Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:
He took pain to finish the task on time.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. took pains.
Analysis/Context: The sentence describes someone making a significant, diligent effort to complete a task within a deadline. The error lies in the incorrect use of the singular noun "pain" in a context where an idiomatic expression is required.
Grammatical Concept/Meaning:
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Pain (Singular): Refers to physical suffering or emotional distress (e.g., "He felt a sharp pain in his leg").
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Take pains (Idiom): This is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning to make a great effort or to take great care to do something correctly and thoroughly. In this idiom, the word "pains" is always used in the plural form.
Final Sentence: He took pains to finish the task on time.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.