bakfed wrote:
Although ice particles in the upper atmosphere benefit Earth in that they reflect and absorb solar radiation,
acting as a global thermostat and thus keeping Earth from either burning up or freezing over, they also accelerate the destruction of the ozone layer by reacting with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's).
(A) acting as a global thermostat and thus keeping Earth from either burning up or freezing over, they also accelerate
(B) acting as a global thermostat and thus keeping Earth either from burning up or freezing over, while also accelerating
(C) act as a global thermostat and thus keep EArth from either burning up or freezing over, while also accelerating
(D) they act as a global thermostat that thus keeps EArth either from burning up or freezing over, even though it also accelerates
(E) they act as a global thermostat to thus keep Earth from either burning up or freezing over, but they also accelerate
There is a tough call between A & E.
B is out because of incorrect use of 'from' after either.
C is out because starting the modifier with 'act as' isn't a good idea.
D is out because of awkward construction & strange us of 'that'.
Anyday I'd prefer A over E, but the use of 'but they...' makes me look at E seriously because it is actually creating the right contrast. I'd like the modifier to begin with '...ing', which makes A a clear winner. But A doesn't bring out the contrast as beautifully as E does. It is contrasting two issues 1) benefits & 2) negative effects.
But first part of E is full of errors: It creates a parallel effect between 'reflect & act', which is wrong. It acts as a thermostat because it reflects & absorbs. E gives impression that it reflects, absorbs & act as a thermostat.
'to thus keep...' in E is also another construction that doesn't go down well.
close
