Choose the best preposition in the below given sentence: The dog is grateful __ its owner.

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE SNO - 2023

Explanation

The preposition 'to' is used after the adjective 'grateful' to indicate the person or entity towards whom the feeling of gratitude is directed.
In the sentence, the dog's gratitude is directed towards 'its owner,' which is the recipient of the feeling.
Therefore, the correct and idiomatic phrase is 'grateful to its owner'.

Option B: The preposition 'for' is used to specify the reason for gratitude, not the recipient of the feeling.
Option C: The preposition 'on' is not idiomatically used with the adjective 'grateful'. 'On' typically indicates a surface, a topic, or a specific day.
Option D: The preposition 'in' is not idiomatically used with 'grateful'. 'In' typically indicates a location, a time period, or inclusion within something.

Visual 1: Infographic - A simple chart illustrating the usage of 'grateful to' versus 'grateful for'. It could show 'grateful to' pointing towards a person icon and 'grateful for' pointing towards a gift box or heart icon, representing the reason.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Prepositions in English Grammar as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general English question, clear and precise communication is a critical skill for nurses to build trust and ensure patient understanding.
Using correct prepositions prevents ambiguity and miscommunication, which is vital when giving instructions or explaining care plans to patients and their families.
Accurate language in documentation and reports ensures that all members of the healthcare team have a clear and consistent understanding of the patient's situation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key adjective in the sentence, which is 'grateful'.
Recall the common prepositions that follow this adjective. 'Grateful' is most often followed by 'to' or 'for'.
Analyze the noun that follows the blank. Here, it is 'its owner,' which is the recipient of the feeling.
Apply the grammatical rule: use 'grateful to' for the person/entity you are thankful to, and 'grateful for' for the thing/action you are thankful for.
Based on this rule, conclude that 'to' is the correct preposition because the owner is the recipient of the gratitude.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full AIIMS CRE SNO - 2023

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