Select the most appropriate word segment that can replace the underlined part in the sentence.
The two thieves divided the looted money with themselves.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. between themselves.
Error concept: Incorrect preposition usage.
What is wrong: The phrase “divided … with themselves” is wrong. The correct preposition with “divide” when talking about two people is “between.”
Grammatical concept:
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Between is used when something is shared by two people or things.
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Among is used when something is shared by more than two people or things.
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With / of / off themselves are incorrect in this context.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: Using “with themselves” does not express the idea of sharing correctly.
How to correct: Replace “with themselves” with “between themselves.”
Correct phrase/ correction: between themselves
Final sentence: The two thieves divided the looted money between themselves.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.