Allen760 wrote:
In 1926, in her second attempt to swim across the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle not only crossed the Channel against currents that forced her to swim thirty-five miles instead of the minimal twenty-one, but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done.
(A) but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone bad yet done
(B) but also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done
(C) but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, and setting a record for speed
(D) but also setting a record for speed by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done
(E) but, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, she also set a record for speed
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I'll mark my reasoning against each of the options:
(A) but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone bad yet done -
//lism fails; Correct marker "not only...but also" (B) but also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done -
//lism in place, followed by a verb (Note not only is also followed by a verb), swimming the distance is actually modifying the subject Gertrude Ederle (correct me if I'm wrong here) we shortlist B(C) but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, and setting a record for speed -
//lism in place, but also is followed by a verb, we shortlist C (D) but also setting a record for speed by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done -
//lism in place, but also is not followed by a verb but an -ing verbal, hence we exclude this (E) but, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, she also set a record for speed -
//lism failsSo now between B & C, we compare with respect to the intended meaning. Hence, B's right.