Question

Complete the sentence with the correct phrase-
______ his riches, he is not happy.
a) Because of
b) In spite of
c) Owing to
d) In the event of

Answer 1

Hint: A phrase refers to a group of words or an expression that does not include a subject and a verb.

Complete Answer:
As given in the hint, phrases are not capable of functioning as a sentence alone.
Example- ‘Under the table’. We know that this is a prepositional phrase as it involves a preposition and an object, but it lacks a subject and a verb.
In the given question- Here, we can understand that regardless of his riches, he is unhappy.
Now, let’s examine the given options-
a) Because of- It is a prepositional phrase that expresses reason or cause of something. In the above question, X’s riches cannot be the cause of his unhappiness. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
b) In spite of- It is a prepositional phrase that means without being affected by something. In the above question, X is unhappy regardless of his money. Hence, it is the correct option.
c) Owing to- It is a prepositional phrase that expresses the reason or cause of something. In the above question, X’s riches are not the reason for his unhappiness. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
d) In the event of- It is a prepositional phrase which means if something happens in an imagined situation. In the above question, X has stated a present action. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note: Prepositional phrases are used to indicate a preposition, object or any given word that modifies the object.