sidbidus wrote:
The Daughters of the American Revolution, a volunteer service organization, admits as members only women who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.
(A) admits as members only women who can prove lineal descent
(B) admit as members only women who can prove lineal descent
(C) admits as members women who can prove lineal descent
(D) only admit as members women who can prove lineal descent
(E) admits as members women who can prove lineal descent only
Official Explanation:This sentence correctly matches the singular subject "Daughters of the American Revolution" with the singular verb "admits." Note that the subject is the organization (singular) rather than the many individual “daughters” (plural). "Only" correctly modifies "women who can prove…," indicating that neither men nor women without genealogical ties to an American patriot are admitted as members of the organization.
(A) CORRECT. This sentence is correct as written.
(B) This choice incorrectly matches the singular subject "Daughters of the American Revolution" with the plural verb "admit."
(C) In this choice, the adverb "only" has been deleted from the sentence, changing the meaning. The sentence now implies that the organization may admit the people mentioned (women who can prove lineal descent….) as well as other people not mentioned. The original intent of the sentence was to
indicate the eligibility requirement for membership.
(D) This choice incorrectly matches the singular subject "Daughters of the American Revolution" with the plural verb "admit."
(E) In this choice, the adverb "only" modifies "from a patriot of the American Revolution,” nonsensically indicating that to be eligible for membership in the organization, women can have no ancestors other than a single patriot.
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