Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: I can cope up
Explanation:
Introduction:
This error spotting question tests knowledge of correct phrasal verb usage in English. Many learners add unnecessary particles like "up" to verbs, influenced by everyday speech. The exam, however, expects standard usage, especially with common expressions like "cope with".
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Complete sentence: "I do not think that I can cope up with this problem."
- The phrase under suspicion is "cope up".
- The standard phrasal structure in English is "cope with something", not "cope up with something".
- We assume neutral, formal exam English, not colloquial variations.
Concept / Approach:
The verb "cope" in the sense of handling a difficulty or problem is followed directly by the preposition "with". The correct expression is "cope with difficulties", "cope with pressure", or "cope with a problem". There is no "up" between "cope" and "with" in standard English. Therefore, the error lies in the extra particle "up", which should be removed.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Split the sentence into parts. Part A: "I do not think that". Part B: "I can cope up". Part C: "with this problem".Step 2: Check part A. It is a correct introductory clause for expressing an opinion.Step 3: Check part C. "with this problem" is a properly formed prepositional phrase.Step 4: Focus on part B. The expression "cope up" is not standard. The correct form is simply "cope".Step 5: Rewrite the sentence correctly: "I do not think that I can cope with this problem." This confirms that the error is in part B.
Verification / Alternative check:
Consider other examples from reliable sources: "How do you cope with stress?", "She is coping with her new responsibilities", "He found it hard to cope with the loss." In all of these, "cope" is directly followed by "with", not "cope up with". Grammar books and dictionaries list the pattern as "cope with something", confirming that "cope up" is wrong in this sense.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "I do not think that", is a standard and correct way to begin an opinion statement. Option C, "with this problem", is exactly the right prepositional phrase to follow "cope". Option D, "No error", cannot be correct because the expression "cope up" is clearly non standard. Only option B contains the faulty phrasal verb and must be selected as the error.
Common Pitfalls:
In spoken English, some people mistakenly say "cope up with" due to influence from other phrasal verbs like "put up with". This can lead exam candidates to accept "cope up with" as correct. To avoid this, remember that "cope" stands alone as the verb and always takes the preposition "with" directly afterward. Building a list of common verb plus preposition pairs helps solidify this knowledge for exams.
Final Answer:
The incorrect part is I can cope up, which should be "I can cope" so that the full phrase becomes "cope with this problem".
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