Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
A: The new boss looks serious, doesn’t he? I don’t think I’m going to like him.
B: Oh, come on, Joyce, you can’t go _____ appearances. He’s probably very nice.
A) after
B) by
C) out
D) over

Answer 1

Hint: Here we have to complete a sentence for which we are provided with a dialogue between two persons using prepositions. A sentence is a meaningful collection of words that has a subject, a verb, and an object. A preposition is a term that typically indicates where or when something is in relation to another.

Complete answer:
The word "preposition" means "positioned before". A preposition appears before a word (either a noun or a pronoun) to indicate the relationship between that word and another word nearby. Prepositions include behind, under, before, after, except, and so on.

Now let us evaluate the options:
Option A) after – This option is incorrect because 'go after' means to try to catch or stop someone. The intention of Mr. A is not going after the new boss. Moreover, appearances cannot be gone after.
Option B) by – This option is correct because the phrasal verb 'go by' means to base an opinion on something. In the given case, Mr. B is giving an opinion of not going by appearances.
Option C) out – This option is incorrect because 'go out' means to leave and go somewhere to fun and cheerful activities. Mr. A is not going to appear hence it is not appropriate.
Option D) over – This option is also incorrect as 'go over' means to check or repeat something carefully or to travel towards someone or something.

Hence option B is the correct answer i.e, Oh, come on, Joyce, you can’t go by appearances. – is the final answer.

Note:
Prepositions should have a definite place in a sentence. Some examples of prepositions used in sentences are:
- The eagle soared above the clouds. - The relationship between "the clouds" and "the eagle" is shown by the preposition "above".
- He is the President of the United States. - The relationship between "the United States" and "the President” is shown by the preposition "of".