OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONProject SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1)
Quote:
According to scientists, there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, with climate change figuring prominently among it.
A) with climate change figuring prominently among it
B) [,] climate change figures prominently among them
C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change
D) and climate change figuring prominently among them
E) and climate change figured prominently among them
• Split #1: PronounsThe modifier
with climate change figuring prominently in option A (with similar meaning in other options) describes one of the three key
ingredients, plural.
→ → Climate change figured prominently among the three
ingredients that were key to the disastrous wildfire.
→ → Climate change figured prominently among
them.
The noun
ingredients requires the plural pronoun
them.
Options A and C use the pronoun
it.Singular
it does not agree with plural
ingredients.
(Option C has another problem. In terms of diction and style, the word "what" creates a sluggish and not-concise sentence.)
ELIMINATE A AND C
• Split #2 - Comma spliceIn option B, these two are independent clauses (full sentences with subjects and verbs that can stand on their own):
(1) . . . there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, and
(2) [C]limate change figures prominently among them.
We cannot simply "stick" two ICs together with nothing more than a comma.
Doing so creates a run-on sentence. In the specific case in which nothing more than a comma is used, the result is called a "comma splice."
How to "stick" ICs together?
We can use a period.
We can use a semicolon. (Yes, without a conjunction. And
with a conjunctive adverb such as
however,.)
We can use a comma + conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Option B does none of these things.
It impermissibly "sticks" two independent clauses together.
ELIMINATE B
• Split #3 - working verbs Option D contains no working verb.
Figuring is not a working verb.
The working form of the verb is
figure.
Because it lacks a working verb, the sentence is a fragment.
Eliminate D
The answer is E.
→ plural
them correctly refers to plural
ingredients→ The comma after the first full clause is followed by the conjunction
and; the sentences are properly joined.
COMMENTSasishron29181 , welcome to SC Butler.
We are always glad to have new posters join us.
For all aspirants, there is a standing invitation to post.
These answers are consistent and consistently good.
Nice work.