In the question below, a section is given in bold, which may not be the grammatically correct form. Choose the answer from the given options that can correctly replace the highlighted portion, without changing the intended meaning.

Nothing but only my favourite dishes were cooked by my mom.

Correct option is B

Sentence given:
Nothing but only my favourite dishes were cooked by my mom.

Step 1: Why the highlighted part is incorrect

The error lies in the phrase “Nothing but only”.

Rule:
“Nothing but” already means “only”. Using “only” again creates redundancy (unnecessary repetition of the same meaning).

Meaning of “nothing but”:
English: Only / nothing except
Hindi: केवल / सिर्फ

So, “Nothing but only” is grammatically incorrect because both expressions convey the same idea.

Example of correct usage:
Nothing but hard work can bring success.
Here, “nothing but” alone is sufficient.

Incorrect example (similar error):
He is nothing but only a child.
This is wrong because “nothing but” already means “only”.

Correct form:
He is nothing but a child.

Now, option-wise analysis:

A) were cooked to my

This changes the structure incorrectly. “Were cooked to my mom” is grammatically wrong because “cook” takes “by” in passive voice, not “to.”
Incorrect structure.

B) was cooked by my

This is correct.

Rule:
When “nothing but + plural noun” is used, the verb agrees with “nothing” (singular), not with the plural noun.

“Nothing” is singular, so the verb must be singular: “was,” not “were.”

Correct sentence:
Nothing but my favourite dishes was cooked by my mom.

Why correct:

1.       Removes redundancy (“only”).

2.       Uses correct singular verb “was.”

Example:
Nothing but excuses was heard from him.
Even though “excuses” is plural, the verb agrees with “nothing.”

C) has cooked by my

Incorrect because passive voice requires “has been cooked,” not “has cooked by.”
Grammatically incorrect structure.

D) are cooked by my

Incorrect because:

1.       Present tense changes the meaning.

2.       “Nothing” is singular, so “are” cannot be used.

Example of correct structure:
Nothing is allowed inside the room.

E) No improvement required

Incorrect because the sentence contains redundancy and subject-verb agreement error.

Final Correct Sentence:
Nothing but my favourite dishes was cooked by my mom.

Additional Example:
Nothing but honesty is appreciated here.

Final Answer:
B) was cooked by my