Which is the correctly structured sentence?

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

The sentence correctly uses the comparative adjective 'older' to compare two entities: 'he' and 'his sisters'.
For one-syllable adjectives like 'old', the comparative form is created by adding the suffix '-er'.
The word 'than' is correctly used to introduce the second element in the comparison.
The sentence follows the standard English structure for a comparison: Subject + Verb + Comparative Adjective + 'than' + Object.

Option A: This option incorrectly uses the superlative form 'oldest' with 'than'. Superlatives are used to compare three or more things and are not paired with 'than'.
Option B: This option contains a 'double comparative' ('older more'). Since 'older' is already a comparative adjective, adding 'more' is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
Option D: This option uses an inverted sentence structure. While grammatically possible in poetic or archaic contexts, it is not the standard, clear structure for everyday declarative sentences.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The question tests the correct usage of comparative and superlative adjectives in English grammar as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a grammar question, clear and precise communication is a critical skill for nurses.
Accurate documentation in patient charts, clear instructions to patients and families, and effective handovers to colleagues all depend on correct grammar and sentence structure.
Miscommunication due to grammatical errors can lead to misunderstandings and potential patient safety risks.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task of the question, which is to find the grammatically correct sentence.
Analyze the options to see what grammatical concept is being tested. Notice that all sentences involve comparing 'he' and 'his sisters' using the adjective 'old'. This points to comparative/superlative adjectives.
Recall the rules for comparatives. When comparing two items, use the comparative form of the adjective (usually ending in '-er' for short words) followed by 'than'.
Evaluate each option against this rule:
Option A ('oldest than'): Incorrect. 'Oldest' is superlative.
Option B ('older more'): Incorrect. 'more' is redundant (double comparative).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The question tests the correct usage of comparative and superlative adjectives in English grammar.
Stem keywords: correctly structured sentence, grammar
Lead-in keywords: Which

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Practise the full GMCH - 2015

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