Violin enthusiasts rave about the unique, unreproducible sound of a Stradivarius, which implies that a modern violin is inferior even though studies show violinists and listeners prefer a modern violin’s sound.
A. which implies that a modern violin is inferior even though studies show
B. with the implication that a modern violin is inferior even though studies showC. implying that a modern violin is inferior even though studies show
D. implying that a modern violin is inferior though studies will show
E. implying that even a modern violin is inferior though studies showingA quick review of our sentence and the options shows a difference in the phrase that starts the underlined clause and in the verb form following “studies.”
We’ll consider the verb forms first. Our options are “show,” “will show,” and “showing.” It is impossible to know the results of a study before it even happens, so the future tense “will show” doesn’t make sense in this situation. Option D cannot be the best answer.
At first, we might want to choose “showing” because it appears to maintain a parallel structure with “implying.” However, a verb is needed here to accompany “studies.” “Showing” cannot act as a verb unless it is accompanied by a helping verb. There is not a helping verb here, so “studies” doesn’t have a verb in this answer choice. Option E cannot be the best answer.
Now let’s look at how our clause is started. A modifying clause that begins with an “-ing” word does not immediately follow the subject it is modifying but is usually separated by a few words. So “implying” has to be modifying “violinists.” “Which” clauses, on the other hand, always immediately follow the word or phrase they are modifying. So Option A makes it seem like it is the Stradivarius that is implying that a modern violin is inferior. That doesn’t really make sense, so Option A cannot be the best answer.
Option B uses “with the implication,” and this also makes it unclear if the clause is modifying “violinists” or “Stradivarius.” “With the implication” also violates the principle of conciseness, so Option B cannot be the best answer. We have eliminated four answer choices, so Option C is the best option.
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