"once" or "when"?

Question

Fill in the blank the most suitable word:
"Although Americans are generally informal people, it would be best to schedule an appointment before going to visit someone, especially in business ___ an appointment has been made, it is considered to be prompt."
A. while
B. during
C. when
D. once

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I suspect this could use some proofreading, Mong.
It doesn't quite work.

Mông Lung Linh · Answer

"proofread"? You mean there is no suitable word for the above sentence?
(I'm sorry for my bad English.)

Avangi · Answer

We can fix it. There are problems with the sentence itself. I thought they might be typos.

Fill in each blank with the most suitable word:
"Although Americans are generally informal people, it would be best to schedule an appointment before going to visit someone, especially _____ business hours. ______ an appointment has been made, it is considered courteous to be prompt."
A. while
B. during
C. when
D. once

(These blanks would take "B" and "D".) "C" would not be incorrect for the second blank, but "D" is the better answer.

Is this anything like what you had in mind?

Sorry, I can't make the danged italics go away on "business hours." They're not there when I edit!

I'm still wondering if you are the author of this exercise!

Perhaps you meant "especially in business [period]. Once an appointment has been made etc."

Regards, - A.

Mông Lung Linh · Answer

I'm not the author of this exercise. It's a part from a college entrance examination in Vietnam, so I don't think it can be wrong. The right answer is "when" but I don't understand why.

Here is the whole exercise:

Clothing habits are a matter of (1) _______ preference in the United States. Most people are free to wear (2) ________ they feel comfortable. Business people in large urban areas are (3) _______ to wear suits or dresses, while clothing in rural area is less formal. Most Americans tend to dress casually when not in formal or business situations.
When eating, most Americans (4) _______ a folk in the hand with which they write. Americans eat away from home often, and usually they (5) _______ their own meals when dining with friends.
When Americans greet one another they often (6) _______ a firm handshake. They may greet strangers on the street by saying “Hello” or “Good morning”. Friends often greet each other (7) ________ “How are you?” and respond “Fine, thanks”. Americans do not really (8) _______ any other answer to the question “How are you?” because it is a way of saying hello. Except in formal situations, people address each other by their given name once they are acquainted.
Although Americans are generally informal people, it would be (9) _______ to schedule an appointment before going to visit someone, especially in business (10) _______ an appointment has been made, it is considered to be prompt.

1. A. person B. personal C. persons D. personably
2. A. whatever B. wherever C. whenever D. whichever
3. A. unlikely B. likely C. like D. alike
4. A. take B. carry C. hold D. bring
5. A. buy B. get C. order D. pay
6. A. transfer B. exchange C. replace D. change
7. A. with B. of C. by D. about
8. A. want B. predict C. expect D. need
9. A. the best B. best C. good D. well
10. A. while B. during C. when D. once

Avangi · Answer

Thanks for the clarification.

(9) would be B. best
(10) would be D. once

A period is definitely needed after "business".
(especially if you're visiting someone in business.)

A word is definitely needed after "considered".
It is considered ____ to be prompt. (rude, courteous, improper, correct, necessary, essential) ???????

I don't have the courage to go through the whole test right now. Maybe later.

Mông Lung Linh · Answer

Thank you for your help.

If you haven't read my edited post, then the right answer for (10) is "when", not "once". I don't understand why must be "when" too...

Avangi · Answer

I'm sorry to say it, Mong, but this test is very carelessly written.
"When" is not incorrect, but "once" is the most natural word for the blank, at least, in the US.

Mông Lung Linh · Answer

Thank you very much! I'll take a note on it then.

"once" or "when"?

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