Quote:
Because of differences in the humans body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or they will suffer a painful condition known as the "bends."
A. differences in the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or they
B. the difference between the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or they
C. the difference in the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or he
D. differences in the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or they
E. the difference between the internal pressure of the human body and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or he
Skyline393 wrote:
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The original sentence contains several errors. First, "differences in" is not properly used to compare two explicit things. For example, "The difference in color is more important than the difference in size" is correct, but "The difference in the color of the apple and the color of the pear..." is not correct. Instead, it should be "The difference between the color of the apple and the color of the pear..." Second, after the construction "it is essential that", one must use the subjunctive mood. In this case, "ascends" (which is indicative, not subjunctive) should be "ascend". Third, the plural pronoun "they" is used to refer to "a diver", which is singular.
(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.
(B) This choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun "they" to refer to the singular noun "a diver."
(C) This choice incorrectly uses "differences in" where "difference between" is required. Additionally, it uses the indicative mood "ascends" where the subjunctive mood ("ascend") is required. Finally, the construction "the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean" is not parallel.
(D) This choice incorrectly uses "differences in" where "difference between" is required. Additionally, the plural pronoun "they" incorrectly refers to the singular noun "a diver." Finally, the construction "the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean" is not parallel.
(E) CORRECT. The phrase "difference between" correctly replaces "differences in." Additionally, the verb "ascend" is in the subjunctive mood. Finally, the singular pronoun "he" correctly refers to the singular "a diver."
In option C, as per the OE -"the construction "the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean" is not parallel." -- do the entities compared need to be completely parallel as follows?
1. the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's internal pressure
2. the internal pressure of the human body and that of the ocean - that refers to internal pressure
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