Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: No improvement
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Sentence improvement questions check a learner command over grammar, subject verb agreement, and natural usage in standard English. The given sentence is Any ablebodied man is eligible for the job. The task is to see whether this structure is already grammatically correct or if any of the alternatives improve it. Understanding how determiners like any and each work with singular nouns and singular verbs is essential for solving this type of question accurately.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The determiner any can be used with a singular countable noun to talk about one unspecified member of a group, especially in general statements. When used with a singular noun, the verb is also singular. Therefore, Any ablebodied man is fits the pattern determiner any plus singular noun plus singular verb. The option with each also takes a singular noun and singular verb, but the question is whether that alternative is better or necessary. Sentence improvement questions often use No improvement when the original structure is already correct, natural, and precise.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the subject phrase in the original sentence: Any ablebodied man.
Step 2: Notice that man is singular, so the verb must also be singular, which in this sentence is is.
Step 3: Recall that any can correctly be used with a singular noun in a generic or general statement, as in Any student is welcome.
Step 4: Check option A: Each ablebodied man is eligible for the job. This is also grammatically correct but changes the determiner and slightly alters the emphasis.
Step 5: Check options B and C: Any ablebodied men have been and Any ablebodied men are. Both use the plural noun men and plural verbs, which changes the structure from singular generic reference to a plural statement.
Step 6: Since the original sentence is grammatically sound and natural, and no option clearly improves meaning or correctness, the best choice is No improvement.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can compare the sentence with other standard examples. Sentences like Any honest man is respected in society or Any citizen is subject to the law follow the same pattern: any plus singular noun plus singular verb. These are widely accepted as correct English. The meaning of the given sentence is that every individual who is ablebodied is eligible, and the structure successfully conveys that. Option A with each is also acceptable, but the exam usually treats both as parallel in correctness, meaning the original needs no change. This confirms that No improvement is the intended answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Each ablebodied man is eligible for the job: Although grammatically correct, it does not clearly improve on the original, and sentence improvement questions prefer keeping a correct original sentence when no clear advantage exists.
Any ablebodied men have been eligible for the job: This change to present perfect and plural men alters both tense and nuance, making it less appropriate for a simple general statement.
Any ablebodied men are eligible for the job: This uses a plural subject and verb and again shifts the style unnecessarily when the original singular generic statement is already correct.
No improvement: This correctly recognises that the original construction Any ablebodied man is eligible for the job is grammatical and clear.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners believe that any must always be followed by a plural countable noun, which is not true in general statements. Others think that each is always better or more formal, but both any and each are acceptable with slightly different emphasis. Another common error is to assume that whenever an option rewrites the sentence it must be better, which leads to rejecting correct originals. When solving such questions, students should first see whether the sentence actually contains an error before considering changes.
Final Answer:
The original sentence is already correct, so the best option is No improvement.
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