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The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but

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Bunuel
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The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink] New post   29 May 2023, 01:30
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61% (01:13) correct 39% (01:22) wrong based on 141 sessions
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The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but it had probably scared thousands of small children even before the existence of Latin.


A. but it had probably scared thousands of small children even before

B. yet it had probably scared thousands of small children even before

C. but monsters had probably scared thousands of small children even prior to

D. but had probably scared thousands of small children even before

E. but monsters had probably scared thousands of small children even before



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E
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thelastskybender
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Re: The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink] New post   29 May 2023, 04:00
Since the word 'Monster' is derived from the Latin word, so it( the word) wasn't what scaring the children before the existence of Latin. Hence A, B and D are out.

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Re: The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink] New post   31 May 2023, 10:52
i chose the correct answer - but would like to know why the preference between "prior to" and "Before"
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Re: The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink] New post   04 Jun 2023, 09:22
Hi KarishmaB Ma'am!

Why has 'even before' (in option E) been preferred over 'prior to' (in option C)?

Can you please help explain the grammar/phrasal nuances, here? TIA! :")
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Re: The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink] New post   04 Jun 2023, 18:30
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Bunuel wrote:
The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but it had probably scared thousands of small children even before the existence of Latin.


A. but it had probably scared thousands of small children even before

B. yet it had probably scared thousands of small children even before

C. but monsters had probably scared thousands of small children even prior to

D. but had probably scared thousands of small children even before

E. but monsters had probably scared thousands of small children even before



This is a SC Butler Question


OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but it had probably scared thousands of small children even before the existence of Latin.


A. but it had probably scared thousands of small children even before

Incorrect.

This answer choice is illogical. The pronoun it refers to The word monster, but it is not the word that had scared children, it is the monster.

What helps us identify this mistake is the following Stop Sign:

    The word/term... it is...

Whenever we see this Stop Sign, we know that the topic that the question checks is pronouns, specifically using refers to/defines/describes after the word/term (and not is).


B. yet it had probably scared thousands of small children even before

Incorrect.

This answer choice repeats the original mistake. The pronoun it refers to The word monster, but it is not the word that had scared children, it is the monster.

Note that replacing the word but with the word yet does NOT change the meaning of the original sentence since the two words are synonymous (that is, have the same meaning). If you eliminated this answer choice because you thought that replacing but with yet constitutes a meaning change, you eliminated it for the wrong reason.


C. but monsters had probably scared thousands of small children even prior to

While this answer choice corrects the original mistake, it is stylistically flawed - specifically, redundant - as a result of replacing the single word before with the two-word phrase prior to.


D. but had probably scared thousands of small children even before

Incorrect.

This answer choice fails to correct the original mistake. It changes the structure of the original sentence, making it a single sentence whose subject is The word monster. Thus, this answer choice states that the word monster had probably scared children, which is logically incorrect. The word monster in itself is not scary. An actual monster is what's scary.


E. but monsters had probably scared thousands of small children even before

This answer choice corrects the original mistake by replacing the pronoun it with the noun monsters.
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KarishmaB
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Re: The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink] New post   05 Jun 2023, 08:56
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CattoSiddy wrote:
Hi KarishmaB Ma'am!

Why has 'even before' (in option E) been preferred over 'prior to' (in option C)?

Can you please help explain the grammar/phrasal nuances, here? TIA! :")



I don't see much difference between the two options. If I were made to choose, I would likely choose "even before" and not "even prior to" because "even prior to" is a little more cumbersome.
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Re: The word monster originates from the ancient Latin word monstrum, but [#permalink]
05 Jun 2023, 08:56
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