Choose the correct set of adverbs to fill in the blank:
He worked ten years, _____ on his Pale Dictionary.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → off and on
Complete sentence: He worked ten years, off and on on his Pale Dictionary. This means that over ten years he worked on it at intervals, not without a break.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) far and near | everywhere, in all places (it is about place, not about how work went on over time) | People came from far and near to see the fair. |
| (2) off and on (answer) | from time to time, with breaks in between (also "on and off") | It rained off and on all day. |
| (3) once and again | This old-fashioned phrase means more than once, on a few occasions (it counts a few separate times and does not describe work carried on with breaks over ten years) | I have told you once and again to lock the door. |
| (4) far and away | Far and away means by a very great amount, and is used with superlatives | She is far and away the best player in the team. |