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Bunuel
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Bunuel
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Bunuel

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



A group of industrial designers suggested that the use of bamboo will be more widely introduced into production methodology as bamboo is as versatile a material as wood is

(A) will be more widely introduced into production methodology as bamboo is as versatile a material as wood is

This answer choice creates a Subjunctive error. Suggest is one of the nine verbs to which the Subjunctive rule applies (if it is followed by that). This means that the next verb after suggested that should be in base form. However, will be is not in base form.

What helps us identify this question as a Subjunctive question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:

    propose/recommend/require/request/insist/suggest/mandate/ask/demand that

Whenever you come across this Stop Sign, make sure that the following verb is in its base form.



(B) be more widely introduced into production methodology as bamboo is as versatile a material as wood

Although this answer choice corrects the original Subjunctive error by using the base form verb be after suggested that, it changes the meaning by making the comparison one of inequality (more versatile...than) rather than one of equality (as versatile...as).


(C) be more widely introduced into production methodology as bamboo is as versatile a material as wood is

This answer choice uses the Subjunctive form correctly by using the base form of a verb (be) to follow the phrase suggested that.


(D) is more widely introduced into production methodology as bamboo is as versatile a material as wood is

This answer choice creates a Subjunctive error. Suggest is one of the nine verbs to which the Subjunctive rule applies (if it is followed by that). This means that the next verb after suggested that should be in base form. However, is is not in base form.

What helps us identify this question as a Subjunctive question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:

    propose/recommend/require/request/insist/suggest/mandate/ask/demand that

Whenever you come across this Stop Sign, make sure that the following verb is in its base form.



(E) be more widely introduced into production methodology as bamboo is as versatile a material than wood is

Although this answer choice corrects the original Subjunctive error by using the base form verb be after suggested that, it is illogical and grammatically incorrect. As cannot be complemented by than because as indicates a similarity or equality between the two things compared whereas than indicates a difference between them.

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:

    Like, unlike, than, as
[/quote]




Hi Bunuel, Can you please elaborate on why the comparison in option B is incorrect?
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I'm guessing the OE posted is missing something? I think the answer should be B or the OE/answer choices might need to be changed

The only difference between option B and C that I observe is C ends with "as wood is" whereas B simply ends with "as wood".

IMO i think the comparison in B is clear the way it is currently stated (unless there is a typo in which case it might need to be fixed)
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