त्वरित लिंक्स
English Language
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In advanced English syntax, lexical valency, and idiomatic variation, the precise combination of prepositions and phrasal verbs dictates both grammatical correctness and semantic nuance. Consider the following four advanced propositions regarding prepositions and phrasal verbs:I. The phrasal verb 'to fall back on' implies resorting to an alternative plan, resource, or contingency when primary measures fail, functioning transitively with an obligatory direct object introduced by the preposition 'on'.II. In formal English, preposition stranding—where a preposition is left stranded at the end of a clause or sentence in wh-movement or relativization (e.g., 'Whom are you speaking to?')—is strictly prohibited by prescriptive grammar, whereas pied-piping is the only syntactically permissible option in all registers.III. The verb 'comprise' is frequently misused with the preposition 'of' (i.e., *'to comprise of'*); however, in standard passive and active syntax, 'comprise' means 'to consist of' or 'to include' and directly governs its object without any intervening preposition (e.g., 'The committee comprises five experts').IV. The intransitive phrasal-prepositional verb combination 'to look forward to' requires the gerundial form (-ing) for any subsequent verb because the word 'to' acts as a genuine preposition governing a nominal complement rather than as a to-infinitive marker.Identify the option that correctly evaluates the grammatical, syntactic, and semantic validity of propositions I, II, III, and IV according to standard English prepositions and phrasal verbs theory.
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Detailed Explanation
To determine the correct evaluation of the propositions:
• Proposition I is correct: 'To fall back on' is a well-established phrasal-prepositional verb meaning to resort to a secondary resource or backup plan in times of need.
• Proposition II is incorrect: While prescriptive grammar historically discouraged preposition stranding in formal writing, it is a natural, fully acceptable syntactic feature of Germanic languages like English, particularly in spoken and informal-to-standard registers (e.g., interrogatives and relative clauses). Pied-piping is permitted, but claiming stranding is 'strictly prohibited in all registers' is false.
• Proposition III is correct: 'Comprise' means 'to include' or 'to embrace' and takes a direct object. Writing or saying 'comprises of' is a common redundancy error; the correct active form is 'The committee comprises five experts' (though the passive 'is comprised of' has gained widespread colloquial acceptance, strict standard grammar prefers 'composed of' or 'comprises' without 'of').
• Proposition IV is correct: In 'to look forward to', 'to' is a preposition, not a part of an infinitive marker. Therefore, it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (e.g., 'looking forward to meeting you', not 'to meet').
Thus, propositions I, III, and IV are correct, making b the right choice. For further reading, consult the Wikipedia entry on Phrasal verbs.
• Proposition I is correct: 'To fall back on' is a well-established phrasal-prepositional verb meaning to resort to a secondary resource or backup plan in times of need.
• Proposition II is incorrect: While prescriptive grammar historically discouraged preposition stranding in formal writing, it is a natural, fully acceptable syntactic feature of Germanic languages like English, particularly in spoken and informal-to-standard registers (e.g., interrogatives and relative clauses). Pied-piping is permitted, but claiming stranding is 'strictly prohibited in all registers' is false.
• Proposition III is correct: 'Comprise' means 'to include' or 'to embrace' and takes a direct object. Writing or saying 'comprises of' is a common redundancy error; the correct active form is 'The committee comprises five experts' (though the passive 'is comprised of' has gained widespread colloquial acceptance, strict standard grammar prefers 'composed of' or 'comprises' without 'of').
• Proposition IV is correct: In 'to look forward to', 'to' is a preposition, not a part of an infinitive marker. Therefore, it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (e.g., 'looking forward to meeting you', not 'to meet').
Thus, propositions I, III, and IV are correct, making b the right choice. For further reading, consult the Wikipedia entry on Phrasal verbs.
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