Improve the underlined phrase in the sentence "The patient died (of a wound and not of) cancer" by choosing the most appropriate and grammatically correct preposition combination.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of correct preposition usage in English, particularly with the verb "die". In competitive exams, fine distinctions like "die of" and "die from" are frequently tested because they reveal how well you know idiomatic and standard grammar patterns. The sentence involves a contrast between two possible causes of death, one being a wound and the other being cancer, so the correct pattern of prepositions becomes very important.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The sentence is "The patient died (of a wound and not of) cancer".
You must replace the bracketed part with the most suitable option.
The context contrasts death due to a physical injury with death due to cancer.
Standard English grammar distinguishes between "die of" and "die from" depending on the type of cause.
Exactly one option is fully correct and idiomatic in this contrast structure.

Concept / Approach:
In English, the usual pattern is that people "die of" diseases, infections, and internal medical conditions, and "die from" external causes such as injuries, accidents, or violence. There can be overlap, but this is the standard guideline used in exam questions. When we describe someone who dies because of a wound, we normally say "die from a wound". When we describe someone who dies because of cancer, we normally say "die of cancer". The sentence also uses a contrast structure "from X and not of Y", so both halves need to be parallel and natural according to standard usage. The correct answer must satisfy both grammar and idiomatic preference.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the two causes: a wound (external injury) and cancer (disease). Step 2: Recall that the normal pattern is "die from a wound" for an external injury. Step 3: Recall that the normal pattern is "die of cancer" for a disease. Step 4: Check option A, "from a wound and not of". If we insert it, the sentence becomes "The patient died from a wound and not of cancer", which uses "from" with wound and "of" with cancer, both correct. Step 5: Check option B, "of a wound and not from". This gives "died of a wound and not from cancer", which uses less natural combinations for this contrast. Step 6: Check option C, "from a wound and not from". This produces "died from a wound and not from cancer", which is grammatically possible but less idiomatic, because we usually prefer "of cancer". Step 7: Option D suggests no improvement, but the original phrase "of a wound and not of cancer" does not follow the usual pattern for external injury versus disease.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by consulting standard usage in dictionaries and grammar references, which consistently give examples such as "He died of cancer" and "She died from her injuries". When both appear in a single sentence, exam questions typically expect you to follow this pattern. Therefore "died from a wound and not of cancer" is the best and most idiomatic solution. This pattern also makes the contrast between the two causes clear and natural.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because "died of a wound" is less idiomatic, and "not from cancer" is also not the usual phrase for a disease.
Option C is wrong because using "from" for both wound and cancer does not show the conventional distinction between external injury and disease, and exam setters normally prefer the standard pair "from a wound" and "of cancer".
Option D is wrong because the original phrase uses "of" with both wound and cancer, which does not reflect the preferred pattern for an external injury.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often assume that "die of" and "die from" are completely interchangeable and ignore the subtle difference that exam questions focus on. Another frequent mistake is checking only one half of the contrast and forgetting that both parts must be correct at the same time. In improvement questions, always read the full sentence with the option inserted, and confirm that each cause or object fits the natural collocation of the verb. This habit will reduce errors in similar preposition questions.

Final Answer:
from a wound and not of