参考OG257 257. The direction in which the Earth and the other solid planets --Mercury, Venus, and Mars -- spins were determined from collisions with giant celestial bodies in the early history of the Solar System. (A) spins were determined from (B) spins were determined because of (C) spins was determined through (D) spin was determined by (E) spin was determined as a result of D, the best choice, is clear and concise, and uses correct subject-verb agreement. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they use the singular verb spins for the plural subject Earth and the other solid planets--Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Choices A and B furthermore incorrectly use the plural were, which does not agree with the singular subject The direction. To express cause, determined by is idiomatic; the prepositions from and through in A and C are not idiomatic. The phrase determined because of in B is redundant. In E, the phrase determined as a result of is redundant, awkward, and unidiomatic. |