It seemed that hardly any vote was cast on the Senate or

Question

It seemed that hardly any vote was cast on the Senate or House floor  without some calculation as to how  it might affect the midterm election.

A. without some calculation as to how
B. without there is some calculation as to how
C. without that there is some calculation as to how
D. without some calculation as how
E. without some calculation to how

egmat · Accepted Answer

Hi All,

It seemed that hardly any vote was cast on the Senate or House floor  without some calculation as to how  it might affect the midterm election.

As we always begin, let's first get the  meaning of the sentence . The sentence means that not a single vote was cast without calculating its effect on the midterm election. Pretty simple.

Now let’s begin the  Error Analysis .
1. “without some calculation” is a prepositional phrase as correctly pointed out by  @Onell . Now  prepositional phrases can modify a noun as well as verb . In this sentence “without some calculation” is modifying the verb  “was cast”.  How hardly any vote was cast? Hardly any vote was cast “without some calculation”.
So, the context of the sentence always reveals whether a prepositional phrase in the sentence should modify a noun or a verb. Logically, it does not make sense for this prepositional phrase to modify the closest noun “floor”.

2. “as to how” is a common phrase that is basically used to question the “how” aspect of an action. Following are the few examples taken from different articles published in nytimes.com:
a. There were also clues as to how Mr. Holmes might have paid for the weapons and other materials he acquired. 
b. “People simply do not trust the administration’s vague promises as to how their gas tax dollars will be spent,” said Ken Orski, editor of Innovation NewsBriefs, a transportation newsletter.
This phrase has been correctly used in this sentence. Hence there are no errors in this sentence.

POE:

A. without some calculation as to how:  Correct  for the reasons stated above.

B. without there is some calculation as to how:  Incorrect.  The use of present tense is incorrect in this sentence. The sentence talks about past events. Also, this choice is wordy.

C. without that there is some calculation as to how:  Incorrect.  This choice repeats all the errors of the previous choice. Also, use of “that” is incorrect.

D. without some calculation as how:  Incorrect.  The correct idiom is “as to how”. Here “to” is missing.

E. without some calculation to how:  Incorrect.  The correct idiom is “as to how”. Here “as” is missing.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha

AtifS · Answer

Explanation and/or your logic behind the answer is more important than the answer.
So guys! plzz! explain it and let us know your opinion.

vibha12345 · Answer

explanation:
option 1: wrong use of 'to' before how,usage of 'as' is not proper
option 2,3:repeating above mistake along with wordiness
option4: correct.
'without' acts as a preposition and is folowed by noun.
'as' acts as conjunction and suordinate clause follows it.
option5:wrong use of 'to' before how
ans: option 4

achiever01 · Answer

Its a tougie. B, C are naturally out as they are too wordy. 'A' does sound correct.. but unable to determine any rule as to why D,E are incorrect

.. Experts, please help!

craky · Answer

Is anybody able to explain the use of "as to" ?

intcan · Answer

A is concise and 'as to how' is idiomatic.

Onell · Answer

It seemed that hardly any vote was cast on the Senate or House floor  without some calculation as to how it might affect the midterm election.

Guys, 
 without some calculation   is a prepositional phrase, thus will modify Floor.So how can the floor be without any calculation?
For example.
I read the book  on the table 
on the table is a prepositional phrase that modifies book

Please clarify

Shko1 · Answer

as is used because it introduces a clause "to how it might affect the midterm election." affect is the verb in the clause. As such, you have to include "as" before the "to".

JubtaGubar · Answer

I choosed D, but A seems to be correct also.

As to  is idiom meaning "with regard to, concerning, according to".

But why should we use  to  before  how ? I am not sure if it changes the meaning of the sentense.

NeoTrinity · Answer

A - as to how is the correct usage ...

kraizada84 · Answer

cant have reason why is D incorrect....!!

bschooladmit · Answer

To me, Some calculation as ____

As implies like hence doesn't convey the intended meaning

I am unable to figure out the grammatical err in E though I know it "sounds" wrong or awkward

Posted from my mobile device

daagh · Answer

IMO, ‘as to’ is an acceptable idiom, as per the freedictionary.com. Between A and D, I do not favor D since as how starts a process of comparison, which is not what the topic intends.

ranaazad · Answer

B is redundant, because of the usage of without there is.
C without that there is redundant too
D as how is awkward

Between A and E calculation as to how sounds better. Answer A :D

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

Correct Answer: A

The construction as to is idiomatic. In d and E, the use of as alone or to alone is incorrect.

VerbalBot · Answer

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It seemed that hardly any vote was cast on the Senate or

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