Quick English Question

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>Ok, I am confused on this english question that I found in my ACT prep book.</p>

<p>The sentence is:</p>

<p>Although many workplaces have become more flexible, in the nineties women still must choose between ahving a serious career or having a family. </p>

<p>My book says that the statement “or having a family” should be changed to “or a family.” However, while I understand this is true, isn’t the it also true that the actual phrase in the sentence is also correct. If someone can explain this to me I’d appreciate it!</p>

<p>THANKS for your time!
-Also sorry I couldn’t make this easier to undestand… I was having problems making the question unlined like it is in the book, so I had to describe the error.</p>

2

<p>first rule of ACT english: shorter is (nearly) always better. Ignore the first clause and non-important words and then say the sentence outloud.</p>

<p>Thus, you would say:
…women must choose between having a career or family.</p>

<p>Not:
…women must choose between having a career or having a family.</p>

<p>Is the latter grammatically incorrect? technically, no. But, it is not as short and sweet as the also gramattically correct former statement, which is the better, or preferred answer, since the second use of the word ‘having’ is redundant.</p>

3

<p>I think what’s wrong with that sentence is that she should choose between having a career AND having a family, not or.</p>

4

<p>^^negative. It’s an either/or idiom…</p>

5

<p>Somebody I Googled did research on this: “and” is at least better, if not the only way:</p>

<p>[Google</a> Answers: English grammar: Usage of the preposition “between”](<a href=“Google Answers: English grammar: Usage of the preposition "between"”>Google Answers: English grammar: Usage of the preposition "between")</p>

6

<p>It basically comes down to the idea of redundancy… too many… “havings” ACT hates being redundant.</p>

7

<p>^^ thats wat i was thinking, don’t repeat the word having twice</p>