<p>Although long considered a vestigial organ that has no function in humans, the appendix, some scientists believe, may have a significant role as part of the body’s immune system.
A. As it is
D. the appendix is believed by some scientists as perhaps having</p>
<p>Is choice D wrong because of the “perhaps”? If it were removed, would the sentence be correct?</p>
<p>Even if perhaps was to be removed from the sentence, it would still sound very awkwardly worded. Go simple! :)</p>
<p>I thought “perhaps” was added unnecessarily to the sentence, so it should be removed. But anyways, your explanation is not that convincing. Can you give me something more persuasive?
Should it be: “believed by some scientists to perhaps have a significant role…” rather than “believed by some scientists as perhaps having a significant role…”? thus making this an idiom usage error??
He is believed to possess supernatural powers.
We don’t say: He is believed as possessing supernatural powers.</p>
<p>Also, here’s another question (this one I found in an old thread in CC):
Today there is more violence (than there was in) the 1950s and 1960s, when guns were more difficult to obtain.
Answer: Should be “than in”.</p>
<p>I have a feeling both are correct, but “than in” may be preferred for its succinctness, nothing more. What do you think?</p>
<p>As for the first question, the idiomatic error you proposed sounds logical, but as I said in my first post you’re over-thinking this a lot. As for the second question, I had the same thought of both being correct, but the fact that choosing ‘than in’ as it is more succinct seems more favorable. Also it’s a direct comparison (using ‘more’) so i like to think of direct straightforward answers. Good luck :)</p>