Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumIdiomatic Word Choice

To ensure the longevity of the fragile manuscript, the archivist insisted that all researchers adhere to the strict handling guidelines. These rules prevented accidental tears and exposure to moisture.

Which choice best completes the sentence in accordance with standard written English?

  1. NO CHANGEAnswer
  2. B
    adhere with
  3. C
    adhere by
  4. D
    adhere in

Answer

The correct option is 'NO CHANGE' because the verb 'adhere' idiomatically requires the preposition 'to' to express compliance with rules.
The correct choice is the one that retains 'adhere to', as the verb 'adhere' idiomatically requires the preposition 'to' when referring to following rules or guidelines.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and preposition combination underlined in the sentence.
The underlined phrase is 'adhere to'.
We must verify if 'adhere' is paired with the correct idiomatic preposition in the context of following guidelines.
2
Determine the correct idiomatic preposition that follows the verb 'adhere'.
In standard written English, 'adhere' always pairs with 'to' when referring to sticking to or following a set of rules.
Prepositional idioms are fixed and cannot be substituted with other prepositions even if they seem to convey a similar meaning.
3
Evaluate the alternative options against this idiomatic rule.
The options using 'with', 'by', and 'in' are incorrect because they fail to follow the standard idiomatic construction.
We eliminate options that use incorrect prepositions to connect 'adhere' with 'guidelines'.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions
Rate this question

Topics

Idiomatic Word Choice

More questions from this topic