The phrase replacement topic is a crucial part of bank exams, designed to assess candidates' language proficiency and ability to identify errors or improve sentences. In this section, candidates are presented with a sentence or a part of a sentence that needs correction or improvement. They are required to choose the option that best fits grammatically and contextually. This section tests the candidates' understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and their ability to comprehend the given information and convey it effectively. The phrases or sentences that are provided as options may have subtle differences in their meaning or tone, which requires the candidates to be careful in their selection. Mastering this topic is essential for achieving a high score in bank exams.
Directions (Qs. 1 - 14): In this question, a part of the sentence is given in bold letters and four alternatives (A), (B), (C) and (D) are given to the bold part to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Choose the correct alternative. In case no replacement is needed, 6mark (E) as your answer.
1. The company's profits went down due to the intense competition it was facing from other market players.
A) it faced B) it face C) facing it D) faces E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the unnecessary use of "was facing". The correct phrase to be used in this context is "it faced." Because, here the sentence structure is in simple past tense (went) and the remaining sentence is simplified by using the simple past tense form of the verb "face,"(faced). So, the correct sentence should be: The company's profits went down due to the intense competition it faced from other market players.
Ans: A
2. The team leader asked his subordinates to keep up with the high productivity levels in order to meet the set targets.
A) to keeping up B) to keep up C) to kept up D) keep it up E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the unnecessary inclusion of "with" after "keep up." The correct phrasing uses "keep up" as a verb without the preposition "with." The phrase "keep up" means to maintain or sustain. So, the correctsentence should be: The team leader asked his subordinates to keep up the high productivity levels in order to meet the set targets.
Ans: B
3. The manager advised his employees to look into the matter thoroughly before coming up at a conclusion.
A) comes to B) came to C) coming to D) come to E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "coming up at". The correct usage is "coming to. "The phrase" coming to a conclusion" means reaching a decision or forming an opinion. So, the correct sentence should be: The manager advised his employees to look into the matter thoroughly before coming to a conclusion.
Ans: C
4. The IT minister emphasized the need for the team members to catch up with the latest industry trends and adapt accordingly.
A) catch up by B) catch up to C) catch up for D) catch up on E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is "catch up with". The correct phrase should be "catch up on." The phrase "catch up on" means to become informed about or up to date with something. So, the correct sentence is: The IT minister emphasized the need for the team
members to catch up on the latest industry it ends and adapt accordingly.
Ans: D
5. The government is determined to carry forward with the reforms despite facing strong opposition.
A) carried forward B) carrying forward with C) carried forward with D) carry forward E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the unnecessary inclusion of "with" after "carry forward." The correct phrasing uses "carry forward" as a verb without the preposition "with." In the context provided, the phrase "carry forward" means to continue or proceed with something. It suggests that despite facing strong opposition or challenges, the government is determined to proceed or continue with the reforms. So, the correct sentence should be: The government is determined to carry forward the reforms despite facing strong opposition.
Ans: D
6. The CBI officer asked his subordinates to hold on their opinions until all the facts have been presented.
A) hold on to B) holding on C) holds on to D) held on E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "hold on" instead of "hold on to." In the context of the sentence, the phrase "hold on to" means to maintain or keep their opinions without changing or expressing them until all the facts have been presented. So, the correct sentence should be: The CBI officer asked his subordinates to hold on to their opinions until all the facts have been presented.
Ans: A
7. The company was forced to give away with its expansion plans due to financial constraints.
A) going away with B) do away with C) doing away with D) goes away with E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "give away with." The correct usage should be "do away with." In the given context, the phrase "do away with" means to eliminate or get rid of something. It implies removing or discontinuing something that is no longer desired or necessary. So, the correct sentence should be: The company was forced to do away with its expansion plans due to financial constraints.
Ans: B
8. The marketing team needs to come across with effective strategies to promote the new product in the market.
A) coming up with B) coming across C) come up with D) coming across with E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "come across" instead of "come up with." The phrase "come up with" means to produce or generate something, which is the intended meaning in this sentence. So, the correct sentence should be: The marketing team needs to come up with effective strategies to promote the new product in the market.
Ans: C
9. The company plans to set up a new branch office to cater up to the increasing customer demand.
A) to catering to B) for cater to C) for catering up to D) to cater to E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the unnecessary inclusion of "up" after "cater." The verb "cater" doesn't require the preposition "up" in this context. The phrase "to cater to" means to fulfil or satisfy the needs or demands of someone or something (here customers). So, the correct sentence should be: The company plans to set up a new branch office to cater to the increasing customer demand.
Ans: D
10. The project manager assured the stakeholders that he would carry out the project as per according to the outlined schedule.
A) according to B) per according to C) as according to D) according per to E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the unnecessary use of "as per" in the sentence. The correct phrase used should be "according to." In the given context, the phrase "according to" is used to indicate that something is based on or in agreement with a particular source, authority, or set of information. So, the correct sentence should be: The project manager assured the stakeholders that he would carry out the project according to the outlined schedule.
Ans: A
11. The manager asked his team members to come up with innovative ideas for overcoming the current market challenges.
A) to overcome B) by overcoming C) for overcome D) with overcoming E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "for overcoming" instead of "to overcome." The correct phrasing uses the infinitive form of the verb after "ideas." The phrase "to overcome" is commonly used to indicate the act of successfully addressing or surpassing obstacles, challenges, or difficulties.So, the correct sentence should be: The manager asked his team members to come up with innovative ideas to overcome the current market challenges.
Ans: A
12. The professor advised the students to look up for additional references to support their arguments.
A) to looking for B) to look up C) for looking to D) for look up E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the unnecessary inclusion of "for" after the phrase "look up." The phrasal verb "look up" already conveys the action of searching or researching something. So, the correct sentence should be: The professor advised the students to look up additional references to support their arguments.
Ans: B
13. The government needs to crack down on the widespread corruption prevail in the bureaucracy.
A) is prevail B) proviolent C) prevalent D) valency E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "prevail". The correct word used here should be "prevalent." The word "prevalent" is the correct adjective that should be used in the context to describe the corruption, which is widespread or commonly existing the bureaucracy. So, the correct sentence should be: The government needs to crack down on the widespread corruption prevalent in the bureaucracy.
Ans: C
14. The CEO is looking forward to take on new challenges and bringing about positive changes in the organization.
A) for take on B) for taking on C) to take on D) to taking on E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error here is the incorrect use of "to take on" instead of the gerund form "taking on." The word "taking on" is used to describe an ongoing or continuous action in the present or past, while "to take on" indicates an intention or future action. The choice between these phrases depends on the specific context and the intended meaning you want to convey. In this sentence, the CEO is expressing anticipation for the action of taking on new challenges. So, the correct sentence should be: The CEO is looking forward to taking on new challenges and bringing about positive changes in the organization.
Ans: D
