VivianKerr wrote:I actually WOULD eliminate B and D because of the redundancy. When you say something is "a botch AND a failure," the use of the word "and" creates redundancy. But when you use a comma, you are using the second word as clarification.
A is a run-on, and would require a semicolon instead of a comma between "all" and "it."
E is wordier than C, and includes the ever-suspicious "being."
C is correct. As a side note, if you eliminated down to C and D, notice how they are both grammatically correct, but C is more concise. Look for a secondary style error when you are choosing between the "final two."
But Botch and Failre mean 2 different Things
fail·ure (flyr)
n.
1. The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends: the failure of an experiment.
2. One that fails: a failure at one's career.
3. The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short: a crop failure.
4. A cessation of proper functioning or performance: a power failure.
5. Nonperformance of what is requested or expected; omission: failure to report a change of address.
6. The act or fact of failing to pass a course, test, or assignment.
7. A decline in strength or effectiveness.
8. The act or fact of becoming bankrupt or insolvent.
botch (bch)
tr.v. botched, botch·ing, botch·es
1. To ruin through clumsiness.
2. To make or perform clumsily; bungle.
3. To repair or mend clumsily.
n.
1. A ruined or defective piece of work: "I have made a miserable botch of this description" (Nathaniel Hawthorne).
2. A hodgepodge.
" and a failure " adds information which is not redundant
