Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition:
Trespassers are liable to a fine of Rs 500. Raju is liable ______ his wife's debts:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → for
Complete sentence: Trespassers are liable to a fine of Rs 500. Raju is liable for his wife's debts. Raju has to pay his wife's debts, so he is liable for them.
| Option | Used to show | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) to | liable to + a penalty or a tendency: subject to, likely to suffer (“liable to a fine of Rs 500”), as in the first sentence. Debts are a responsibility, which takes “for”. | This road is liable to flooding in the rains. |
| (2) for (answer) | liable for + a debt, damage or duty: legally responsible for. | The company is liable for any damage caused during delivery. |
| (3) by | “Liable by” is not used. By names the doer or the means (made by hand). | – |
| (4) with | “Liable with” is not used. With shows company or an instrument (cut with a knife). | – |