(A) The United States petroleum industry’s cost to meet environmental regulations is projected at ten percent of the price per barrel of refined petroleum by the end of the decade.
(B) The United States petroleum industry’s cost by the end of the decade to meet environmental regulations is estimated at ten percent of the price per barrel of refined petroleum.
(C) By the end of the decade, the United States petroleum industry’s cost of meeting environmental regulations is projected at ten percent of the price per barrel of refined petroleum.
(D) To meet environmental regulations, the cost to the United States petroleum industry is estimated at ten percent of the price per barrel of refined petroleum by the end of the decade.
(E) It is estimated that by the end of the decade the cost to the United States petroleum industry of meeting environmental regulations will be ten percent of the price per barrel of refined petroleum.
Solution:
Idioms + Modifier + Tense
In A, “end of decade” incorrectly modifies “refined petroleum”. Furthermore “projected” is inappropriate here and hence, “estimated” must be used.
In B, “the end of the decade to meet” is awkward.
In C, the use of “projected” is inappropriate. “By the end… regulations is regulated” is wrong tense.
In D, “end of decade” incorrectly modifies “refined petroleum”.
In E, “cost of x to y” is idiomatic. “It is estimated that by the end…will be 10 percent…” rectifies the tense problem with D. Hence, E is the best choice.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
