OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONProject SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1)
THE PROMPTQuote:
It is undeniable that freelancers are permanent fixtures in today’s economy but also just as undeniable that freelance work can be immensely attractive.
The sentence describes two things about freelancers and their work, and there is no contrast between these two things.
(1) Freelancers are permanent fixtures in the modern economy.
(2) Freelancers' work can be very attractive
THE OPTIONSQuote:
A) but also just as
• the use of
but is incorrect: no contrast exists between (1) and (2) above.
The two facts are simply related, not oppositional.
ELIMINATE A
Quote:
B) but it is also
• the use of but is incorrect
→
but signals contrast. We do not need contrast.
ELIMINATE B
Quote:
C) just as
• We do not have a complete sentence. Read this option in context, out loud if you can.
It is undeniable that freelancers are permanent fixtures in today’s economy, just as undeniable that freelance work can be immensely attractive.→ a conjunction is missing
→ after economy + comma, we need:
AND [it is] just as undeniable that freelance work can be immensely attractive.
ELIMINATE C
Quote:
D) and equally
• I do not see any errors
• the conjunction
and correctly the two aspects of freelance work, without adding improper contrast
• Parallelism is maintained.
→ It is undeniable that Xs are ABC || and [it is] equally undeniable that X work is PQR.
•
It is undeniable delays the two subjects; both are that-clauses.
→ It is undeniable
that freelancers are permanent fixtures in today’s economy and [it is] equally undeniable
that freelance work can be immensely attractive. → Sometimes sentences are constructed this way to highlight the subject. English is an "end-weighted" language.
We could eliminate the "it," transpose the subjects and verb, and move the adjective, this way:
Correct but stilted and weird:
[The fact] That freelancers are permanent fixtures in today's economy is undeniable, and [the fact] that freelance work can be immensely attractive is equally undeniable. KEEP
Quote:
E) but
• the word
but implies contrast. No contrast exists between the two things described by the sentence.
ELIMINATE E
The correct answer is DNOTESOn questions in which you are slightly (or very) unfamiliar with the construction, remember to read your answer choice back into the sentence, especially when the options are this short and thus easy to insert.
Look for basics. In this case, option C lacks a conjunction.
We can't stick two things together with nothing more than a comma except in idiomatic situations such as
The harder I work, the luckier I get. (I think Yogi Berra said those words, but I'm not positive.)
That use of a comma without a conjunction is sanctioned by idiom. In this case, you need "and."
COMMENTSThis sentence is fairly sophisticated.
Don't be worried if you got the answer wrong.
Now you know what these constructions look like.
All of you showed good critical thinking to a point and then took a small wrong turn.
These small wrong turns are a good thing: better that you make them here than on the test.
Kudos go to
carouselambra , who was the only poster who chose the correct answer before the OA was revealed.