Question

Which one of the following best improves the underlined phrase? 
Deactivated viruses form the basis of many vaccines known for their effectiveness to \(\underline{prevent\ diseases.}\)

• A. to prevent
• B. in preventing
• C. with preventing
• D. preventing

Hint:

Pay attention to collocations, which are words that frequently appear together. "Effectiveness" is commonly followed by "in" when describing the area or activity where something is effective.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Analyze the context of the phrase. The sentence describes the purpose or function of the vaccines' effectiveness. The noun "effectiveness" is often followed by the preposition "in" and a gerund (an "-ing" verb acting as a noun).

Step 2: Evaluate the options. "Effectiveness to prevent" is grammatically awkward. The phrase "effectiveness in doing something" is the standard idiomatic expression. Therefore, "effectiveness in preventing" is the most appropriate choice.

Step 3: Form the corrected sentence. The improved sentence is: "Deactivated viruses form the basis of many vaccines known for their effectiveness in preventing diseases."