Select the appropriate option to complete the following sentence with the correct pair of preposition and pronoun:
Dadaji’s old scooter has a mind ________ and refuses to start on cold winter mornings.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → of its own
Complete sentence: Dadaji’s old scooter has a mind of its own and refuses to start on cold winter mornings. “A mind of its own” is a fixed phrase. The scooter starts only when it likes.
| Option | Form and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) by itself | means alone or without help | The door closed by itself in the wind. |
| (2) of its own (answer) | means acting as it likes, without anyone controlling it; the pattern is a noun + “of” + my / his / her / its + “own” | Our little hill town has a charm of its own. |
| (3) for itself | means for its own use or benefit | The crow kept the biggest piece of roti for itself. |
| (4) to itself | means not shared with others | The new puppy had the whole sofa to itself. |