Despite the doubts expressed by most physicians, the theory that peopl

Hi,

can someone explain why A is correct and why C is not ?

A has a wrong idion -- based in .. should have been based ON>

However C takes care of most.

I go with A .
To better understand if we break it down to "based,in large part,on their blood type" then the expression "based on" seems correct.

Hi DharLog,

Despite the doubts expressed by most physicians, the theory that people ought to vary their diet based in large part on their blood type has won many new adherents in recent years.

Let's understand the meaning of the sentence. The theory is that people should vary their diet based in large part on their blood type. "In large part" means "to a great extent". So what the theory is saying is that "when deciding their diets, people should give more weightage to their blood type as a deciding factor.

Let's go through the answer choices:

A: based in large part on their blood type - Remove the "in large part" portion and read the sentence. "the theory that people ought to vary their diet based on their blood type has won". "based on" is the correct idiom and the sentence conveys the intended meaning clearly

B: as determined by their blood type for the most part - Between A and B, A is the better construction. The preferred placement of "for the most part" is immediately after "as determined". Eliminate

C: owing to their blood type - "owing to" means "on account of" or "because of". This option changes the intended meaning by saying that people ought to vary their diet because of their blood type. Eliminate

D: in large part in accordance with their blood type - "in accordance with" indicates agreement. A in accordance with B means A should agree/conform with B. There's no such relationship between blood type and diet. People decide their diet based on blood type not in accordance with blood type. Eliminate

E: because in large part of their blood type - This option changes the intended meaning by saying that people ought to vary their diet because of their blood type. Eliminate

Correct option A

Despite the doubts expressed by most physicians,
- Despite is used to highlight contrast opinion

the theory that people ought to vary their diet based in large part on their blood type
- that usage (correct)
- the theory, based in (correct idioms)

has won many new adherents in recent years.
- has : singular, the theory : singular

Other option are wrong, reasons are :
B. determined by their blood type for the most part
- determined is adjective modify blood type, which is noun, doesn't indicate a cause or reason, even if we consider determined as verb, it will be in past tense and "determine to" would be correct idiom than determine by

C. owing to their blood type
- owing to (phrase) means yet to be paid to?

D. in large part in accordance with their blood type
- in accordance with is agree with X by Y with, we need cause and effect indicator not the comparison indicator.
- Phrases refer to verb without verb
in large part
in accordance with

E. because in large part of their blood type
- "Because of" implies that the decision was prompted by the analysis, whereas "based on" means the decision was influenced by the analysis.

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