The following sentences comprise of four alternatives. Select the best option that is grammatically correct sentence-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Anil is not working hard so his success is out of the question
Out of the question is a fixed phrase meaning impossible, not worth considering. Since Anil is not working hard, his success is impossible; the sentence needs is and the article the.
Example: A holiday abroad is out of the question this year.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Anil is not working hard so his success in out of a question — Incorrect. The verb is is replaced by "in", and the phrase takes the, not "a".
Option 3: Anil is not working hard so his success is out of question — Incorrect. Without "the", out of question is an old phrase meaning beyond doubt, the opposite of what the sentence means; the fixed phrase for "impossible" is "out of the question".
Option 4: Anil is not working hard so his success is not out of the question — Incorrect. "Not out of the question" means possible, which does not follow from "Anil is not working hard ... so".
Contrast: out of the question means impossible; out of question, without "the", means beyond doubt.