16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDangling modifier with a prepositional opener

Standard English Conventions practice question

With the channel already filling, ____

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

  1. A. the walkers turned back at once.Correct
  2. B. turning back was decided at once by the walkers.
  3. C. it was at once decided by the walkers to turn back.
  4. D. the decision to turn back was made by the walkers at once.

Answer: A. the walkers turned back at once.

The opener describes the walkers' situation; the walkers should be the subject, and the active form is clearest.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. turning back was decided at once by the walkers.
Wordy passive that makes the turning-back the subject.
C. it was at once decided by the walkers to turn back.
Empty 'it' and a passive.
D. the decision to turn back was made by the walkers at once.
Makes the decision the subject of a wordy passive.

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