Fill in the blank with appropriate conjunction :
Grievances cannot be redressed _____ they are known.

Question

Accepted Answer

1. Explanation for Option 1 ("unless"):

The conjunction "unless" is used to introduce a condition that must be met for something to happen. In the sentence "Grievances cannot be redressed _____ they are known," the use of "unless" indicates that grievances can only be addressed if they are known. This implies a conditional relationship where the knowledge of grievances is necessary for their redressal. Therefore, "unless" correctly conveys the idea that without the grievances being known, they cannot be addressed.

2. Explanation for why the other options are incorrect:

- Option 2 ("and"): The conjunction "and" is used to connect words or phrases that are similar or equal in importance. Using "and" in the sentence would imply that grievances cannot be redressed and they are known, which does not make logical sense. It does not establish the necessary conditional relationship between knowing the grievances and addressing them.

- Option 3 ("but"): The conjunction "but" is used to introduce a contrast or exception. If "but" were used in the sentence, it would suggest a contradiction between the two clauses, which is not the intended meaning. The sentence does not aim to contrast the inability to redress grievances with their being known; rather, it seeks to establish a condition.

- Option 4 ("before"): The conjunction "before" is used to indicate that one event occurs prior to another. Using "before" in the sentence would imply a sequence of events, suggesting that grievances cannot be redressed before they are known. While this might seem logical, it does not capture the conditional necessity that "unless" provides. The sentence's intent is to emphasize the requirement of knowing grievances for their redressal, not merely the sequence of events.

In conclusion, Option 1 ("unless") is the correct choice because it accurately establishes the necessary condition that grievances must be known in order to be redressed. The other options fail to convey this conditional relationship effectively.