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Question

Difficulty: MediumPhrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

After several hours of delicate negotiation, the mediator was able to ________ the union leaders to postpone the planned industrial action.

Which of the following phrasal/prepositional verbs correctly completes the sentence above?

  1. prevail uponAnswer
  2. B
    prevail over
  3. C
    prevail at
  4. D
    prevail to

Answer

prevail upon
The prepositional verb 'prevail upon' (or 'prevail on') means to persuade or induce someone to do something. In the given sentence, the mediator successfully persuaded the union leaders to postpone their strike.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The sentence describes a mediator successfully convincing union leaders to delay a strike.
Understanding the context clarifies that the required verb must express persuasion rather than conflict or defeat.
2
Distinguish between prepositional verb meanings of 'prevail'
'Prevail upon' means to persuade someone, while 'prevail over' means to overcome or triumph over someone.
Choosing 'prevail upon' correctly conveys the intended meaning of successful persuasion.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs
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Topics

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

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