Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library
Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library
Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library
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Idiom & Usage 159<br />
4. Due to the chemical spill, the commute into the city will be delayed by as<br />
much as 2 hours.<br />
(A) Due to the chemical spill, the commute into the city will be delayed<br />
by as much as 2 hours.<br />
(B) The reason that the commute into the city will be delayed by as much<br />
as 2 hours is because of the chemical spill.<br />
(C) Due to the chemical spill, the commute into the city had been delayed<br />
by as much as 2 hours.<br />
(D) Because of the chemical spill, the commute into the city will be<br />
delayed by as much as 2 hours.<br />
(E) The chemical spill will be delaying the commute into the city by as<br />
much as 2 hours.<br />
Choice (A) is incorrect. Although many educated writers and<br />
speakers begin sentences with due to, it is almost always incorrect.<br />
Choice (B) is incorrect: it is both redundant and awkward.<br />
Choice (C) is incorrect. The past perfect had been delayed<br />
implies the delay no longer exists. Hence, the meaning of the<br />
sentence has been changed.<br />
Choice (D) is correct. In general, due to should not be used as<br />
a substitute for because of, owing to, by reason of, etc.<br />
Choice (E) is incorrect. The future progressive will be delaying<br />
is unnecessary and ponderous. Had choice (E) used the simple<br />
future will delay, it would have been better that choice (D) because<br />
then it would be more direct and active.
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