Although Navajo silversmiths borrowed designs from both

Question

Although Navajo silversmiths borrowed designs from both Mexican and Plains Indian sources, they adapted the designs into forms that were  distinctively their own .

(A) distinctively their own
(B) distinctive to themselves
(C) distinct as theirs
(D) their own, distinctively
(E) distinct and their own

pmenon · Answer

Dont see anything wrong with A :-D

abhi426 · Answer

A to me

distinctively an adverb modifying a pronoun... nothing wrong

navy01 · Answer

I also pick "A" but can't give a reason as to why I wouldn't pick the others.

hanumayamma · Answer

The sentence has following issues:
1. Adverb modifying the Pronoun
2. Modifier issue

(A) distinctively their own ( “distinctively” adverb modifying the pronoun “their” – Eliminate it )
(B) distinctive to themselves (  requires Subjective form of the pronoun – not a Objective form – Eliminate it )
(C) distinct as theirs ( Modifier issue – “designs” modifying the “Navajo silversmiths” – Eliminate it )
(D) their own, distinctively ( Modifier issue – “their own” modifying the “forms” – Eliminate it )
(E) distinct and their own (  “distinct” correctly modifies forms )

Answer: E

abhi426 · Answer

You may be right and I see nothing wrong with E as well and more clear and consise. However there is nothing wrong with an adverb modifying a pronoun e.g. he Came to only Me for help Here adverb only modifying me a pronoun Here is what I got the defination of an adverb https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/adverb.html OA please

solaris1 · Answer

"...distinct and their own" is redundant in the sentence. I agree with A.

Alex · Answer

I would have say A, but reading your explanation, I can't tell which one is correct :/

LM · Answer

Forms is modified by the underlined sentence.

A) Forms that were distinctively their own is incorrect. Distinctively is adverb which not correct modifier for FORMS and "their" has no clear referent. Whether it's FORMS or Silversmiths?
B) distinctive to themselves is unclear meaning and incorrect usage.
C) distinct "as theirs" is some form of wrong comparison with unclear meaning
D) misplaced word order which leads to unclear meaning ,further use of adverb is unnecessary.
E) Forms that were distinct and their won. Is CORRECT. Form were distinct and THEIR clearly refers to silversmiths.

E should be the answer.

GHIBI · Answer

OA is A.

I also picked A but couldnt find the explanation neither. 
Can anyone explain, please?

solaris1 · Answer

If the borrowed the designs from someone else, how could they be distinct AND their own. That the designs were distinctively their own simply means they added their own unique touch to the designs they borrowed.

I'm not sure about the grammar involved, I picked A based simply on the logic of the sentence.

I'm not sure about the grammar involved, I picked A based simply on the logic of the sentence.

hanumayamma · Answer

solaris1

Thanks. I think checking logical intact is better deterrence against errors.

abhi426
Thanks for your feedback.

I am quoting following information from Manhattan Sentence Correction 2007 edition – Page 73/ Chapter 5.

Incorrect: My friend Katy is a real interesting person.
Correct: My friend Katy is a really interesting person.

The adverb really, not the adjective real, must be used to modify the adjective interesting. Remember that adjectives only modify nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Also, please use following sites for more information:
https://www.ccc.commnet.edu/sensen/part1 ... words.html

LM · Answer

I am stupmed! Could someone tell what the referent for "their" in the answer choice "A". Is it the FORMS or the silversmiths? and how?
And also the mistake in "E" = ??

solaris1 · Answer

"...they adapted the designs into forms that were distinctively their own" 
the above part of the sentence clearly indicates that 'their' refers to the Navajo silversmiths.

Although Navajo silversmiths borrowed designs from both

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