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Question

Difficulty: HardPrepositions and Prepositional Phrases

During the corporate restructuring process, the executive director was divested _____ all administrative powers pending the conclusion of the audit. Which preposition correctly completes the sentence below?

  1. ofAnswer
  2. B
    from
  3. C
    with
  4. D
    off

Answer

The correct preposition is 'of', making the full sentence read: 'During the corporate restructuring process, the executive director was divested of all administrative powers pending the conclusion of the audit.'
In standard formal English, the verb 'divest' strictly governs the dependent preposition 'of' when signifying the removal or deprivation of power, title, rights, or possessions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head verb in the main clause requiring a prepositional complement.
The target verb is 'divested' in the passive construction 'was divested _____'.
Certain formal English verbs require specific dependent prepositions to complete their meaning.
2
Determine the standard dependent preposition required by the verb 'divest'.
The standard collocation rule dictates 'divest [someone] of [something]'.
The preposition 'of' expresses deprivation or dispossessing in formal grammatical structure.

Key Concept

Dependent prepositions with verbs of deprivation and dispossessing
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Topics

Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

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