Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
The ability to laughter is peculiar to mankind.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. ability to laugh.
Error Concept: Incorrect verb form after "to"
What is wrong: The phrase "ability to laughter" uses "laughter", which is a noun, instead of the correct verb form "laugh".
Grammar Concept: After the phrase “ability to,” we need a base verb (bare infinitive), not a noun.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: "Laughter" is the act of laughing, but we are talking about the ability to do something, so the verb form "laugh" should be used.
Correction: Replace "laughter" with "laugh"
Corrected Phrase: ability to laugh
Final Sentence: The ability to laugh is peculiar to mankind.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.