16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDangling modifier with a passive main clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Founded as a coaching inn in 1740, ____

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

  1. A. the building has served as a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery.Correct
  2. B. a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery have all occupied the building.
  3. C. the town has used the building as a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery.
  4. D. there have been a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery in the building.

Answer: A. the building has served as a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery.

The building is what was founded, so it must be the subject of the main clause.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery have all occupied the building.
Makes the bank, school, and surgery the things founded in 1740.
C. the town has used the building as a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery.
Makes the town founded as an inn.
D. there have been a bank, a school, and a doctor's surgery in the building.
'There' cannot be founded.

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