Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the correct word from the options given below. :-
I think his long silence is tantamount ________ a refusal.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → to
Tantamount to:
- Tantamount means equal in effect or value to something, usually something bad.
- It is always followed by the preposition to: "tantamount to".
- Deciding clue: the adjective "tantamount" itself; his long silence has the same effect as saying no.
- Complete sentence: I think his long silence is tantamount to a refusal.
Example: Ignoring the court's order is tantamount to contempt.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: with — Incorrect. "Tantamount" never takes "with"; with shows company or the means used.
Example: She cut the cake with a knife.
Option 2: about — Incorrect. About shows the subject of something; it does not go with "tantamount".
Example: They talked about the match.
Option 3: by — Incorrect. By shows the doer or the means of an action; it does not go with "tantamount".
Example: The poem was written by Tagore.