708. The Coast guard is conducting tests to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find survivors of wrecks at sea.
(A) to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find
(B) to see whether pigeons can be trained as help to find
(C) to see if pigeons can be trained for helping to find
(D) that see if pigeons are able to be trained in helping to find
(E) that see whether pigeons are able to be trained for help in finding
Solution:
OG Solution:
Choice A, the best answer, idiomatically expresses the idea of purpose by using the infinitives to see and to help: the purpose of the tests is to see whether pigeons can be trained, and the purpose of training them is to help find survivors. The other choices all produce constructions that are used unidiomatically with trained: as help to find in B,/or helping to find in C, in helping to find in D, and/or help in finding in E. In C and D, whether would be preferable to i/in presenting the situation as possible rather than conditional or hypothetical. In D and E, tests that see is imprecise, because it is the Coast Guard that will see whether pigeons can be trained.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
(A) to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find
(B) to see whether pigeons can be trained as help to find
(C) to see if pigeons can be trained for helping to find
(D) that see if pigeons are able to be trained in helping to find
(E) that see whether pigeons are able to be trained for help in finding
Solution:
OG Solution:
Choice A, the best answer, idiomatically expresses the idea of purpose by using the infinitives to see and to help: the purpose of the tests is to see whether pigeons can be trained, and the purpose of training them is to help find survivors. The other choices all produce constructions that are used unidiomatically with trained: as help to find in B,/or helping to find in C, in helping to find in D, and/or help in finding in E. In C and D, whether would be preferable to i/in presenting the situation as possible rather than conditional or hypothetical. In D and E, tests that see is imprecise, because it is the Coast Guard that will see whether pigeons can be trained.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution: