Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The corresponding letter of that part is the answer. If the given sentence is correct as it is, then choose option ‘No Error’ as your answer response. (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

We urge natives to continue seeking (A)/ medical care but avoid (B)/emergency departments unless they (C)/do not have a life-threatening condition (D).

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: D

Core grammatical rule involved

Rule: Correct use of “unless” (conditional logic)

·       “Unless” already means “if not.”

·       Using “unless + not” creates a double negation, which reverses or confuses the intended meaning.

Structure rule:

·       Correct: unless + affirmative clause

·       Incorrect: unless + negative clause

Part-wise analysis

Part (A): “We urge natives to continue seeking”

Structure check

·       “Urge + object + to + verb” is a correct verb pattern.

Why correct

·       “Urge” correctly takes an infinitive (“to continue seeking”).

·       No tense or agreement issue.

Example

·       Authorities urge citizens to remain calm.

Part (B): “medical care but avoid”

Structure check

·       Parallel construction:

o   to continue seeking medical care

o   but avoid emergency departments

Why correct

·       Parallel verbs “continue seeking” and “avoid” share the same subject.

·       No grammatical imbalance.

Example

·       She likes reading books but avoids watching TV.

Part (C): “emergency departments unless they”

Structure check

·       “Unless” correctly introduces a conditional clause.

·       Sentence flow is intact so far.

Why correct

·       The conjunction “unless” is used appropriately to set an exception.

Example

·       Do not call unless you need help.

Part (D): “do not have a life-threatening condition”

Error here

Why

·       “Unless” already means “if not”.

·       Adding “do not” results in double negation, changing the meaning illogically.

Meaning problem

·       As written, the sentence suggests:

o   Avoid emergency departments only when there is NO life-threatening condition, which is the opposite of the intended advice.

Rule violated

·       Conditional clarity rule: avoid double negatives with “unless”.

Example

·       Incorrect: Do not enter unless you do not have permission.

·       Correct: Do not enter unless you have permission.

Corrected sentence

We urge natives to continue seeking medical care but avoid emergency departments unless they have a life-threatening condition.

Final Summary

·       Error lies in Part (D).

·       Cause: Double negation with “unless + do not”.

·       Correction: remove “not”.

Final Answer: D