LucyDang wrote:
According to the National Pasta Association, per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, which has already been approaching 19 pounds a year, will achieve 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century. A. According to the National Pasta Association, per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, which has already been approaching 19 pounds a year, will achieve 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century.
B. Already approaching 19 pounds a year in the United States, the National Pasta Association predicts that per-capita consumption of pasta will reach 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century.
C. The National Pasta association predicts by the twenty-first century that per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, which is already approaching 19 pounds a year, will reach 30 pounds a year.
D. By the twenty-first century, the National Pasta Association predicts that per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, having already approached 19 pounds a year, will reach 30 pounds a year.
E. According to the National Pasta Association, per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States is already approaching 19 pounds a year and will reach 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century.
I chose E. However, I can't figure out whether the modifier "which has already been approaching 19 pounds a year" refers to "consumption" or "the U.S.". Normally, noun modifier can modify slightly far away noun as in this link " noun-modifiers-can-modify-slightly-far-away-noun-135868.html " if using that modifier will not create ambiguous. In this sentence, "19 pounds a year" cannot be used to describe "the U.S"; thus, I think that this modifier refersto "consumption". However, as I read, many folks mention that using this modifier can modify "the U.S", leaving me a huge confusion.Experts, please help to explain this issue to me! Many thanks and kudos for you! Hey Maybe i can help here.
IMO E
"which has already been approaching 19 pounds a year"refers to "consumption"..Lets see meaning of each choice
A. According to the National Pasta Association, per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, which has already been approaching 19 pounds a year, will achieve 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century. -
In this option, "which" incorrectly modifies United states.United states cannot approach 19 pounds/yr. It has to be some quantity which must reach the value of 19p/yr.[/color]
B. Already approaching 19 pounds a year in the United States, the National Pasta Association predicts that per-capita consumption of pasta will reach 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century. --
Incorrectly worded sentence..Here the " National Pasta Association " seems to modify "approaching 19 pounds a year in the United States"
C. The National Pasta association predicts by the twenty-first century that per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, which is already approaching 19 pounds a year, will reach 30 pounds a year. ---
Meaning changes here "National Pasta association predicts" by the" twenty-first century" is not the intended meaning.D. By the twenty-first century, the National Pasta Association predicts that per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States, having already approached 19 pounds a year, will reach 30 pounds a year. ---
Same error as aboveE. According to the National Pasta Association, per-capita consumption of pasta in the United States is already approaching 19 pounds a year and will reach 30 pounds a year by the twenty-first century. --
Perfectly worded