In the following question, from the four alternatives, select the appropriate option for the blank space as per the instruction.
He went shopping after going _____ his parents. (conjunction indicating 'with')

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The blank requires a preposition to show accompaniment, meaning 'in the company of'.
The word 'with' is the correct preposition used to indicate that two or more people are together.
The completed sentence, 'He went shopping after going with his parents,' is grammatically correct and logically sound.
The instruction explicitly asks for a word that means 'with', making 'with' the direct and correct answer.

Option A: The word 'without' indicates absence, which is the exact opposite of the intended meaning of accompaniment.
Option B: The word 'opposite' is a preposition of place or direction and makes no sense in the context of accompanying someone.
Option C: While 'including' relates to adding people or things to a group, it does not fit the grammatical structure 'going including'.

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 communication is a critical patient safety skill for nurses.
Accurate use of prepositions ensures that patient histories, instructions, and documentation are unambiguous (e.g., 'patient ambulated with assistance' vs. 'patient ambulated without assistance').
What if the nurse documented 'patient took medication opposite breakfast' instead of 'with breakfast'? This could lead to incorrect drug administration, affecting absorption and efficacy, potentially causing harm.

How to Approach the Question

Read the sentence carefully to understand its context: 'He went shopping after going _____ his parents.'
Identify the specific instruction provided: 'conjunction indicating 'with''. This directly tells you the meaning required.
Evaluate each option to see if it fits the grammatical structure and the required meaning.
Test 'with': '...going with his parents.' This means he accompanied them. It fits perfectly.
Test 'without': '...going without his parents.' This means the opposite.
Test 'opposite' and 'including': Note that these words create grammatically incorrect or nonsensical phrases in this context.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.