(A) in attributing criminal or delinquent behavior to some food allergy
(B) if criminal or delinquent behavior is attributed to an allergy to some food
(C) in attributing behavior that is criminal or delinquent to an allergy to some food
(D) if some food allergy is attributed as the cause of criminal or delinquent behavior
(E) in attributing a food allergy as the cause of criminal or delinquent behavior
Solution:
Idiom**
Attribute “effect to cause” is the correct usage. Cause is ‘food allergy’ and effect is “criminal or delinquent behavior”.
Hence, D and E can be eliminated as they use construction “cause to effect”.
“in attributing…” in A, C, and E is modifying “the perpetrators”, leading to an awkward meaning.
Thus, B is the best choice.
OG Solution:
In choices A, C, and E, in attributing ... behavior modifies the perpetrators, producing the illogical statement that the perpetrators rather than the defense attorneys are attributing behavior to food allergies. Choice C is also wordy, and attributing ... as is unidiomatic in E. In the correct form of the expression, one attributes x, an effect, to y, a cause; or, if a passive construction is used, x is attributed to y. D avoids the initial modification error by using a passive construction (in which the attributors are not identified), but attributed x as the cause of y is unidiomatic. Choice B is best.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
