Phrase replacement is one of the common topics that appear in various bank examinations. In this section, a sentence will be given with a part of it having errors.Candidates are asked to replace it with another phrase or sentence to make that sentence grammatically correct and contextually appropriate. 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. Practicing phrase replacement exercises can help candidates improve their language skills and prepare them for the exam effectively
Directions (Qs. 1 - 15): In this question, a part of the sentence is given in bold letters and four alternatives (A), (B), (C) and (D) are given as alternatives to the bold part to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Choose the correct alternative. In case no replacement is needed, mark (E) as your answer.
1. The CEO tried to pass up on the opportunity, but the investors were adamant about investing in the project.
A) pass up B) passed up on C) passing up D) passed E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The correct phrase to be used in this context is "pass up", which means 'to decline or reject'. So, the correct sentence should be: The CEO tried to pass up the opportunity, but the investors were adamant about investing in the project.
Ans: A
2. I always look forward to catching up with my friends, especially those who I haven't spoken with in a long time.
A) those whose B) those whom C) those whom's D) these who E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: "I always look forward to catching up with my friends, especially those whom I haven't spoken with in a long time" is the correct sentence. The phrasal error is "those who". "Who" is a subject pronoun,
and "whom" is an object pronoun. The correct usage is "those whom", which is the correct objective phrase.
Ans: B
3. The company was able to cut down on costs by laying off some of its employees.
A) cut in B) cut down in C) cut D) cuts up E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error is "cut down on".The correct phrasal verb is "cut", The phrase "cut" in this context means "to reduce or decrease something, such as costs or expenses."
Ans: C
4. I ran out of time to finish the report, so I will have to make for it tomorrow.
A) make up to B) make in C) making it D) catch up on E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error present in the sentence is "make up for". The correct phrasal verb is "catch up on", which means to complete or make progress on something missed. So, the correct sentence is: 'I ran out of time to finish the report, so I will have to catch up on it tomorrow.'
Ans: D
5. The new policy has resulted in a lot of pushback from employees who feel like
A) left out in B) left out for C) left out at D) left out from E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal verb "left out" means to exclude or omit someone or something from a group or activity. It is often used without the preposition "from", and it is more commonly followed by the object being left out. In this context, "left out from" is used to emphasize the context from which someone was excluded from the decision-making process.
Ans: D
6. Despite her busy schedule, the manager was able to follow up with all of her clients to ensure they were satisfied with the service.
A) follow up on B) follow up from C) follow up by D) follow up for E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal verb "follow up" means to take further action or to give additional attention to something that has already been started or discussed. It is often used in a professional or business context, but can also be used in personal contexts. In this context, the phrasal verb "follow up" is used with the preposition "on".
Ans: A
7. The company is looking for ways to scale up its business and increase profits.
A) scale up on B) scale C) scale on D) scale of E) scale for
Explanation: The phrasal error present in the sentence is "scale up." The correct phrasal verb is "scale," which means to expand or grow. So, the correct sentence should be: The company is looking for ways to scale its business and increase profits.
Ans: B
8. The speaker gave a shout out to all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.
A) shout out in B) shout to C) shout out to D) shout out for to E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrasal error present in the sentence is "shout out." The correct phrasal verb is "shout out," which means to publicly acknowledge or recognize someone or something (here for helping him). So, the correct sentence should be: The speaker gave a shout out to all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.
Ans: C
9. The company was forced to back down on its decision to relocate the headquarters after facing backlash from employees.
A) back down on his decision B) backs down on its decision C) back downs on its decisions D) back down from its decision E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The phrase "back down on" is incorrect. The correct phrasal verb is "back down from," which means to withdraw or retract from a decision or position. So, the correct sentence should be: The company was forced to back down from its decision to relocate the headquarters after facing backlash from employees.
Ans: D
10. She really hit the nail on the head when she suggested that we needed to rebrand the company to attract younger customers.
A) hit the nails through the head B) hitting the nail in the head C) hits the nail with the head D) hit the nail from the head E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: There is no error in the sentence. The idiom "hit the nail on the head" means to accurately identify or describe the main point or issue at hand. It is often used to refer to a statement or action that is precise, effective, and insightful. In the given sentence, the girl had accurately identified the main point.
Ans: E
11. When I heard that the new restaurant had a Michelin star, I knew it was going to cost an arm to a leg to eat there.
A) cost an arm and a leg B) cost an arm for a leg C) cost an arm in a leg D) cost an arm by a leg E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The idiom "cost an arm and a leg" is used to describe something that is very expensive, often to the point of being unaffordable or unreasonable. As per the given sentence, the food in Michelin star rated restaurant is very expensive.
Ans: A
12. Ever since she was passed over for the promotion, she has had a chip with her shoulder and has been quick to take offense at even the slightest criticism.
A) she has had a chip in her shoulder B) she has had a chip on her shoulder C) she has had a chip for her shoulder D) she has had a chip by her shoulder E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The idiom "chip on her shoulder" is used to describe someone who is easily offended or quick to feel resentful.
Ans: B
13. My daughter is the apple for my eye, and I will do anything to protect her.
A) the apple to my eye B) the apple in my eye C) the apple of my eye D) the apple by my eye E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The idiom "apple of my eye" is used to describe someone who is cherished above all others, someone who is very dear to a person's heart. Therefore, to say that someone is the apple of your eye is to say that they are the most important person in your life, and you value them above all others.
Ans: C
14. Markande likes to live on the floss by participating in extreme sports like skydiving and rock climbing
A) to live for the edge B) to live of the edge C) to live in the edge D) to live on the edge E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: The idiom "living on the edge" means to live dangerously or to take risks. In the example sentence, Markande's participation in extreme sports is seen as a risky or dangerous behavior that could potentially harm him. By living on the edge, he is intentionally putting himself in danger or at risk, perhaps for the adrenaline rush or thrill of the experience.
Ans: D
15. Despite being relatively unknown and trailing in the polls, the young senator emerged as a strong dark horse candidate in the presidential race, ultimately securing the nomination.
A) strong dark house candidate B) strong dark hands candidate C) strong dark hot candidate D) strong dark heart candidate E) No replacement is needed
Explanation: In this sentence, "dark horse candidate" refers to a little-known person who unexpectedly becomes a strong contender in a competition or election. In the example sentence, the young senator is described as a dark horse candidate because they were not initially considered a top contender for the presidential nomination, but managed to gain momentum and support over time.
Ans: E
Some Useful Tips...
* Understand the context: To solve phrase replacement questions, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the context in which the phrase is used. Read the entire sentence or paragraph and identify the main idea, the
tone, and the purpose of the text.
* Identify the type of phrase: The phrases used in the question can be idioms, proverbs, phrasal verbs, prepositional phrases, or other common phrases. Identify the type of phrase and its meaning to determine
whether it fits the context.
* Look for clues: The sentence itself or the surrounding sentences may contain clues that can help identify the correct phrasereplacement. Look for synonyms, antonyms, context clues, or grammatical clues that
indicate the correct answer.
