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Question

Difficulty: EasyConjunctions and Clause Structure

Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence below?

The community development project will proceed according to schedule, ______ the funding is released by the ministry before Friday.

  1. provided thatAnswer
  2. B
    despite
  3. C
    in spite of
  4. D
    unless

Answer

The correct option is 'provided that' because it introduces a subordinate clause of condition introduced by a finite clause.
'Provided that' is a complex subordinating conjunction used to introduce an adverbial clause of condition. Because the element following the blank is a complete finite clause ('the funding is released...'), a subordinating conjunction is required to join it to the main clause, establishing that the release of funds is the condition for proceeding.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure following the blank
The segment 'the funding is released by the ministry before Friday' contains a complete subject ('the funding') and predicate ('is released...'), making it a finite subordinate clause.
Determines whether a conjunction or a preposition is required.
2
Distinguish between prepositions and conjunctions
Prepositions like 'despite' and 'in spite of' cannot introduce finite clauses directly without a relative structure like 'the fact that'. Subordinating conjunctions like 'provided that' and 'unless' can introduce full clauses.
Eliminates grammatically invalid prepositional choices.
3
Evaluate the logical context of the sentence
The main clause states the project will proceed under the positive condition that funds are released. 'Provided that' correctly expresses this prerequisite, whereas 'unless' ('if not') produces an illogical meaning.
Selects the conjunction that maintains both correct grammar and coherent logic.

Key Concept

Subordinating Conjunctions of Condition vs. Prepositions
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Topics

Conjunctions and Clause Structure

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