Select the appropriate phrase that completes the sentence CORRECTLY. In view…
2017
Select the appropriate phrase that completes the sentence CORRECTLY.
In view of the situation in his country, he had to ________ his departure for an indefinite time.
- A.
put through
- B.
put in
- C.
put out
- D.
put off
Attempted by 2 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
CONCEPT
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (here, put with through / in / out / off), and the particle changes the whole meaning. To complete a sentence correctly, the phrasal verb's meaning must match the situation described by the rest of the sentence.
APPLICATION
The sentence says he had to do something to his departure "for an indefinite time" because of the situation in his country. "An indefinite time" signals that the planned event is being moved to a later, unspecified date. The phrasal verb meaning "to postpone / defer to a later time" is put off. So the sentence reads: "he had to postpone his departure for an indefinite time."
CONTRAST
put through = connect a phone call / make someone undergo something — no sense of delay.
put in = install / submit / devote time — does not mean to defer an event.
put out = extinguish / publish / inconvenience — does not mean to defer an event.
put off = postpone / defer to a later time — the meaning the sentence requires.
Therefore the correct phrase is put off.