Q.59 Choose the most appropriate word(s) from the options given below to complete the following sentence.
I contemplated __________ Singapore for my vacation but decided against it.
(A) to visit
(B) having to visit
(C) visiting
(D) for a visit
Visiting is the most appropriate choice, as “contemplate” requires the gerund form after it for proper grammatical structure in expressing consideration of an action. This completes the sentence naturally: “I contemplated visiting Singapore for my vacation but decided against it.”
Option Breakdown
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(A) to visit: Incorrect infinitive form; “contemplate” does not take “to + verb” but rather a gerund (verb-ing), unlike verbs like “want” or “plan”.
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(B) having to visit: Awkward and non-idiomatic; implies obligation already in place, not mere contemplation, and gerund “having” doesn’t pair naturally here.
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(C) visiting: Correct gerund form; standard after “contemplate,” indicating the action considered, aligning with English preposition-verb patterns.
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(D) for a visit: Prepositional phrase mismatch; sounds fragmentary and fails to function as a verb complement needed after “contemplated.”
Introduction: Master Contemplated Visiting Grammar for GATE Success
Contemplated Singapore visiting questions like GATE Q.59 test gerund vs infinitive rules. Visiting fits perfectly after “contemplate,” unlike to visit or for a visit. This guide explains verb patterns for verbal ability mastery.
Why Visiting is the Correct Gerund Form
“Contemplate” governs gerunds: consider + verb-ing (e.g., “contemplated traveling”). Infinitive “to visit” suits verbs like “decide to,” creating the contrast with “decided against it.” This parallelism boosts sentence logic.
Other Options Explained with Examples
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To visit: Wrong; e.g., “I want to visit” works, but “contemplate to visit” is ungrammatical.
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Having to visit: Overcomplicates with unnecessary perfective; e.g., unnatural vs. “having considered visiting.”
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For a visit: Noun phrase error; e.g., “went for a visit” fits but not after “contemplated.”
| Option | Grammar Type | Example Sentence | Correct for Contemplate? |
|---|---|---|---|
| To visit | Infinitive | Plan to visit Paris. | No |
| Having to visit | Gerund + infinitive | Avoid having to visit crowds. | No (clumsy) |
| Visiting | Gerund | Contemplated visiting beaches. | Yes |
| For a visit | Preposition + noun | Came for a visit last week. | No |
Exam Tips for Gerund-Infinitive Questions
Memorize verb lists: Contemplate, enjoy, avoid → gerund; want, decide → infinitive. Substitute test: Only “visiting” flows idiomatically. Practice GATE sentences for pattern recognition.
