2. Of all the vast tides of migration that have swept through history, maybe none is more concentrated as the wave that brought 12 million immigrants onto American shores in little more than three decades.
(A) maybe none is more concentrated as
(B) it may be that none is more concentrated as
(C) perhaps it is none that is more concentrated than
(D) maybe it is none that was more concentrated than
(E) perhaps none was more concentrated than
Idiom + Verb form
This sentence depends on the comparative structure x is more than y. Here, an idiomatically incorrect construction x (none) is more as y (the wave) is used. In addition, the second part of the sentence uses the past tense verb brought, indication that the event is over. The verb used in the comparative construction must also be past tense, x (none) was more concentrated than y (the wave). Maybe and perhaps are interchangeable; perhaps is slightly more formal.
A In correct idiom is used for comparison; is concentrated is the wrong tense
B In correct idiom is used for comparison; it may be that is wordy
C It is none that is more… is a wordy and ungrammatical construction
D It is none that is more… is a wordy and ungrammatical construction
E Correct. The correct comparative construction is used in this sentence; the verb is past tense.
The correct answer is E. |