In 195 ROchard Stellman, a well known critic of the patent system, testified in patent office hearings that, to test the system, a colleague of his had managed to win a patent for one of Kirchoff’s laws, an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and now included in virtually every textbook of elementary physics.
a. same
b. laws, which was an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and it is
c. Laws, namely, it was an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and
d. Laws, an observation about electric current first made in 1845, it is
e. Laws that was an observation about electric current, first made in 1845, and is
Answer is A
But what is wrong with B. The “which” refers directly to the laws. I don’t see the problem can someone explain this in the simplest terms to me please.
C. doesn’t the word NAMELY make this redundant?
d. IT IS doesn’t fit the sentence by hearing it out.
Can someone explain this to me in an easy way please
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Hey folks,
We should notice that there are two elements in our modifying phrase:
an observation about electric current (1) first made in 1845 and (2) now included in virtually every textbook of elementary physics
This means that the two elements must have parallel structure. This is true in A, but in B
which (1)was an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and (2)it is now included in virtually every textbook of elementary physics
we get add a subject into the second element. We would never say "which it is now included", so B is wrong.
E we could probably rule out due to concision alone (longer + more punctuation usually = wrong), but it's also wrong for a more subtle reason. A comma + "which" or a comma alone creates a non-restrictive clause, or something that isn't necessary to the sentence. "Who" or "that" creates a restrictive clause, or something that is necessary to the sentence. Non-restrictive and restrictive clauses work differently when paired with "one of the [plural noun]".
If you have "one of the [plural noun] who/that ______", then "______" must be a plural verb.
If you have "one of the [plural noun], ______" or "one of the [plural noun], which ______", then "______" must be a singular verb.
For example:
I gave a bone to one of the dogs that were crossing the street.
I gave a bone to one of the dogs, which was crossing the street.
Since we have a non-restrictive clause ("that"), we need a plural verb.
If you want more info on why who/that works this way with "one of the", check out lunarpower's posts here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/one-of-the-t40356.html
We should notice that there are two elements in our modifying phrase:
an observation about electric current (1) first made in 1845 and (2) now included in virtually every textbook of elementary physics
This means that the two elements must have parallel structure. This is true in A, but in B
which (1)was an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and (2)it is now included in virtually every textbook of elementary physics
we get add a subject into the second element. We would never say "which it is now included", so B is wrong.
E we could probably rule out due to concision alone (longer + more punctuation usually = wrong), but it's also wrong for a more subtle reason. A comma + "which" or a comma alone creates a non-restrictive clause, or something that isn't necessary to the sentence. "Who" or "that" creates a restrictive clause, or something that is necessary to the sentence. Non-restrictive and restrictive clauses work differently when paired with "one of the [plural noun]".
If you have "one of the [plural noun] who/that ______", then "______" must be a plural verb.
If you have "one of the [plural noun], ______" or "one of the [plural noun], which ______", then "______" must be a singular verb.
For example:
I gave a bone to one of the dogs that were crossing the street.
I gave a bone to one of the dogs, which was crossing the street.
Since we have a non-restrictive clause ("that"), we need a plural verb.
If you want more info on why who/that works this way with "one of the", check out lunarpower's posts here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/one-of-the-t40356.html
Erika John - Content Manager/Lead Instructor
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