A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is lik

As previously mentioned by GMATNinja in one of the previous posts - if prepositional phrase appears as an object in a clause, then it modifies the verb.
But, when it appears as it does in the case of option c - is it safe to say that prepositional phrase then modifies the subject of the clause?

Typically, when a prepositional phrase comes before a clause, it'll modify the action of that clause. For example:

With great enthusiasm, Tim set numerous raccoon traps in his kids' bedrooms.

In this case, "with great enthusiasm" gives us info about Tim's attitude when he "set" the traps. Makes sense.

Another example:

"With his kids screaming in the backseat, Tim drove to the movies."

Now "with his kids screaming" gives us context for what was happening as Tim "drove." Tim was with his kids, who were losing their minds in the backseat. Again, perfectly logical. (Also a very common occurrence.)

Now take another look at the relevant portion of (C):


I can't make any sense of this. Are we talking about two different tornados, one of a given size and strength, and another likely to cause death? And then the two are "with" each other the same way Tim was "with" his kids? If it's the same tornado, what is the "with" doing?

Wouldn't it be clearer to eliminate the prepositional phrase altogether, and just write, "A tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths?" That's exactly what we get in (A), which is far more logical.

So the incoherence of the modifier is enough to kill (C).

I hope that helps!

the point is where "proportionately and in the absolute number " is placed.

it caused more death, proportionately

in above sentence, proportionately modifies "more" and, so, is an adverb.

the our phrase is an adverb and should be close to the word , here "more" , it modifies. so, this phrase should be close to "cause more deaths ". in many answer choices, this phrase is placed wrongly.

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