It is common in Helen Hayes Theater, as in almost every local theater,

+1 for C

The incorrect answer choices can be eliminated on the basis on Subject Verb Agreement.

It is common in Helen Hayes Theater, as in almost every local theater, the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as has the desires of the public.


(A) in almost every local theater, the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as has
- desires is plural. we should use "have"

(B) in almost every local theater, that the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as has
- desires is plural. we should use "have"

(C) it is in almost every local theater, that the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as have
-correct SV agreement.

(D) is in almost every local theater, that the opinion of administrators have played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as have
-"opinion" and "has" do not match

(E) it is in almost every local theater, the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as has
"has" does not match with desires

MANHATTAN REVIEW OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

Option A does not provide a complete sentence. The expression is ‘it is common that.’ E has the same problem. The noun ‘desires’ is plural so the verb referring to desires must also be plural. Eliminate B. It should be ‘as have the desires’ not ‘as has the desires’. That leaves C and D. It is necessary to say ‘as it is’ rather than ‘as is’ at the start of the option. D is also incorrect because it says ‘the opinion...have’. The correct answer is C.

Can someone please explain how "that" comes after the comma and is considered correct?

I opted for option C can someone explain as how "as it is" better?

Can some provide a proper explanation? is it rule or am I missing something?

Hello, this is my attempt:

It is common in Helen Hayes Theater, as in almost every local theater, the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as has the desires of the public.


the use of that comes after a modifying phrase that is enclosed between two commas. "as it is in almost every local theater" is just giving us more information about Halen Hayes Theater. The use of that does not modify any part of the phrase within the comma. If you remove the phrase in option C it reads:

"It is common in Helen Hayes Theater that the opinion of administrators has played at least as large a part in deciding what to perform as have the desires of the public. So now the correct usage is it is common that...