English grammar, specifically the correct application of correlative conjunctions and comparative adjectives. Maintaining grammatical accuracy is vital for effective communication, and this exercise highlights the importance of attention to detail in written expression. The corrected sentence, "The older the wine, the better it tastes," is grammatically sound and conveys the intended meaning clearly and concisely.

What if the sentence used superlative adjectives instead of comparative?

The 'the...the' construction is primarily used with comparative adjectives. Superlative adjectives (e.g., best, oldest) don't typically fit this pattern. A different sentence structure would be required.

Question 9 | UPSC Mains ENGLISH-COMPULSORY 2017

Model Answer

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Introduction

Grammatical accuracy is fundamental to effective communication, and even seemingly minor errors can impact clarity and credibility. This question assesses the ability to identify and correct a common grammatical mistake in a sentence. The error lies in the improper use of the comparative degree of an adjective within a correlative construction. Correcting such errors demonstrates a strong command of English language conventions, a skill crucial for clear and concise writing, particularly in the context of the UPSC Mains examination where precise articulation of thoughts is paramount.

The original sentence contains a grammatical error. The correct sentence is:

Corrected Sentence:

The older the wine, the better it tastes.

Explanation of the Correction:

The original sentence, "The older the wine, better it tastes," is incorrect because it lacks the necessary correlative conjunction 'the' before 'better'. This construction, known as a correlative comparison, requires the use of 'the' before both comparative adjectives. It follows the pattern: 'the + comparative adjective, the + comparative adjective'.

Correlative Conjunctions: These are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect two equal grammatical structures. Examples include 'both...and', 'either...or', 'neither...nor', and 'the...the'.
Comparative Adjectives: These adjectives are used to compare two things. They are often formed by adding '-er' to the adjective (e.g., older, taller) or by using 'more' before the adjective (e.g., more beautiful, more expensive).

In this case, 'older' and 'better' are comparative adjectives, and the correlative construction 'the...the' is essential for grammatical correctness. Omitting 'the' before 'better' creates an incomplete and grammatically flawed sentence.

The corrected sentence, "The older the wine, the better it tastes," accurately reflects the relationship between the age of the wine and its taste, using proper grammatical structure.

It is important to note that no other changes were made to the original sentence, adhering to the instructions provided in the question.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correction of the sentence demonstrates a fundamental understanding of English grammar, specifically the correct application of correlative conjunctions and comparative adjectives. Maintaining grammatical accuracy is vital for effective communication, and this exercise highlights the importance of attention to detail in written expression. The corrected sentence, "The older the wine, the better it tastes," is grammatically sound and conveys the intended meaning clearly and concisely.

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.

Rewrite the following sentences after making necessary corrections. Do not make unnecessary changes in the original sentence : (i) The older the wine, better it tastes.

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Corrected Sentence:

Explanation of the Correction:

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