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238. According to a recent study by Rutgers University, the number of women in state legislatures has grown in every election since 1968.
(A) the number of women in state legislatures has grown
(B) the number of women who are in state legislatures have grown
(C) there has been growth in the number of women in state legislatures
(D) a growing number of women have been in state legislatures
(E) women have been growing in number in state legislatures
Choice A is best. The singular verb has agrees with the subject of the clause, the number. Moreover, A conveys the intended meaning concisely and unambiguously. In B, the grammatical subject of the clause is the number, not women, and so a singular verb is required--has rather than have. The phrase who are is unnecessary; it could be omitted without affecting the meaning of the sentence. In C, the use of the wordy passive construction there has been growth in for has grown is awkward and does not contribute to the meaning of the sentence. In D, a... number of women means a group of women, whereas the... number of women refers to an exact figure; the illogical suggestion is that a group of women has already been in place in every election, rather than that their total has grown as a result of each election. Choice E may be faulted for the awkwardness of in number in state legislatures in every election, as well as for weakening clarity by separating the modifying phrase in state legislatures from women.
In B, the phrase who are is unnecessary; it could be omitted without affecting the meaning of the sentence.
Can someone tell me when to or not to use "who"?
谢谢! | 
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发表于 2004-11-4 05:17:00
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