<p>Q: We have not yet been informed (concerning the one who broke the window.)
The part that is included in bracket needs to be fixed.
A) no error
B) about the identity of the individual who is responsible for breaking the window.
C) of the window-breaker
D) as to who broke the window
E)who broke the window </p>
<p>The correct answer is D. I know it seems to be the best choice, but can any of you guys kindly explain to me why? Much appreciated.</p>
<p>Wow, this is a hard question!
a) is incorrect because it is an improper idiom (you cannot inform concern someone)
b) is incorrect because it is considered “too wordy”
c) incorrect use of hyphenation? I assume. Normally one hyphenates words when they both express the same idea “fine-tune” expresses something that is fine and tuned. window and breaker is a noun phrase with a participle in it.
d) is correct (not sure why except it sounds right and all the other ones are incorrect)
e) you cannot “inform who” - needs a preposition</p>
<p>This is interesting. There isn’t much on “as to” when I googled it. Most sources say it’s awkward and unnecessary, but I couldn’t find any specific rule about it. My inner English geek says to rearrange the sentence like this:</p>
<p>As to who broke the window, we have not yet been informed. </p>
<p>That works, so it works the other way, too. Choice (E), the second best answer, does not work when rearranged:</p>
<p>Who broke the window we have not yet been informed.</p>
<p>When in doubt in SAT Writing, rearrange!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The hyphenation is fine; the problem is that the intention is to convey ignorance of the identity of the person who broke the window, which can be communicated through “of who the window-breaker is,” “of the identity of the window-breaker,” or “of who broke the window.” </p>
<p>On a visceral level, I agree with the grammarians who find “as to” to be ungainly, so none of the choices are very pleasing. Choice (D), though, would have been my choice if only because the awkwardness of using “as to” instead of “of” stands small against the wordiness of the only other reasonable choice, (B). Plus, choice (B) has the added problem of using the preposition “about,” which serves to indicate that what comes in the prepositional phrase is not precisely what they had not yet been informed of but merely the topic at hand. (For example, I become informed about frogs but I become informed of the fact that frogs can be green.)</p>
<p>Silverturtle I love your grammar guides!</p>
<p>What is the proper preposition for “inform” anyways?
I was trying to find this yesterday. All I can find is that ‘of’ tends to be used when conveying one simple thing whereas ‘about’ tends to be used when conveying broad knowledge-is this true?</p>