Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library

Idiom & Usage 153
Choice (C) changes the meaning of the sentence: the new
formulation states that war already existed in Europe while the
original sentence states that war was only developing.
Choice (E) is not parallel since the first two phrases in the series
are noun phrases, but saw the birth of the communication age is a
verb phrase. When a word introduces a series, each element of the
series must agree with the introductory word. You can test the
correctness of a phrase in a series by dropping the other phrases and
checking whether the remaining phrase agrees with the introductory
word. In this series, each phrase must be the object of the
preposition with:
This century began with war brewing in Europe
This century began with the industrial revolution well-established
This century began with saw the birth of the communication age
In this form, it is clear the verb saw cannot be the object of the
preposition with.
Choice (D) offers three phrases in parallel form. The answer is
(D).
3. It is often better to try repairing an old car than to junk it.
(A) to try repairing an old car than to junk it.
(B) to repair an old car than to have it junked.
(C) to try repairing an old car than to junking it.
(D) to try and repair an old car than to junk it.
(E) to try to repair an old car than to junk it.
Choice (A) is incorrect since the verb repairing is not parallel to the
verb junk.
In choice (B), the construction have it junked is awkward.
Further, it changes the original construction from active to passive.
Choice (C) offers a parallel construction (repairing/junking),
but it is awkward.
Choice (D) also offers a parallel construction (repair/junk), but
the construction try and is not idiomatic.
Choice (E) offers a parallel construction (repair/junk), and the
correct idiom—try to. The answer is (E).