Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:
The suddenness with which the issue escalated (1)/ took not only the negotiators but also the observers (2)/ by surprise who were expecting (3)/ a gradual resolution process. (4)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. (3).
What is wrong: The relative pronoun 'who' is incorrectly placed after the noun 'surprise.'
Grammar Concept: A Relative Pronoun (like who, which, that) must be placed immediately after the noun or pronoun it modifies (its antecedent) to ensure the sentence is logical and clear.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: In the given sentence, 'who' refers to the 'negotiators and observers,' not the 'surprise.' By placing 'who' after 'surprise,' the sentence grammatically implies that the surprise itself was expecting a resolution, which is illogical.
Correction: The segment should be rearranged so that the relative clause follows the people it describes. Thus, it should be: '...took by surprise not only the negotiators but also the observers, who were expecting a gradual resolution process.'
Correct phrase: by surprise, who were expecting (placed after observers).
Final sentence: The suddenness with which the issue escalated took by surprise not only the negotiators but also the observers, who were expecting a gradual resolution process.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.