<p>Although fascinated by chance and coincidence, [Paul Austers novels are written] with careful attention to style and balance.
(A) Paul Austers novels are written<br>
(B) Paul Austers novels were written<br>
(C) Paul Auster writes his novels<br>
(D) Paul Auster is a writer<br>
(E) Paul Auster had wrote </p>
<p>The answer is C, and I got it wrong b/c I chose D.
The online explanation on CB website says that D is wrong because the “with” phrase should not modify the “writer” as an adjective phrase; rather, it says, the phrase should modify how Paul Auster “writes” as an adverbial phrase.</p>
<p>To me, a “writer with careful attention to style and balance” makes total sense. Plus, option D makes the whole sentence shorter, if not more concise. And as a last little tidbit, I feel that it is wrong to put the verb “write” as the main verb of the sentence when the whole sentence is focused on Paul Auster as a person (see the “Although” phrase).</p>
<p>Thanx in advance and sorry for having so many questions lol ;)</p>
<p>The phrase “with careful attention to style and balance” applies to something that Paul Auster does.</p>
<p>I suppose you can try to apply the phrase to Paul the person, perhaps in the same vain as “Paul is a gentleman with good manners.” or perhaps “Paul is a gentleman and a writer with good manners.” or even “Paul is a gentleman with careful attention to style and balance.” or even the sentence with choice (D).</p>
<p>So how do we know that the style and balance applies to Paul’s writing? Perhaps it applies to the manner in which Paul dresses and behaves. So while (D) may in fact lead to a correct description of Paul and is therefore a “correct” sentence, (D) loses the intended meaning – which is to characterize Paul’s writing style.</p>
<p>@fogcity,
thank you so much; ur explanation makes total sense. I see that u’r trying to explain how D does make a grammatically correct sentence, but is wrong b/c it changes the original meaning.</p>
<p>@realityisadream,
hehe thanx for thinking of helping anyways</p>
thanx for thinking of helping anyways</p>