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ranjeet1975
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Confusing Sentence Structure

by ranjeet1975 Fri May 27, 2011 11:26 am

RonPurewal wrote:
manassingh wrote:
leaching, the recovery of copper from the drainage water of mines, was a well-established method of extracting mineral that[method] was
as early as the eighteenth century, but until about 25 years ago miners did not realize that bacteria taken an active part in the process

Since that is referring to method, the sentence does not make sense. Hence D is wrong.



you got it.

--

importantly, in this sort of structure (NOUN1 + prep + NOUN2 + THAT..., or NOUN1 + (modifier ending with NOUN2) + THAT...), the "that"-modifier can actually modify either NOUN1 or NOUN2.
for instance:
the library has a new method of sorting cd's that makes certain genres of music easier to find. --> here, "that makes..." refers to the method of sorting.
the library has a new method of sorting cd's that don't fit into any of the traditional musical genres. --> here, "that don't fit..." refers to the cd's, not the method.
both sentences are correct.

however, in the example above, either of these two interpretations leads to an absurd sentence -- neither the method (= NOUN1) nor the mineral (= NOUN2) "was as early as the 18th century" -- so this option is flat-out incorrect.




Please read the following question:

Coronary angiography, a sophisticated method for diagnosing coronary disease involving the introduction of a dye into the arteries of the heart, is now administered selectively, because it uses x-rays to observe cardiac function.
(A) for diagnosing coronary disease involving the introduction of a dye into the arteries of the heart, is now administered selectively, because it uses
(B) for diagnosing coronary disease involving the introduction of a dye into the arteries of heart, is now administered selectively, because of using
(C) for diagnosing coronary disease, involves the introduction of dye into the arteries of the heart and is now administered selectively, because it uses
(D) to diagnose coronary disease that involves the introduction of a dye into the arteries of the heart, is now administered selectively, because it uses
(E) to diagnose coronary disease involving the introduction of a dye into the arteries of the heart, which is now administered selectively, uses

C is the official answer and it is right.

But if we go by the rule:

in this sort of structure (NOUN1 + prep + NOUN2 + THAT..., or NOUN1 + (modifier ending with NOUN2) + THAT...), the "that"-modifier can actually modify either NOUN1 or NOUN2

Why then D is not right.
seraphicgirl
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Re: Confusing Sentence Structure

by seraphicgirl Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:17 pm

Hey!
I never follow hard and fast rules for SC, as such, here is my take on it:

If you substitute option D in the sentence, you will find the following sentence:
Coronary angiography,a sophisticated method to diagnose coronary disease that involves the introduction of a dye into the arteries of the heart, is now administered selectively, because it uses x-rays to observe cardiac function.

The most glaring shortcoming in this sentence seems to be the fact that "that" used after disease does not make it clear as to whether it refers to the angiography or the disease itself.
jnelson0612
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Re: Confusing Sentence Structure

by jnelson0612 Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:07 pm

Per forum rules, will you please provide the original source of the problem?
Jamie Nelson
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sadhyasharma
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Re: Confusing Sentence Structure

by sadhyasharma Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:56 am

Seraphicgirl,

Is it not clear from the meaning that the 'that' in the statement refers to the sophisticated method and not the coronary disease?

Ron/Stacey, please comment.

Thanks in advance
tim
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Re: Confusing Sentence Structure

by tim Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:53 am

No help on this problem until we have a source. Please follow the rules..
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