Question:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option :
Kindness is a quality that is alien ________ Harish.
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option :
Kindness is a quality that is alien ________ Harish.
Kindness is a quality that is alien ________ Harish.
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Fixed Preposition Collocation:
Something is always alien to someone (meaning foreign or unfamiliar to them).
Similar collocations: foreign to, contrary to, opposed to.
Something is always alien to someone (meaning foreign or unfamiliar to them).
Similar collocations: foreign to, contrary to, opposed to.
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- for
- to
- about
- of
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
This question tests dependent prepositions and fixed adjective-preposition collocations. In English grammar, certain descriptive adjectives take specific prepositions to connect with their indirect objects or referents. The adjective “alien” in the sense of unfamiliar, foreign, or contrary to someone's inherent nature requires the preposition to.
Step 1: Detailed Analysis of Dependent Preposition Rules:
- The adjective alien originates from Latin alienus (belonging to another).
- When “alien” is used to describe a concept, behavior, or trait that is foreign, strange, unfamiliar, or repugnant to an individual's character or personality, it is followed by the preposition to.
- Standard construction: Subject + be + alien + to + person/entity.
Step 2: Evaluating the Options:
- (A) for: Incorrect; “alien for” is unidiomatic in standard English.
- (B) to: Correct; forms the standard collocation “alien to Harish” (meaning kindness is completely foreign to Harish's nature).
- (C) about: Incorrect preposition for expressing personal foreignness.
- (D) of: Incorrect; “alien of” does not function as an adjective complement.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The appropriate preposition is “to”, corresponding to Option (B).
This question tests dependent prepositions and fixed adjective-preposition collocations. In English grammar, certain descriptive adjectives take specific prepositions to connect with their indirect objects or referents. The adjective “alien” in the sense of unfamiliar, foreign, or contrary to someone's inherent nature requires the preposition to.
Step 1: Detailed Analysis of Dependent Preposition Rules:
- The adjective alien originates from Latin alienus (belonging to another).
- When “alien” is used to describe a concept, behavior, or trait that is foreign, strange, unfamiliar, or repugnant to an individual's character or personality, it is followed by the preposition to.
- Standard construction: Subject + be + alien + to + person/entity.
Step 2: Evaluating the Options:
- (A) for: Incorrect; “alien for” is unidiomatic in standard English.
- (B) to: Correct; forms the standard collocation “alien to Harish” (meaning kindness is completely foreign to Harish's nature).
- (C) about: Incorrect preposition for expressing personal foreignness.
- (D) of: Incorrect; “alien of” does not function as an adjective complement.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The appropriate preposition is “to”, corresponding to Option (B).
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