In the above question choice

A) it and apply primer before applying the paint - very clear and conscise, The pronoun it has a clear antecedent, (rough surface)

((D) the surface and apply primer before you apply paint to the surface - This choice unnecessarily repeats the surface twice, when it can be solved by replacing with 'it'. it also changes the voice of the sentence by using- 'before you apply'

Hey!! I agree a is the best option.
But there is not OBJECT for " apply primer....." and "applying paint..... " right ???
Isnt it an incomplete sentence ???or is it understood that SURFACE is the object ??
Any comments would be appreciated.

thanks,
Rashmi

This falls under the category "concision"

The option A is concise and thus correct.

"it" refers to the surface and is unambiguous, so there is no need to repeat it again.

Agree with anshul

In A, it clearly refers to 'surface', as there is only one noun that 'it' can refer to. It can't refer to paint because paint is used as a verb.

(D) the surface and apply primer before you apply paint to the surface

In D, who is 'you' referring to? Pronouns are supposed to unambiguously refer to one noun. Plus this option is wordy. You don't have to repeat the word surface when you can use the word 'it'.

Good question...Initially i too went with D, but then realized that paint in a verb and not a noun...

In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to sand it and apply primer before applying the paint.
(A) it and apply primer before applying the paint
(B) it and prime it and paint it
(C) it, then prime it, then paint it
(D) the surface and apply primer before you apply paint to the surface
(E) the surface, apply primer to the surface and then paint it

Hey!

I was revising and I came up with a new doubt.

I was convinced by the solution posted above.
But my Doubt :

Please check the Bold face it. There are 2 "it" and I think now clear enough which it means which one

Please shed some light

Thanks