Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
tejal777 wrote:
As well as heat and light, the Sun is the source of a continuous stream of atomic particles known as the solar wind.
(A) As well as heat and light, the Sun is the source of a continuous stream
(B) Besides heat and light, also the Sun is the source of a continuous stream
(C) Besides heat and light, the Sun is also the source of a continuous streaming
(D) The Sun is the source not only of heat and light, but also of a continuous stream
(E) The Sun is the source of not only heat and light but, as well, of a continuous streaming
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the sentence is that the Sun is the source of heat, light, and also a continuous stream of atomic particles known as the solar wind.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• “not only A but also B” is the correct, idiomatic usage; A must be parallel to B.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase "As well as heat and light" to modify "the Sun", illogically implying that heat, light, and the Sun are all the source of the solar wind; the intended meaning is that the Sun is the source of heat, light, and the solar wind; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase "Besides heat and light" to modify "the Sun", illogically implying that heat, light, and the Sun are all the source of the solar wind; the intended meaning is that the Sun is the source of heat, light, and the solar wind; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "also the Sun", leading to awkwardness and redundancy; this usage is redundant because "also" can be deleted without a loss of clarity.
C: This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase "Besides heat and light" to modify "the Sun", illogically implying that heat, light, and the Sun are all the source of the solar wind; the intended meaning is that the Sun is the source of heat, light, and the solar wind; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Further, Option C uses the needlessly indirect phrase "a continuous streaming", leading to awkwardness.
D: Correct. This answer choice avoids the modifier error seen in Options A, B, and C, as it does not utilize the "phrase + comma" construction; rather, it uses the phrase "not only of heat and light, but also of a continuous stream" to modify "the source", conveying the intended meaning - that the Sun is the source of heat, light, and the solar wind. Further, Option D correctly uses the idiomatic construction "not only A but also B" and maintains parallelism between A ("of heat and light") and B ("of a continuous streaming"). Additionally, Option D is free of any awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice uses the unidiomatic construction "not only A but as well B" and fails to maintain parallelism between A ("heat and light") and B ("of a continuous streaming"); remember, “not only A but also B” is the correct, idiomatic usage; A must be parallel to B. Further, Option E uses the needlessly indirect phrase "a continuous streaming", leading to awkwardness.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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