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0915reg Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

What's the difference between "approach" and "means"?

Public transportation plays an important role in the lives of many citizens in this large town, especially for the elderly and for those with physical disabilities, and it is sometimes the only ___ of mobility available.
(1)technique (2)approach (3)instrument (4)means
ANS: (4)means

My question is, why the answer "approach" is incorrect?

Thanks for your help!
  

Top answer

Because, the phrase 'of mobility' clearly calls for the use of 'means'. The word approach usually requires the preposition 'to'.

— Ivanhr

  • Because, the phrase 'of mobility' clearly calls for the use of 'means'.
  • The word approach usually requires the preposition 'to'.
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8 Answers
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Because, the phrase 'of mobility' clearly calls for the use of 'means'.

The word approach usually requires the preposition 'to'.
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Thanks, Ivanhr.Emotion: smile

Do you mean "....it is sometimes the only approach to mobi
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0915regThanks, Ivanhr.


Do you mean "..it is sometimes th
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I suppose either "approach" or "means" has the same meaning "measure" here in this sentence.
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0915reg
I suppose either "approach" or "means" has the same meaning "measure" here in this sentence.



In your original sentence "means' is closest in meaning to 'way' or 'instrument' but 'means' best fits the sentence. In my sentence approach means 'a set of (proposed) measures or proposals' .

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In brief, there are two inappropriateness if I choose "approach" as the answer.

1st, grammatical error: "approach" needs the preposition "to"

2nd, syntax error
Right?


THANKS
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0915reg1st, grammatical error: "approach" needs the preposition "to"

2nd, syntax error
Generally speaking, a grammatical error is a syntax error, so there's something wrong with the way you are thinking this through. I think you mean semantic error -- an error regarding the meaning of the word.

CJ
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0915regMy question is, why the answer "approach" is incorrect?
It's incorrect because an approach is a way of going about solving a problem or performing a task. So the word approach is used completely differently from means. approach has a meaning that makes no sense in that blank space.

What approach does your teacher take
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