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Question

Difficulty: HardPrepositions and Prepositional Phrases

The newly appointed management board initiated a comprehensive restructuring plan _____ operational efficiency across all regional subsidiaries. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence?

  1. with a view to improvingAnswer
  2. B
    with a view of improving
  3. C
    with a view to improve
  4. D
    with the view of improving

Answer

with a view to improving
The expression 'with a view to' is a fixed multi-word prepositional phrase meaning 'with the intention of'. In this idiom, 'to' is a preposition (not an infinitive marker), so it must be followed by a gerund ('improving'). Therefore, the phrase stating 'with a view to improving' is the only grammatically correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target idiomatic prepositional phrase required by the sentence context.
The intended meaning is 'with the intention or aim of', which corresponds to the fixed English complex preposition 'with a view to'.
Standard English grammar requires exact adherence to fixed multi-word prepositional expressions.
2
Determine the correct complement structure following 'with a view to'.
Since 'to' functions as a preposition within this specific phrase (and not as part of an infinitive verb), it must be followed by a noun phrase or a gerund ('improving').
Prepositions in English must take nominal complements, making the '-ing' form mandatory after prepositional 'to'.

Key Concept

Complex Prepositional Phrases and Prepositional 'To' with Gerunds
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Topics

Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

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