According to one expert, the cause of genetic irregularities

Question

2. According to one expert,  the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog is not so much that dogs are being bred for looks or to meet other narrow criteria  as that the breeds have relatively few founding members. 
A. the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog is not so much that dogs are being bred for looks or to meet other narrow criteria
B. the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog is not as much their being bred for looks or meeting other narrow criteria as much
C. it is not so much the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog that they are being bred for looks or meeting other narrow criteria as much
D. it is not so much the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog is their being bred for looks or meeting other narrow criteria so much
E. it is not so much the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog to be bred for looks or to meet other narrow criteria

jb32 · Answer

The answer is A. so much...as is the proper idiom

bsd_lover · Answer

Nothing wrong with A. Not so much ... as is the right idiom.

sondenso · Answer

With some explain pls! Btw, can you say what A talking about?

getafixdruid · Answer

I choose A.
A and C are the 2 choices using the idiom "not so much...as" correctly.
But in C the "it" is not clear.

With A the meaning is right.
The cause of genetic irregularities in breeds of dog is more  due to the breeds have relatively few founding members  than  due to other factors like the dogs being bred for looks or meeting other narrow criteria.

According to one expert, the cause of genetic irregularities

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