Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: having
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of correct verb and gerund patterns in English sentences. The sentence expresses the idea that it is acceptable for someone to hold a different opinion. The bracketed part having to is awkward and ungrammatical in this context, and your task is to select the best improvement from the options.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
After a preposition such as with, English normally uses a gerund form (verb plus ing) when referring to actions in general. The natural phrase here is nothing wrong with having a different opinion. The pattern with having to a different opinion is ungrammatical because to does not belong there. Similarly, have to and has to express obligation, which changes the meaning and does not fit the structure with. Therefore, the correct improvement is simply having.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key structure with plus a following activity: nothing wrong with ______.
Step 2: Recall that prepositions like with, of, and in are typically followed by a noun or by a gerund such as having, doing, or saying.
Step 3: Examine the intended meaning: it is acceptable to hold or have a different opinion.
Step 4: Insert having into the sentence: There is nothing wrong with having a different opinion. This sounds natural and grammatically correct.
Step 5: Test have to and has to. Both would produce There is nothing wrong with have to a different opinion or There is nothing wrong with has to a different opinion, which are clearly incorrect.
Step 6: Recognise that choosing no improvement would keep the faulty phrase having to a different opinion, so option C, having, is the only valid improvement.
Verification / Alternative check:
Compare the sentence with similar patterns: There is nothing wrong with asking questions or There is nothing wrong with disagreeing respectfully. In each of these, the verb after with is in the gerund form. This confirms that having is the form that fits the pattern. Replacing having with have to or has to breaks the grammar and changes the meaning to obligation, which the sentence does not intend.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, have to, indicates necessity or obligation as in I have to go now, and does not follow with in this structure. Option B, has to, also expresses obligation and does not fit the grammar after a preposition. Option D, no improvement, would leave the incorrect phrase having to a different opinion unchanged, which is not acceptable in standard English.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overuse the pattern have to when they see the verb have, forgetting that after prepositions, gerunds are usually required. It is useful to memorise high frequency patterns such as nothing wrong with plus gerund and interested in plus gerund. These patterns help you quickly recognise the correct form and avoid inserting unnecessary words like to that make the structure ungrammatical.
Final Answer:
having is the correct improvement, giving the sentence There is nothing wrong with having a different opinion.
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