Question

Select the best sentence from among the given choices. (A) The emphasis of your plan will differing depending on your goal, of course. (B) The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of coarse. (C) The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of course. (D) The emphasis of your plan will differ depend on your goal, of course.

Short answer

The correct sentence is (C) The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of course.

Step-by-step solution

Read all options carefully

Start by reading all the given sentence options to understand the context and possible errors.

Identify and eliminate sentences with errors

Look for grammatical errors, typos, or misplaced phrases in each option and eliminate those. (A) The emphasis of your plan will differing depending on your goal, of course. - "differing" should be "differ" (grammatical error) (B) The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of coarse. - "coarse" should be "course" (typo) (C) The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of course. - This sentence seems to be correct. (D) The emphasis of your plan will differ depend on your goal, of course. - "depend" should be "depending" (grammatical error)

Choose the best sentence

After eliminating incorrect sentences, there should be one option remaining that has no errors. The correct sentence is: (C) The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of course.

Key concepts

Pronoun Usage

Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns and their correct usage is crucial for clear communication. In English, pronouns help to avoid the repetition of nouns and make sentences less cumbersome. For example, instead of repeating "the plan" in every sentence, you could use "it," assuming the plan is clear from the context.
Pronouns must match the noun they replace in gender, number, and case. If you use the wrong pronoun, it can lead to confusion. Let's consider a few tips to ensure proper pronoun use:

• Ensure agreement in number: If your noun is singular, your pronoun must also be singular, and the same applies to plural nouns.
• Consider the case: Use subject pronouns when the pronoun is the subject of the verb (e.g., he, she, they). Use object pronouns when it serves as the object (e.g., him, her, them).
• Clarify the reference: Make it clear what noun your pronoun is replacing so the reader follows easily.

Remember, in sentences like "The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal," you might use pronouns to replace repetitive nouns in context.

Sentence Structure

Sentence structure refers to the way words are organized and arranged in a sentence. This can affect the clarity and flow of the sentence. A well-structured sentence enhances readability and delivers a clear message. There are several basic types of sentence structures:

• Simple Sentences: These contain a subject and a verb and express a complete thought (e.g., "The plan changes.").
• Compound Sentences: These join two simple sentences, using conjunctions like "and" or "but" (e.g., "The plan changes, and the emphasis will differ.").
• Complex Sentences: Incorporating dependent clauses, they use conjunctions like "because" and "although" (e.g., "The plan will change because the goals differ.").

In our exercise, sentences need to follow proper grammatical structure to convey precise meaning. For example, in sentence "The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of course," the use of dependent clause "depending on your goal" helps connect and elaborate the main idea, which is essential for complex thought expression.

Syntax Errors

Syntax relates to the rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language. Syntax errors occur when these rules are violated, potentially leading to misunderstandings. In the original exercise, identifying syntax errors is critical to selecting the correct sentence. Common syntax errors include:

• Incorrect verb tense or form, as seen in "The emphasis of your plan will differing," where "differing" should be "differ."
• Mismatched sentence parts, such as mixing active and passive voices improperly, or connecting clauses inappropriately.
• Misplaced modifiers, where descriptive words or phrases are incorrectly positioned in the sentence, altering or confusing meaning.

To avoid syntax errors, carefully arrange words and phrases to follow standard grammatical conventions. In the correct sentence "The emphasis of your plan will differ depending on your goal, of course," the syntax follows conventional patterns, ensuring the sentence reads smoothly and makes complete sense.