A sentence is given with an underlined part that may need improvement. Choose the alternative that best improves the underlined part. In case no improvement is needed, select the option indicating No improvement. Sentence: Anyone wishing to enroll in the programme should send in there applications before the end of this month.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: send in their applications

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This sentence improvement question checks correct use of pronouns and possessive adjectives in English, especially in a formal announcement about a programme. The original sentence uses a form that looks similar to the correct one but contains a mistake that is very common among learners. In exams, such questions aim to test careful reading and understanding of number agreement and pronoun choice.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The sentence is Anyone wishing to enroll in the programme should send in there applications before the end of this month. The underlined portion is there applications. The options offered are send in her application, send her application in, send in their applications, and No improvement. We assume a general announcement open to all genders and to many possible applicants, rather than to a single specified person.


Concept / Approach:
The word there is an adverb of place or an introductory word, while their is the correct possessive adjective used before a noun to show belonging, as in their applications. In modern English, the singular anyone is often followed by they or their as a gender neutral pronoun, so the phrase Anyone wishing to enroll should send in their applications is grammatical and widely accepted. Therefore, the improvement required is to correct there to their while keeping the plural noun applications to match the idea of many possible applicants.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the error in the phrase there applications, where there is wrongly used instead of the possessive form their. Step 2: Recognise that the sentence is addressed to all potential applicants, not a single known woman or man. Step 3: Understand that in modern usage, anyone can be followed by their as a singular gender neutral pronoun. Step 4: Check the options and find the one that both corrects the possessive and keeps the sentence general. Step 5: Choose send in their applications as it is grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate for a public notice.


Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a parallel example: Anyone who wishes to apply should send in their documents. This is widely accepted and used in advertisements and official communications. If we use her application, it would wrongly suggest that only female applicants are expected. If we leave the original phrase there applications unchanged, the word there still has the wrong function. The variant send her application in also restricts the gender and fails to maintain agreement with anyone in a general sense. This confirms that send in their applications is the best improvement.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Send in her application assumes the applicant is female and refers to only one person, which is not suitable for an inclusive public announcement starting with Anyone wishing.
Send her application in has the same gender issue and also sounds slightly informal for a programme notice, in addition to changing the word order unnecessarily.
No improvement cannot be chosen because the original form there applications contains a clear error in the choice of there versus their.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse there, their, and they are because they sound similar. In formal writing, choosing the correct form is very important. Another point of confusion is the use of they or their with singular indefinite pronouns like anyone, everyone, or somebody. Modern standard English accepts this usage for gender neutrality. Remembering that their is the possessive form that must come before a noun will help avoid this mistake in exam situations and in practical communication.


Final Answer:
The underlined part should be improved to send in their applications.

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