16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardParallel forms in a comparison

Standard English Conventions practice question

Cycling to work is far healthier than ____.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. drivingCorrect
  2. B. to drive
  3. C. if you drive
  4. D. a car

Answer: A. driving

The first side of the comparison is 'Cycling', an -ing form, so the second must match: 'driving'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. to drive
'to drive' is an infinitive, which doesn't match 'Cycling'.
C. if you drive
'if you drive' is a clause, not a parallel to the -ing form.
D. a car
'a car' compares cycling with an object, not with an activity.

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