Sentence Correction

Maesanin, the active ingredient in an herbal tea used by East Africans to ward off cholera, (has an antibacterial action but by a mechanism that is neither understood nor simmilar to that of )other antibiotics.

a. has an antibacterial action but by a mechanism that is neither understood nor simmilar to that of
b. has an antibacterial action by a mechanism that is not understood,however,nor simmilar to
c. has an antibacterial action, but it does so by a mechanism that is neither understood nor simmilar to that of
d. acts against bacteria by a mechanism that is not understood,however, and is different from
e. acts against bacteria,but it does so by a mechanism that is not understood and is different from that of

oa E

E is better.
Logic- As comparison is based on mechanism so "that of" is required at end...so left with c and e ...e is more clearly..

A looks correct to me. In E, it appears not have a clear referent.

Please help.

Thanks.

Clear E by POE

whats wrong with A & C ?

mankey wrote:A looks correct to me. In E, it appears not have a clear referent.

Please help.

Thanks.

A, B and C imparts illogical meaning,
Maesanin,modifier, has an antibacterial action.... - Maesanin can not has an action of its own, it can perform the action...thats what d and e states

A noun cannot posses any "action" by its own, it can only perform the action.

Hope this helps !!!