Which sentence demonstrates the most concise, active academic style free of redundant nominalizations?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The researchers analyzed the water samples to measure trace heavy metals
- Step 1: Nominalization turns strong verbs into heavy abstract nouns ('performed an analysis' instead of 'analyzed').
- Step 2: Direct active verbs produce clearer, more authoritative prose.
- Step 3: 'The researchers analyzed the water samples to measure trace heavy metals' expresses the complete action concisely in active voice.
Answer
The researchers analyzed the water samples to measure trace heavy metals.
Why not the others: The remaining choices suffer from bureaucratic padding, passive voice, and redundant prepositional phrases.
Practise more Grammar, Syntax, and Sentence Structure.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Kuwait University Aptitude Tests (KUAT) mock tests.
More Grammar, Syntax, and Sentence Structure questions
- Choose the sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement:
- Identify the sentence containing a misplaced modifier error:
- Select the option that correctly uses the subjunctive mood in formal English:
- Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure:
- Identify the grammatically correct sentence involving pronoun case:
- Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to connect independent clauses: