modifiers

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modifiers

by vipulgoyal » Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:17 pm
Using a metal detector, old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists even though
they are buried in the sand and dirt
.
A) Using a metal detector, old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists even
though they are buried in the sand and dirt.
B) Old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists using a metal detector even
though they are buried in the sand and dirt.
C) Using a metal detector, hobbyists can locate old coins and other valuables even though
they are buried in the sand and dirt.
D) Buried in the sand and dirt, old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists
using a metal detector.
E) A metal detector can be used to locate old coins and other valuables that are buried in
the sand and dirt by a hobbyist.
C

I am skeptical about "They" in right option

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by VivianKerr » Tue Jun 17, 2014 7:57 pm
Let's look at this question using process of elimination.

A) Modification error - "old coins and other valuables" cannot use metal detectors
B) Passive voice - it's not a hard and fast grammar error, but unlikely to be correct; also has a suspect "they"
C) Suspicious "they" but at least we're in Active voice with the Modification issue fixed!
D) Passive voice
E) Meaning error -- the hobbyist isn't the one doing the burying, but rather doing the finding

So, I agree with you about the suspicious "they" so how would we choose the correct one? Let's examine our run-down again:

A) Modification error
B) Passive voice; Pronoun?
C) Pronoun?
D) Passive voice
E) Meaning error

The correct answer cannot have a modification or meaning error, so (A) and (E) would immediately be out. Of the remaining, it's very unlikely the correct answer would be a passive construction. We've got to go with (C).
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by AnjaliOberoi » Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:04 pm
The answer is C, modifying phrase is closest with the word it's modifying and also, C is in Active voice.

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by [email protected] » Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:34 pm
HI vipulgoyal,

This SC is based on modification and "style" rules. Since the entire sentence is underlined, we have the "opportunity" to add/subtract words, reorder the words and even change the meaning of the sentence. In this situation, we're looking for an answer that is grammatically correct from beginning to end.

In these situations, it's sometimes difficult to "group and eliminate" answer choices, so you have to go on the hunt for individual errors in each sentence.

A: "Using a metal detector" is a modifying phrase that describes "hobbyists." Here though, it modifies "old coins." Old coins cannot use a metal detector. Eliminate A.

B: "Old coins...can be located BY hobbyists" is written in passive voice, which is rarely correct. In this sentence, the wording should be "hobbyists can locate old coins...." Eliminate B.

C: "Using a metal detector" correctly describes "hobbyists." The rest of the sentence IS in active voice. The pronoun "they" may seem like a vague pronoun, but "they" refers to the preceding plural noun "coins and other valuables" and any perceived ambiguity here is silly ("hobbyists" are not buried in the sand and dirt.

D: "....can be located BY hobbyists" is passive. Eliminate D.

E: The sentence doesn't state WHO is using a metal detector. With no subject, we have our first problem. The phrase "...BY a hobbyist" is also passive. Eliminate E.

Final Answer: C

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by vipulgoyal » Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:34 pm
Thanks Experts, One more split hovered in my mind is that the notion of "even though" is neccessary to convey the original meaning hence D and E out