Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option given below:
Disruptive forces in the country are fatal _____ the integrity of the nation.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → to
Preposition after an adjective:
- Many adjectives take a fixed preposition after them: fond of, good at, fatal to.
- Fatal means causing death or ruin; the thing that is ruined follows "to": fatal to health, fatal to a plan.
- This sentence: disruptive forces would ruin the integrity (unity) of the nation, so they are fatal to it.
- Complete sentence: Disruptive forces in the country are fatal to the integrity of the nation.
Example: Even a short delay could prove fatal to the patient.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: for — Incorrect. "For" shows purpose or the person who benefits; with a thing that is destroyed, the standard pairing is "fatal to".
Example: This gift is for you.
Option 3: in — Incorrect. "In" shows position inside something or a field of activity; it does not name what is harmed.
Example: The keys are in the drawer.
Option 4: upon — Incorrect. "Upon" is a formal form of "on", showing position or dependence; "fatal upon" is not used.
Example: Success depends upon hard work.