Sentence Correction

Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private convention; instead, it is preciesly the opposite, s tool for communicating with a large, public audience.
A. the same

B. Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private convention, but which is

C.Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private convention that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become

D.Marconi conceived of the radio to be a a tool for private convention, substitute for the telephone, which has become

E. Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private convention, other than what it is,

OA is E. While the correct use of "conceive" should be "concieve of sth. as...". I choose C. Any comment?

C.Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private convention that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become
that clause is modifying "private convention", while it should modify "a tool"

If we put E into original sentence, and condense it:

Marconi conceived of the radio to be something, other than what it is, ...

The OA is C, not E

lilu wrote:The OA is C, not E

yep, I've noticed that the OA previously provided was wrong.

pakaskwa wrote:C.Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private convention that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become
that clause is modifying "private convention", while it should modify "a tool"

If we put E into original sentence, and condense it:

Marconi conceived of the radio to be something, other than what it is, ...

here in C that should point the subject Radio. Instead if "Which" is used then your point might be valid. Similarly the pronoun "it" correctly refers back to the subject Radio.

Whereas in other choices,

A -pronoun reference error, the verb "was" makes macroni's conception as subject.
B - carries little bit of misplaed modifier and misuse of pronoun "which"

Which should be used in only 2 cases,
1) refer back to the immediate noun/pronoun
2) give extra information aka non restrictive clause.

C - seems to be OK

D/E changes the meaning by using "to be" instead of "as a"

Also in "what it is" is wordy - not required!!

Anyone more detailed explanation pls ?

Conceive of x as y is the right idiom........ Conceive of x to be y is the wrong idiom