Sid wrote
Quote:
Hi daagh,
In option C, is it correct if we replace them with it, since that will clear out the singular-plural issue.
Also by logic will 'it' refer to ant and not its natural enemies ?
What if the 'enemies' is replaced by enemy and sentence says:
Many entomologists say that campaigns to eradicate the fire ant in the United States have failed because the chemicals that were used were effective only in wiping out the ant's natural enemy, which made it easier for it to spread.
Will the above sentence be correct ?
I am having a problem in identifying pronoun antecedants
Many entomologists say that campaigns to eradicate the fire ant in the United States have failed because the chemicals that were used were effective only in wiping out the ant's natural enemies,
which made it easier for them to spread.
A. which made it easier for them
B. which makes it easier for it
C. thus making it easier for them
D. thus making it easier for the ant
E. thereby, it was made easier for the ant
Both your suggestions may not pass. In the case of the first suggestion, the rules are clear that a given pronoun should refer to just one noun only. 'It' to be a placeholder or dummy in one place and to refer to the fire ant in another place is not correct grammatically.
Your second suggestion is also out of scope because a fire ant has several natural enemies not just one as you suggest. The plural 'enemies' is indispensible in the context.
However, what is the point in trying to meddle with a non-underlined part and change the entire focus of the given question? There is a beautiful correct answer in C and we should simply take it and go to the next question.
If someone is habituated to this kind of mis-practice, then it may be fatal on the Test day.
_________________
Thank you Daagh for your time on GMAT Club and all your contributions! Thank you for everything you did!Your work will remain a great tribute to you here on GMAT Club!
-bb