(A) were influential on generations of bluegrass artists, was also an inspiration to many musicians, that included Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia, whose music differed significantly from
(B) influenced generations of bluegrass artists, also inspired many musicians, including Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia, whose music differed significantly from
(C) was influential to generations of bluegrass artists, was also inspirational to many musicians, that included Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia, whose music was different significantly in comparison to
(D) was influential to generations of bluegrass artists, also inspired many musicians, who included Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia, the music of whom differed significantly when compared to
(E) were an influence on generations of bluegrass artists, was also an inspiration to many musicians, including Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia, whose music was significantly different from that of
Solution:
Subject-verb Agreement*
“repertory, views on musical collaboration, and vocal style” is plural. Hence, C and D can be eliminated for the use of ‘was’ for the same.
E is wordy due to unnecessary use of “that of”.
A is indirect and awkward in the use of “were influential on”.
B is concise and has the correct structure as it uses a were for “whose repertory, views on musical collaboration, and vocal style” and conserves a ‘was’ for Bill Monroe.
Hence, B is the best choice.
OG Solution:
B, the best choice, is idiomatic, clear, and without agreement errors or redundancy. In A and E, the phrases were influential on and were an influence on are not idiomatic and furthermore could be replaced by the more direct influenced. In A, that included Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia improperly modifies many musicians. In E, the construction different from that of his own is confusing since there is no referent for that: different from his own makes a logical comparison. Both C and D begin with the singular was; the compound subject of this verb is plural: repertory, views on musical collaboration, and vocal style. Both choices also may be faulted for wordiness and redundancy in their use of was different significantly in comparison to and differed significantly when compared to. In C, that included Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia improperly modifies many musicians. Finally, the music of whom in D is cumbersome and stilted.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
