Prepositions (phrasal pattern “play off A against B”): Fill in the blank with the correct preposition “The English schemed to continue their rule in India by playing off one community ______ the other.” Choose the correct option.

Given data

• Phrasal pattern: “play off A ______ B.”

Concept/ApproachThe fixed expression is play off A against B meaning to exploit the rivalry between two sides.

Option analysisagainst — correct and idiomatic.before/upon/with — do not form the phrasal pattern here.

Final Answeragainst