In the following sentence improvement question, the entire proverb Forewarned is forearmed is underlined. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the proverb is already correct.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: No improvement

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question revolves around a well-known English proverb used exactly as it appears in standard usage: Forewarned is forearmed. The entire proverb is underlined, and you are asked to decide if it needs improvement. Proverb questions test whether you recognise fixed expressions in English that should not be altered. The sentence as given is conventional and idiomatic, so any attempt to change it will most likely damage the proverb's accepted form.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Underlined proverb: Forewarned is forearmed.
  • Options suggest alternative wordings like For warned is forearmed or Before warned is forearmed.
  • Context: The proverb means that if you are warned in advance about a danger or problem, you are better prepared to face it.


Concept / Approach:
Forewarned is forearmed is a fixed proverb in English. The prefix fore means before, so forewarned literally means warned beforehand, and forearmed means armed beforehand. The rhythm, clarity, and compactness of this proverb are the result of long usage. Changing forewarned to for warned or before warned would not only be grammatically wrong but also destroy the established proverb. In sentence improvement tasks involving proverbs, the safest approach is to check whether the proverb is already correct; if it is, choose No improvement.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Recognise the expression Forewarned is forearmed as a common English proverb. Step 2: Recall its meaning: being informed about a danger in advance helps you prepare and protect yourself. Step 3: Examine the options and see that each alternative either breaks the word formation (for armed) or misuses prepositions like for or before. Step 4: Conclude that the original proverb is already correct and needs no change.


Verification / Alternative check:
If you compare Forewarned is forearmed with other well-known proverbs like Prevention is better than cure or A stitch in time saves nine, you will notice that they all have a fixed structure. Replacements like Before warned is forearmed sound unnatural and are not found in reputable dictionaries or literature. Thus, any deviation from the standard form is clearly wrong. Since the original matches the proverb exactly, No improvement is the most accurate choice.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (For warned is forearmed.) wrongly splits forewarned into for warned, losing both the prefix and the original meaning. Option B (Before warned is forearmed.) is ungrammatical and makes no sense as a proverb. Option C (Forewarned is for armed.) incorrectly splits forearmed into for armed and spoils the word play on fore. Option E (Being warned is being armed.) paraphrases the idea but is not the standard proverb and is therefore not acceptable in a sentence improvement task that focuses on fixed expressions.


Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates mistakenly believe that every underlined part must have an error and therefore choose a changed form even when the proverb is already correct. Others may be unfamiliar with the word fore and think that for or before is more appropriate. To avoid such mistakes, make a habit of learning common English proverbs and their exact wording. When you recognise a proverb that matches the standard form, consider No improvement as a strong candidate.


Final Answer:
The proverb is already correct, so the right choice is No improvement. The sentence Forewarned is forearmed should remain unchanged.

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