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20 Aug 2023, 21:17
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ashutosh_73
Hi ashutosh_73,
Let's take a close look at all the issues in E.
BillyZ
1. Growing rampantly: This isn't the best way to convey the intended meaning. Has grown rampant means ~"has become very common", whereas growing rampantly means ~"growing in an uncontrolled way". Growing rampantly is a phrase I would use maybe for a specific plant or small area, not for the entire southern United States. I can understand why many people wouldn't want to take this meaning call, but for the scale we are looking at in this sentence, I think has grown rampant is the right choice. The present perfect has grown rampant (since) tells us that Kudzu has achieved the state of being widespread.
2. The comma before since: There are two problems here.
2a. Since can mean either "because" or "from the time that". When since means "from the time that", we may or may not see a comma before it. However, when since means "because", we are much more likely to see a comma before it. This means that putting a comma before since makes it harder for the reader to figure out which meaning we are aiming for.
2b. The other problem with the comma is that it makes it very difficult for the reader to identify what the since is meant to refer to. Here's the sentence option E leads to:
Quote:
Notice that the modifier is now within a pair of commas between two different parts of the sentence. Are we trying to say that the growing rampantly is what has been happening since the 1920s, or are we saying that Kudzu has overrun many houses since the 1920s?
Compare this with what C gives us:
Quote:
Option C makes it much easier for the reader to understand that the since is for has grown rampant.
Some of these calls are more reliable. Personally, I'd use (1) and (2b).
21 Aug 2023, 00:56
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BillyZ
The first thing we are required to do in an SC question is figure out the structure of the sentence.
Main Clause: Kudzu ... has overrun many houses and countless acres of roadside.
We have an appositive next to Kudzu that renames it.
Kudzu, an Asian vine that ... soil erosion, has overrun many houses...
Highlighted is the appositive. Look at the options now.
(A) that has grown rampantly in the southern United States since introducing it in the 1920s to thwart
We need to use the passive 'since it was introduced in the 1920s...' because the action of 'introducing' was performed by someone else.
(B) that has grown rampantly in the southern United States, since it was introduced in the 1920s for thwarting
It is better to show intention using 'to thwart,' not 'for thwarting.'
'Since' is acting as a conjunction here but when it means 'from the time when,' we do not need to use a comma before it.
We would write it as 'It has grown rampantly since it was introduced in the 1920s.'
Also, it messes up the flow of the sentence. Where does the appositive end?
- Kudzu, an Asian vine that has grown rampantly in the southern United States, since it was introduced in the 1920s for thwarting soil erosion, has overrun many houses and countless acres of roadside.
or
- Kudzu, an Asian vine that has grown rampantly in the southern United States, since it was introduced in the 1920s for thwarting soil erosion, has overrun many houses and countless acres of roadside.
Which of the two is the appositive? Note that the appositive can easily be as shown in the second sentence. It can be re-written as this:
Since it was introduced in the 1920s for thwarting soil erosion, Kudzu, an Asian vine that has grown rampantly in the southern United States, has overrun many houses and countless acres of roadside.
Hence the 'comma' before 'since' brings in ambiguity. Has Kudzu overrun many houses since 1920s or has it grown rampantly since 1920s? Meaning is not clear.
ashutosh_73
(C) that has grown rampant in the southern United States since it was introduced in the 1920s to thwart
Corrects both the errors present in option (B).
Note that the use of 'rampant' is correct too.
'A has grown rampant' means 'A has become rampant' in which 'rampant' acts as an adjective.
'A has grown rampantly' means the growth has been rapid and hence, 'rampantly' acts as an adverb.
(D) growing rampant in the southern United States since introducing it in the 1920s for thwarting
We need to use the passive 'since it was introduced in the 1920s...' because the action of 'introducing' was performed by someone else.
(E) growing rampantly in the southern United States, since it was introduced in the 1920s to thwart
The main issue with this option is the comma before 'since' as explained above in option (B).
Answer (C)
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31 Oct 2023, 12:56
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Hi KarishmaB and @gmatninnja
In option B we see that there are 2 modifiers between Kudzu and the main verb of the main clause. Is that allowed?
2 modifiers next to each other if they are modifying the main subject or if the second modifier is modifying the first modifier, is that allowed?
Thank you
In option B we see that there are 2 modifiers between Kudzu and the main verb of the main clause. Is that allowed?
2 modifiers next to each other if they are modifying the main subject or if the second modifier is modifying the first modifier, is that allowed?
Thank you
