gas & electric company

[RichaChampion]

* "with states opening..." is incorrect. when you have an -ING WITHOUT COMMA modifier, like this one, it's a RESTRICTIVE ("essential") modifier. this means that we're only talking about those states that are "opening their utility markets to competition", the implication being that only some states are doing so. the intended meaning is better conveyed by "as states open..."

(e) doesn't have this problem.

Mr. Purewal → The bolded portion above is a very subtle understanding. Can you help me understand better by citing some more examples.

[RonPurewal]

The bolded portion above is a very subtle understanding.

this ^^ is correct... which means you should IGNORE IT, and go find easier ways to eliminate choices.

you should NEVER have to think through "subtleties". if such things are included in the problems, they're there as distractions from the more fundamental issues.

[NicoleT643]

2) if no comma:
the with modifier only modifies nouns preceding it.

nope.
this idea is contradicted right here on this page.

top post on this page:
I can't focus on my work with all the noise in here
this sentence is perfectly ok.
with all the noise in here describes "I can't focus on my work."

Hi Ron, just want to confirmed the usage of with, 'with' can be used as any other preposition, and it can modifier the previous noun or the entire clause, for example
I read the book on the table --- on the table modifies the noun "book"
I read the book on the train --- on the train modifiers the entire clause "I read the book"

therefore, "with" modifier is the same as any preposition modifiers, right?

Thanks

[RonPurewal]

that aspect of usage is the same in both cases, yes.

[jabgt]

My version:the merger of the nation’s leading gas company and leading electric company is intended to create a huge network for marketing the utilities in question ,with states opening their utility markets to competition.

The only difference between my version and OA is the boldface.
So, I wonder if my version is correct? Does my version convey the same intended meaning?

DOMO ARIGATO.
Tadashi.

Nope.
If you use "with", you're saying that the following words describe something that's a component or aspect of the previous thing.
That's not the message here. The message is that the states are opening their markets"”i.e., something they are going to do anyway"”AND SO the companies want to create a huge network in the resulting open market.

Dear Ron Sir,

I let below qustion go as you said I "should IGNORE IT, and go find easier ways to eliminate choices."

Best Regards,
Christine

------------------------

Then may I ask how to understand the official answer of one prep problem "With the cost of wireless service plummeting in the last year and mobile phones becoming increasingly common, many people are now using their mobile phones to make calls across a wide region at night and on weekends."? Because to me they seem to be analogous.

Thanks a lot!

[RonPurewal]

those observations ^^ apply when "comma + with..." follows a sentence.

if "with... + comma" precedes the sentence, the context is entirely different. in that case, the modifier describes some sort of pre-existing and/or precipitating circumstance.
in other words, this kind of modifier describes a relationship that's not quite strong or direct enough to be truly called "cause/effect" -- but in which the modifier describes a circumstance or situation (possibly one of many such circumstances) that set the stage for whatever is described in the main sentence.