WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 19

… I would love to be at your party, I really can't

Question

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences. _______ I would love to be at your party, I really can't

A.In as much as
B.As much as
C.Much as
D.As much

Answer: C. Much as

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

The sentence is: "___ I would love to be at your party, I really can't." It needs a concessive connector, meaning "although" or "even though," to join the two contrasting ideas: wanting to come, but being unable to.

Explain the concept

In English, "much as" at the start of a sentence means "although" or "even though." For example:

Much as I like him, I can't support his plan. (= Although I like him...)

"As much as" is normally used for comparison (She earns as much as he does), though it can sometimes carry a concessive meaning in informal usage. "In as much as" (usually written "inasmuch as") means "to the extent that" or "since." It does not express contrast.

Check each option

A. In as much as: means "because" or "to the extent that." It doesn't show contrast, so it is wrong.
B. As much as: this is mainly a comparison structure. It is sometimes used concessively in informal speech, but the standard concessive form is "Much as." Many grammar references accept it, but it is less precise.
C. Much as: the standard concessive form, meaning "although." Much as I would love to be at your party, I really can't. This fits perfectly.
D. As much: incomplete and ungrammatical here.

Answer

The correct option is **C.

Tip

When a sentence begins with a blank followed by "I would love to... but/I can't...", think "although." Remember that "Much as" = "Although" (e.g., Much as I admire her, I disagree). Avoid "inasmuch as," which means "because."

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.