Since its invention in the 1940s radiocarbon dating which helps

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



THE PROMPT

• Issues?

The word since.

When since is used as a preposition to introduce a specific time or date in the past, it is typically used with present perfect and past perfect tenses—and not simple past tense.

Since refers to a period of time that started at a specific point in the past and continues up until now (present perfect) or that continues up until another point in the past (past perfect).
Correct, past perfect: I had not seen my ailing great-aunt since 2015; she had grown thin and frail.
Correct, present perfect: Since the military coup in February of 2021, brave people have fought for democracy.
Wrong, past tense: Since he left the Republican party, Steve Schmidt loudly refused to tolerate anti-democratic proponents and supporters of the Big Lie. [correction: HAS loudly refused to tolerate . . .]
Wrong, present tense: Since yesterday, his health improves. [correction: . . . his health HAS improved]

THE OPTIONS

• verb tense error
The use of the simple past tense revolutionized with since is incorrect.
The sentence requires the present perfect tense has revolutionized.
ELIMINATE A


• Verb tense error
The use of the simple present tense helps with since is incorrect, because the action has been taking place over a period of time in the past as well its taking place now.
ELIMINATE B


• Fragment: the Case of the Missing Verb
→ No main verb exists for the subject radiocarbon dating. We are left with a fragment
→ Any sentence with a relative clause (who-, which-, that-clause) will always have two verbs.
The relative pronoun (in this case, which), "eats up" the verb "helps."
ELIMINATE C

• I do not see any errors.
→ The sentence uses the present perfect tense has revolutionized with since to describe the effect of radiocarbon dating from its invention in the 1940s to now.
→ The phrase that begins with helping modifies the entire previous clause.
KEEP


• Diction: The word from creates an awkward and unidiomatic sentence.

• Concision and meaning
→ The use of in revolutionizing either lengthens the sentence unnecessarily (compare to option D) or somewhat nonsensically suggests that scientists are doing two things: calculating and revolutionizing.
Scientists themselves have not been revolutionizing archaeology and geology "out of nowhere."
Radiocarbon dating, or the scientists' use of radiocarbon dating, has done so.
ELIMINATE E

The best answer is D.

COMMENTS

ananya3 , it's been a little while—I am glad to "see" you.

Of course, I am always glad to see all the members of the SC Butler crew.
You work consistently and diligently.
You all help to create a sense of community and continuity.
You show up.

Almost all of these answers are superb.
Kudos to all.

A) Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionized archaeology and geology.
Incorrect
We need "has" revolutionized because the tense marker "Since" is used. The use of simple past tense "revolutionized" is inappropriate in this case.
I.e. Since its invention, radiocarbon dating has revolutionized archaeology and geology

B) Radiocarbon dating, since its invention in the 1940s, helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionizing archaeology and geology.
Incorrect and preposterous.
"Radiocarbon dating helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material", this statement is in the present tense, which is incorrect. Also the appositive "since its invention in the 1940s" doesn't fit well with simple present tense.

C) Revolutionizing archaeology and geology since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material.
Incorrect.
Lacks verb.

D) Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating has revolutionized archaeology and geology, helping scientists in calculating the age of organic material.
Looks Ok.


E) Radiocarbon dating, from its invention in the 1940s, has helped scientists in calculating the age of organic material, and in revolutionizing archaeology and geology.
Incorrect.
Doesn't maintain the intended meaning. It appears that from the invention of Radiocarbon dating, it has helped scientists. Which is a horrible statement.
Plus there is a parallelism issue too. "in revolutionizing archaeology and geology" should be is revolutionizing

Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionized archaeology and geology.


A) Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionized archaeology and geology. - since gives a hint for present perfect tense to be used. Incorrect.

B) Radiocarbon dating, since its invention in the 1940s, helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionizing archaeology and geology.-Same as A.

C) Revolutionizing archaeology and geology since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material. - It doesn't have verb, fragmented. Incorrect.

D) Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating has revolutionized archaeology and geology, helping scientists in calculating the age of organic material.- RD has done something and -ing modifier completes the story. It makes sense. Let's keep it.

E) Radiocarbon dating, from its invention in the 1940s, has helped scientists in calculating the age of organic material, and in revolutionizing archaeology and geology - Meaning changed. Incorrect.

So, I think D.

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Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionized archaeology and geology.

Verb shall be present perfect not simple present as the action is continuing since 1940s- Eliminate

A) Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionized archaeology and geology.

B) Radiocarbon dating, since its invention in the 1940s, helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material, revolutionizing archaeology and geology.

C) Revolutionizing archaeology and geology since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists in calculating the age of organic material.

Verb missing for Subject "radiocarbon dating "
D) Since its invention in the 1940s, radiocarbon dating has revolutionized archaeology and geology, helping scientists in calculating the age of organic material.
All good

E) Radiocarbon dating, from its invention in the 1940s, has helped scientists in calculating the age of organic material, and in revolutionizing archaeology and geology.

Meaning changed

IMO D is the right answer

The official explanation is here.

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