Quote:
A newfound substance derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant, which is highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles, could offer new hope to asthmatics.
(A) A newfound substance derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant, which is highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles,
(B) A newfound substance derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant, highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles,
(C) A substance derived from the coralberry leaves, newly found to be highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles,
(D) A substance derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant, newfound and highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles,
(E) A newfound substance, highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant,
Experts Global Explanation:
ModifiersPlease remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
A. In this answer choice, “which is highly potent” incorrectly modifies the noun “coralberry plant” rather than the noun “substance”; in doing so, Option A incorrectly implies that the plant itself (rather than the substance derived from its leaves) relaxes bronchial muscles.
B. This answer choice maintains proper modifier use to successfully convey the intended meaning of the sentence. Thus, this answer choice is correct.
C. In this answer choice, “newly found to be highly potent in…” incorrectly modifies its nearest noun “coralberry leaves” rather than the noun “substance”; in doing so, Option C incorrectly implies that the leaves themselves (rather than the substance derived from them) is “newly found” and relaxes bronchial muscles.
D. This answer features an error similar to the one seen in Option C, incorrectly modifying the noun phrase “leaves of the coralberry plant” with the phrase “newfound and highly potent in relaxing bronchial muscles”.
E. This answer choice incorrectly modifies the noun “bronchial muscles” rather than the noun “substance” with the phrase “derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant”, illogically implying that the newfound substance is highly potent in relaxing muscles that are derived from the leaves of the coralberry plant.
B is the best answer choice.