16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardIntroductory 'having' phrase needs its subject

Standard English Conventions practice question

Having reviewed all forty applications, ____.

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

  1. A. the committee announced its shortlist of fiveCorrect
  2. B. the shortlist of five was announced by the committee
  3. C. a shortlist of five was announced
  4. D. the announcement of a shortlist of five followed

Answer: A. the committee announced its shortlist of five

'Having reviewed all forty applications' describes whoever did the reviewing — the committee — so the committee must come right after the comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the shortlist of five was announced by the committee
This makes the shortlist the one that reviewed the applications.
C. a shortlist of five was announced
Again the shortlist is made the reviewer.
D. the announcement of a shortlist of five followed
This makes the announcement the reviewer.

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