Choose the most appropriate pair of words to complete the sentence below:
________he had no great hopes of being selected for the post, _____he applied.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Although / yet
Concession: although ... yet:
- Although (or though) introduces a fact that would lead us to expect the opposite of what follows: he had little hope of being selected.
- Yet may begin the main clause to stress the contrast: he applied all the same. "Although/though" pairs with "yet", never with "but".
- Complete sentence: Although he had no great hopes of being selected for the post, yet he applied.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Since / however — Incorrect.
- "Since" gives a reason, but low hope is not the reason for applying.
- "However" is an adverb and cannot join the two clauses.
Option 2: As / but also — Incorrect.
- "As" also gives a reason.
- "But also" pairs only with "not only".
Option 3: Though / but — Incorrect. "Though" and "but" both mark the same contrast, so using both in one sentence repeats the conjunction ("Though he was poor, but he was honest" is wrong).