Writing Q

<p>An artist who explores Mexican cultural themes, the art of Maria Elena is world renowned.</p>

<p>Correct Answer:
Maria Elena is a world renowned artist whose art explores Mexican cultural themes.</p>

<hr>

<p>I know that the answer is grammatically correct but doesn't it change the meaning of the sentence? The original sentence explains how her ART is world renowned but the answer says how MARIA is world renowned...</p>

<p>Am I over thinking??</p>

<p>You’re overthinking a bit. The original sentence also says that her art is an artist; are we to assume that as well?</p>

<p>Also this one:</p>

<p>Because many Szechuan recipes require that one cook without interruption, it is a good idea to measure all ingredients in advance.</p>

<p>That is the correct answer but shouldn’t “cook” be “cooks”?</p>

<p>No, the subjunctive mood is required there. For example:</p>

<p>“I recommend that he move the table tennis field.”</p>

<p>“They demanded that she rewind the thermometer.”</p>

<p>“The pen required that it hold graphite, not lead.”</p>

<p>As a general rule of thumb, whenever you see the word “that,” look out for subjunctive. I know I may be overgeneralizing quite a bit, but “that” is the best trigger word that you have for subjunctive. If you take French, almost all the phrases (“Il faut que…,” “Je suis hereux que,” “Il vaut mieux que…”) that require subjunctive have “que” in them–meaning “that.” </p>

<p>Another clue to look for subjunctive is this sentence structure:</p>

<p>Subject 1+verb+that+Subject 2 (different from Subject 1)+verb in subjunctive…</p>

<p>Subjunctive is not commonly used in English, but using it makes you sound smart (and correct at the same time).</p>

<p>^ You’re way overgeneralizing. Most of the time, that does not signal the subjunctive.</p>

<p>Well, it’s the best clue anyone really can get without learning the various cases in which (during which?) to use subjunctive (Wishing, Wanting, Doubting, Fearing, etc.)</p>

<p>I am thinking the same. I have one more question about that sentence. In the original sentence, the artist explores the Mexican cultural themes. But in the correct answer, the art explores the Mexican cultural themes.</p>

<p>^Yeah, the first sentence is immediately wrong because Maria must come after the comma.</p>

Here the word “should” is implied. The whole sentence would be: “Because Szechuan many recipes require that one (SHOULD) cook without interruptions,…”. When there are words like “require, recommend, suggest, demand” etc. before the clause, the word “should” can be omitted.

Please use old threads only for research.