As algae spread in freshwater ponds and lakes, water quality decreases

Always remember "clauses are singular entities".
"that" can't be preceded by a comma unless its a part of modifier.

A) Incorrect usage of "that"
B) "phosphorus" seems to be an example of "body of water"
c) Coorect. All the issues have been resolved
D) treats the clause as plural
E)"which" modifies P. Also "which" is incorrectly used.

+1C

Re answer choice E, do we ALWAYS need a comma after WHICH?

Thanks!
Cheers
J

Hey the right answer choice is C here.

Always Remember:
If the "which" is after a preposition, the comma is not required.
Else the comma is required always as which is the non essential modifier.

My thinking process -

A. nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to - Incorrect
B. nutrients that enter a body of water such as phosphorus is key to - Incorrect
C. nutrients, such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water plays a major role in - most qualifying answer among all
D. nutrients such as phosphorus that enter a body of water are a major part of - not clear whether that is referring to nutrients or to phosphorus
E. nutrients such as phosphorus which can enter a body of water, hold the key - which should be separated with a comma (,)

As algae spread in freshwater ponds and lakes, water quality decreases; thus, reducing the nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to reducing algae, which thrive on certain pollutants.


1)meaning:
with spread of algae in freshwater, the water quality decrease; reducing the nutrients is central to reducing algae

2) error analysis:
that introduces essential modifier so we cannot sandwich it!
second and most important point is that .. these nutrients can enter the body of water.. so we have modification error

3) POE

A. nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to modifier error
B. nutrients that enter a body of water such as phosphorus is key to misplaced modifier .. such as phosphorus seems to modify a body of water
C. nutrients, such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water plays a major role in
D. nutrients such as phosphorus that enter a body of water are a major part of S-V error... reducing nutrients is
E. nutrients such as phosphorus which can enter a body of water, hold the key again modifier error.. it seems that just phosphorus can enter the body of water while in correct version nutrients can enter the body of water

In the choice C , the word "Plays" should be "Play" right ? since it has to refer to a plural noun "Nutrients" ... can you please explain

Dear gauravsoni,

The subject of "plays" is the gerund "reducing", which is singular.

Read the sentence like this:
Reducing (the nutrients (,such as phosphorus,) that enter a body of water) plays a major role in blah-blah.

The portion between "reducing" and "plays" just serves to identify the object of "reducing."

For example, see:
Singing the songs of Elvis is always a lot of fun.

What is fun? Singing, not the songs.


--Prasad
GMAT and MBA admissions Coach

As algae spread in freshwater ponds and lakes, water quality decreases; thus, reducing the nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to reducing algae, which thrive on certain pollutants.

A. nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to

B. nutrients that enter a body of water such as phosphorus is key to

C. nutrients, such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water plays a major role in

D. nutrients such as phosphorus that enter a body of water are a major part of

E. nutrients such as phosphorus which can enter a body of water, hold the key

As algae spread in freshwater ponds and lakes, water quality decreases; thus, reducing the nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to reducing algae, which thrive on certain pollutants.

A. nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to
- that enter a body water is used to modify nutrients and is an essential modifier, so its usage is wrong here
B. nutrients that enter a body of water such as phosphorus is key to
- the key to do something not the key to doing something
C. nutrients, such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water plays a major role in
CORRECT, play a major role in ... is idiomatic.
D. nutrients such as phosphorus that enter a body of water are a major part of
that enter a body of water here modifies phosphorus
E. nutrients such as phosphorus which can enter a body of water, hold the key
similar to D

A. nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water, is central to
Central isn't the exact use of terms and distorts the meaning

B. nutrients that enter a body of water such as phosphorus is key to
key are not advisable usage of terms

C. nutrients, such as phosphorus, that enter a body of water plays a major role in
Yes this has a singular usage and projects a clear picture

D. nutrients such as phosphorus that enter a body of water are a major part of
This also distorts the meaning and is not suitable

E. nutrients such as phosphorus which can enter a body of water, hold the key
Similar reasoning to A , B and D
Hence IMO C

Hi,
how can c be the correct choice? doesnt "plays" refer to nutrients and hence shouldnt it be play" since nutrients is plural?

GMATNinja I have the same question could you please help here