Sentence Correction

Although various eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American poets had professed an interest in Native American poetry and had pretended to imitate Native American forms in their own works, until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not begin seriously to study traditional Native American poetry in native languages.

(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not begin seriously to study
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not begun seriously studying
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics to begin seriously to study
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and critics began to seriously study
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and critics seriously began studying

Meaning Analysis:
The sentence states a contrast.
Fact 1 = Various 18th & 19th century poets showed interest in Native American poetry & pretended to imitate this form in their works.
Fact 2 = But still scholars and critics seriously began studying this topic (Native American poetry) after 1900.

Error Analysis:
1: Although various eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American poets had professed an interest in Native American poetry and had pretended to imitate Native American forms in their own works,until almost 1900,
2: scholars and critics did not begin seriously to study traditional Native American poetry in native languages.

Subject-Verb = No Error
Verb Tense = Correct sequencing: "had professed" & "had pretended" took place prior to "did not begin".
Modifier = until almost 1900. It appears that this modifier should modify the verb in clause 2, but its placement is such (separated by commas from both clauses) that it can modify clause 1 verbs as well. Thus, this sentence has modifier error.

POE:
(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not begin seriously to study - Incorrect - Modifier Error
No Other choice has modifier error.
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not begun seriously studying - Incorrect - Modifier error corrected by removing the comma after 1900. Verb tense error - "had begun" should be "began" to show the intended verb sequencing.
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics to begin seriously to study - Incorrect - Awkward construction - scholars and critics were to begin...
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and critics began to seriously study - Incorrect - It is not clear what "almost" modifies. Per the intended meaning "almost" should modify 1900 implying "around 1900 - e.g it could be in 1899 or 1901". But placing "almost" before "until" no longer communicates the intended approximation of time period "around 1900".
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and critics seriously began studying - Correct.

Notice how we did not need to use the "split infinitives" to get to the correct answer. Wherever possible, we should stick to the basics of grammar and apply a structured methodology to solve questions.

Thanks,

Payal