Phrase Replacement: Tips And Tricks And Questions With Example

English Language is an important section for banking aspirant and you cannot afford to give it a cold-shoulder. In this article, we will be discussing one of the important topic that usually carries 3-5 marks in banking exams. Phrase replacement is one such topic which is usually asked to test your grammar and here we will be learn the tips which can help us to score better in this topic. Make sure you bookmark this page for future reference.

Basic Rules Of Grammar

What is Phrase Replacement?

Before we dive in further into this topic, let’s understand what is phrase replacement? Phrase replacement refers to the type of question in which  a certain sentence is given and some part of it is highlighted, which is incorrect and need to be replace. Now we usually come across to two types of phrase replacement. One which is based on grammar and another which is based on phrases. We will be discussing both of them one by one.

Phrase Replacement Based On Grammar

Grammar can sail you through this section so make sure that you work extra hard on this. Given below are some of the tips and tricks which can help you to ace this topic:

• To ace this section you need to know the basics of the grammar.
• Solve as much questions as possible to ace a topic.
• Take topic-wise mock test.
• Write all the important rules of grammar and revise them before solving the questions based on it.

Also read,

•  Basics Rules of Noun
• Basic Rules of Verb
• Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
• Basic Rules of Conditionals

Let’s Understand this topic better with some examples:

The three names have reached the Ministry of Law and Justice, who has been processing the files, ministry sources 

(a) who is processing the files (b) which was processed (c) which is processing the files (d) who was processed the files (e) No replacement required

Solution: In the above example relative pronoun ‘who’ has been used after ‘Ministry of Law and Justice’ which is not a human being. Hence, the usage of ‘who’ is incorrect. Now, we know that the relative pronoun which follows ‘non living things’ is ‘which’. Hence, either (c) or (b) is the correct option. Now, the question is not in passive voice, hence, (b) is not the correct option. Hence, (c) is the correct option.

As you can see, it becomes quite easier to choose the correct option if you are well versed with  the rules  and basics of grammar. Now, look at the following example based on vocabulary.

Top leaders are often stymied by the difficult of managing conflicts of diverse

(a) difficulty of (b)  difficulties of managing.   (c) difficult for managing.

(d)  difficult to manage. (e) No replacement required

Solution: (b); ‘diverse population’ will have ‘more than one conflicts’ hence, plural form i.e. ‘difficulties’ should be Hence, (b) is the correct option.

Phrase Replacement Based On Vocabulary

You need to have a very strong vocabulary to solve the questions based on them. Given below are some of the tricks which you can use to improve vocabulary:

• Read Newspapers, articles, books as they will help you to improve your vocabulary.
• Write the newly found words in a notebook and use them in different sentences to ace it.
• Try to increase the level of your difficulty once you get comfortable with your current level.
• Use mimonics to learn difficult words.

Let’s understand them with an example:

To cover the gap between rainfall and water scarcity, govt. will have to invest in desilting water storage in canals and minor water

• • To bridge the gap between rainfall and water
  • To take down the gap between rainfall and water
  • To make for the  gap between rainfall  and water
  • To make up the gap between  rainfall  and water
  • No replacement required

Solution: To cover something means ‘put something on top of or in front of (something) in order to protect or conceal it’. Hence, it does not go with the meaning of the sentence. Now,  ’to take down’ means ‘to lower without removing’ hence, (b) is also not the appropriate option. Again, ‘to make for’ means ‘ to move or head towards something’ whereas, ‘to make up for’ means ‘compensate for something lost, missed, or deficient.’ Hence, (c) and (d) are also not the correct option. ‘To bridge the gap’ means ‘to make the difference between two things smaller’. Hence, (a) is the most appropriate option. Such commonly used phrases are given in the vocabulary section of this book.

Being a women, she was barred from entering the temple.

