Choose the correct pair to fill in the blanks in the given sentences:
One of the fallouts of modern times is that we ____ or____meet our relatives these days.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → seldom , never
"Seldom or never":
- Seldom is an adverb of frequency meaning rarely.
- Two fixed expressions add force to it:
- seldom or never — very rarely, almost never
- seldom, if ever — very rarely, if at all
- This sentence: the blanks are joined by "or", so the expression is seldom or never: people today almost never meet their relatives.
- Complete sentence: One of the fallouts of modern times is that we seldom or never meet our relatives these days.
Example: He seldom or never writes letters now.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: seldom , ever — Incorrect. The expression with "ever" is "seldom, if ever"; "seldom or ever" is not used.
Option 2: seldom , always — Incorrect. Seldom (rarely) and always (every time) are opposite frequencies; "seldom or always" makes no sense.
Option 4: seldom , nor — Incorrect. Nor is a conjunction that follows "neither"; it cannot fill a blank after "or".