Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below or part thereof has been underlined. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or diction. Select the option that best corrects the error, if any.

The voluminous personal papers of Thomas Alva Edison reveal that his inventions typically sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly from previous works.

  1. sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly

  2. sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but were slowly evolved

  3. did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly

  4. did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but had slowly evolved

  5. had not sprang to life in a flash of inspiration

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (E)is incomplete and (B) not  supporting the verb subject agreement so both can be eliminated.  Options (A) and (C) have 'had' in the last part of the sentence, hence, the complete meaning does not evolve, so (D) is the answer.

Keep practicing — related questions