16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDangling infinitive phrase

Standard English Conventions practice question

To qualify for the scholarship, ____.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. applicants must submit two essays by the first of MarchCorrect
  2. B. two essays must be submitted by the first of March
  3. C. the deadline is the first of March
  4. D. it is necessary that two essays be submitted

Answer: A. applicants must submit two essays by the first of March

'To qualify for the scholarship' describes the people who want to qualify, so they must come right after the comma: 'applicants'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. two essays must be submitted by the first of March
This makes the essays the ones qualifying for the scholarship.
C. the deadline is the first of March
This makes the deadline the thing qualifying.
D. it is necessary that two essays be submitted
'it' follows the phrase, so 'it' is trying to qualify — which makes no sense.

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