Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Three college drop-outs were accused ____ cheating an NRI couple of a large amount of money.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → of
Complete sentence: Three college drop-outs were accused of cheating an NRI couple of a large amount of money. The wrongdoing is "cheating an NRI couple", so it reads "were accused of cheating".
| Option | Used to show | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) of (answer) | The verb accuse takes of before the wrongdoing: accuse someone of + noun / -ing form. In the passive the same preposition stays: be accused of something. | The clerk was accused of taking a bribe. |
| (2) with | company or the means of doing something. We say “charged with a crime”, but “accused with” is not used. | She went to the fair with her cousins. |
| (3) for | purpose, reason or benefit. We say “blamed for” or “punished for” something, but not “accused for”. | He was blamed for the delay. |
| (4) off | separation or distance from something. It cannot link a person with the wrongdoing he is charged with. | A button came off his shirt. |