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Prepositions (phrasal pattern “play off A against B”): Fill in the blank with the correct preposition “The English schemed to continue their rule in India by playing off one community ______ the other.” Choose the correct option.

Difficulty: Easy

before
upon
against
with

Correct Answer: against

Explanation:

Given data

Phrasal pattern: “play off A ______ B.”

Concept/Approach
The fixed expression is play off A against B meaning to exploit the rivalry between two sides.

Option analysis
against — correct and idiomatic.before/upon/with — do not form the phrasal pattern here.

Final Answer
against

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