Which sentences use wrung correctly? Choose two options.
A. He wrung as much water out of the towel as he could before hanging it up.
B. When she heard the news, she wrung her hands in frustration.
C. The wrungs of the ladder are so unsturdy that the ladder should not be used.
D. The students liked to balance their feet on the wrungs of the desk chairs.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The sentences that use “wrung” correctly are:
A. He wrung as much water out of the towel as he could before hanging it up.
B. When she heard the news, she wrung her hands in frustration.
Explanation:
The term “wrung” is the past tense of the verb “wring,” which means to twist or squeeze something to force liquid out of it. It can also refer to the action of twisting one’s hands, often out of anxiety or distress. Understanding the correct usage of “wrung” in these contexts is crucial to comprehending the sentences provided.
- Sentence A: “He wrung as much water out of the towel as he could before hanging it up.”
In this sentence, “wrung” is used correctly as it describes the action of twisting the towel to remove water. This aligns perfectly with the definition of the verb “wring.” The imagery is clear; the action conveys the effort of squeezing out the excess water before the towel is placed to dry. - Sentence B: “When she heard the news, she wrung her hands in frustration.”
This sentence also uses “wrung” correctly. The phrase “wrung her hands” is a common expression that signifies a gesture of worry, distress, or anxiety. It effectively communicates the emotional response of the character upon receiving the news. - Sentence C: “The wrungs of the ladder are so unsturdy that the ladder should not be used.”
In this sentence, the word “wrungs” refers to the horizontal steps of a ladder. The correct term here should be “rungs” rather than “wrungs,” as the latter implies an action, while “rung” refers specifically to the ladder’s structural components. - Sentence D: “The students liked to balance their feet on the wrungs of the desk chairs.”
Similar to Sentence C, “wrungs” is misused here. The intended word should be “rungs,” which denotes the crosspieces of a ladder or a similar structure.
In summary, the correct usage of “wrung” in the selected sentences demonstrates the term’s application to actions involving squeezing or emotional expression, while the incorrect sentences reflect misunderstandings of the word’s meaning in other contexts.