(a) She, being a woman   (b) It being a woman   (c) Her being a woman

(d) Having being women (e) No replacement required

Sol. (e); No replacement

Given below are some of the phrases which are usually asked in examination:

Daily Vocabulary

For Complete List, Click Here

act up(no object): misbehave (for people); not work properly (for machines).

Example 1→ “The babysitter had a difficult time. The children acted up all evening.”

Example 2→ “I guess I’d better take my car to the garage. It’s been acting up lately.”

act like(inseparable): behave in a way that’s like __________.

Example 1→  “What’s wrong with Bob? He’s acting like an idiot.”

Note: This phrasal verb is very informal.

add up (1. No object): logically fit together.

Example 1→ “His theory is hard to believe, but his research adds up.”

Note: This phrasal verb is often negative.

Example 2→ “His theory seems, at first, to be plausible, but the facts in his research don’t add up.”

add up(2. Separable): find the total.

Example 1→ “What’s the total of those bills? Could you add them up and see?”

add up to(inseparable): to total.

Example 1→ “The bills add up to Rs. 734.96. That’s more than I expected!”

ask out(separable): ask for a date.

Example 1→ “Nina has a new boy friend. James asked her out last night.”

back down(no object): not follow a threat.

Example 1→ “Timmy was going to call the police when I told him I’d wrecked his car, but he backed down when I said I’d pay for the damages.”

back up(1. no object): move backward; move in reverse.

Example 1→ “You missed the lines in the parking space. You’ll have to back up and try again.”

Example 2→ “The people waiting in line are too close to the door. We won’t be able to open it unless they back up.”

back up(2. separable): drive a vehicle backwards (in reverse).

Example 1→ “You’re too close! Back your car up so I can open the garage door.”

back up (3. separable): confirm a story, facts, or information.

Example 1→ “If you don’t believe me, talk to Dave. He’ll back me up.”

back up(4. separable): make a “protection” copy to use if there are problems with the original.

Example 1→ “When my computer crashed, I lost many of my files. It’s a good thing I backed them up.”

beg off(no object): decline an invitation; ask to be excused from doing something.

Example 1→ “At first Lily said she would be at the party. Later she begged off.”

blow up(1. separable): inflate.

Example 1→ “We need lots of balloons for the party. Will you blow them up?”

blow up (2. separable): explode; destroy by exploding.

Example 1→ “That old building really came down quickly!” “That’s because the construction company used dynamite to blow it up.”

blow up(3. no object): suddenly become very angry.

Example 1→ “When I told Jerry that I’d had an accident with his car, he blew up.”

bone up on(inseparable): review/study thoroughly for a short time.

Example 1→ “If you’re going to travel to Peru, you’d better bone up on your Spanish.”

break down(1. separable): separate something into component parts.

Example 1→ “We spent a lot of money at the supermarket. When we broke the total cost down, we spent more on cleaning supplies than food.”

break down (2. no object): stop working/functioning. “Sharon will be late for work today. Her car broke down on the freeway.”

break in (1. Often no object; with an object, break into– inseparable): enter by using force (and breaking a lock, window, etc.)

Example 1→ “Jane’s apartment was burglarized last night. Someone broke in while Jane was at the movies.”

Example 2→ “Somebody broke into Jane’s apartment while she was at the movies.

break in (2. separable): wear something new until it’s / they’re comfortable.

Example 1→ “These are nice shoes, but they’re too stiff. I hope it doesn’t take too long to break them in.”

break in(3. separable): train; get someone / something accustomed to a new routine.

Example 1→ “I hope I can learn my new job quickly. The manager hasn’t scheduled much time for breaking me in.”

break up (1. no object): disperse; scatter.

Example 1→ “What time did the party break up last night?”

break up(2. Usually no object; with an object, break up with [inseparable]): end a personal relationship.

Example 1→ “Tim and Julie aren’t going steady any more. They got really angry with each other and broke up.”

Example 2→ “Have you heard the news? Julie broke up with Tim!”

Example 3→ “I’m sorry to hear that their marriage broke up. I’m sure the divorce will be difficult for the children.”

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