Select the appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the following sentence to make it grammatically correct.
The grapes taste sweetest.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. sweet.
Error concept: Wrong use of superlative degree with verbs of sense perception.
What is wrong: The sentence uses “sweetest” after the verb “taste.” But verbs like taste, feel, look, seem, appear are linking verbs, and they are usually followed by the positive degree adjective, not the superlative or comparative.
Grammatical concept: After linking verbs, we use an adjective in its basic (positive) form to describe the subject.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: Using “sweetest” makes the sentence ungrammatical, because the sentence is not making a comparison—it is simply describing the grapes.
How to correct: Replace “sweetest” with sweet.
Correct phrase/ correction: sweet
Final sentence: The grapes taste sweet.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.