Question

The company has been trading for almost 25 years and already has plenty of life left in it. A. almost 25 years and already B. already 25 years and almost C. nearly 25 years and already D. almost 25 years and still has E. already 25 years and nearly

Short answer

A. almost 25 years and already

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Question

The task is to choose the most appropriate phrase to complete the given sentence while maintaining correct grammar and meaning.

- Identify Key Phrases

Identify and understand the key phrases in the sentence 'The company has been trading for almost 25 years and already has plenty of life left in it.' Focus on 'almost 25 years' and 'already has plenty of life.'

- Evaluate Each Option

Review each option (A, B, C, D, E) to see which one best fits the context:A. 'almost 25 years and already'B. 'already 25 years and almost'C. 'nearly 25 years and already'D. 'almost 25 years and still has'E. 'already 25 years and nearly'Pay attention to grammar, syntax, and context.

- Eliminate Incorrect Options

Eliminate the options that do not fit correctly or alter the intended meaning of the sentence. Option B ('already 25 years and almost') and Option E ('already 25 years and nearly') are awkward in syntax and meaning. Option C ('nearly 25 years and already') uses 'nearly' which may be less appropriate than 'almost.' Option D ('almost 25 years and still has') changes 'already' to 'still has,' altering the sense of the sentence.

- Choose the Best Option

Choose the option that best maintains the original meaning and proper grammatical structure of the sentence. Option A ('almost 25 years and already') is the most fitting.

Key concepts

Understanding Grammar

Grammar is the foundation of any language. It allows for clear and coherent communication. In sentence correction, paying attention to grammatical rules is essential. For example, verbs should agree with their subjects, and proper tenses should be used.

In our exercise, 'The company has been trading for almost 25 years and already has plenty of life left in it', it's crucial to maintain consistent verb tenses and proper phrase structure.

• 'has been trading' is in the present perfect continuous tense, which indicates an action that started in the past and continues in the present.
• 'already has' uses the simple present tense to show a current state.

Ensuring these elements of grammar align makes the sentence correct and easy to understand.

The Role of Syntax

Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. A grammatically correct sentence can still be awkward because of poor syntax.

In our exercise, we need to ensure that the arrangement of phrases creates a smooth and logical flow. The phrases 'almost 25 years' and 'already has plenty of life' need proper placement.

• 'almost 25 years and already' (Option A) follows a logical sequence, maintaining the intended meaning.
• In contrast, 'already 25 years and almost' (Option B) feels jumbled and difficult to understand.

Correct syntax helps in conveying the intended message without causing confusion.

Importance of Context

Context determines how a sentence fits into its surrounding text and the overall message. Ignoring context can lead to sentences that are technically correct but don't make sense in the bigger picture.

In this exercise, 'The company has been trading for almost 25 years and already has plenty of life left in it,' the context shows that the company’s longevity and current status are being highlighted.

• 'Almost 25 years' makes sense because it indicates the long duration of trading.
• 'Already has' emphasizes the current vitality of the company despite its long trading history.

Understanding the context helps in choosing the option that best conveys the intended message.

Elimination Strategy

An effective Elimination Strategy helps in narrowing down multiple choices to find the correct one. It involves identifying and ruling out answers that contain grammatical errors, poor syntax, or irrelevant context.

Let's apply this strategy to the options given:

• Option B: 'already 25 years and almost' - Awkward syntax.
• Option E: 'already 25 years and nearly' - Misordered and unclear.
• Option C: 'nearly 25 years and already' - 'Nearly' is less suitable than 'almost.'
• Option D: 'almost 25 years and still has' - 'Still has' alters meaning.

Finally, Option A: 'almost 25 years and already' fits perfectly in terms of grammar, syntax, and context.

Using the elimination strategy makes solving sentence correction questions more manageable and efficient.