Manhatten SC -Meaning clarification.

[jnelson0612]

Ill go with c, it is the perfect sentence that really make sense, some may also valid but more confusing though....

C is indeed the best of the bunch.

[mcmebk]

I might be wrong, but I have a feeling that when you use among/between + a pool of candidates, you are about to express a sense of comparison.

Among all the cities I went to, NYC is my favourite one. (I like NYC more than other cities.)

But if you only want to state a fact:

Among all the cities I went to, NYC is beautiful - I don't think this is correct, it seems to suggest that other cities are not beautiful, wouldn't it be better to say "NYC, which is one of the cities I have been to, is very beautiful."?

Similarly, in this question, if you use "Parada, among the most....", don't you think it seems to suggest that other stores with similar status did not surprise insiders by doing similar things?

Thank you.

[tim]

No, I don't think that at all. This is mainly because I recognize that there are multiple appropriate uses of the word "among". Once you realize this as well, you won't be likely to make the mistake of assuming there is an inherent comparison.

[tushaw]

.But i don't get what's wrong with the other part of the sentence "surprised many insiders in 2007" and modifier "moving its sneaker production overseas to Vietnam".

"-ing modifier" can suggest not only the result of the previous clause but also the way something is achieved in the previous clause-the way Prada surprised the insiders.

So can i understand the sentence as "Prada surprised many insiders in 2007 ,[by] moving its sneaker production overseas to Vietnam".

Please clarify as i have my exam in a week's time.

One of the issues here is that of the meaning. The placement of the modifier (prep phrase) in 2007 is incorrect. The movement of sneaker production to Vietnam took place in 2007 and this move might even surprise insiders in 2008 or 2009. The two events need not be contemporaneous.

I cannot see anything wrong with "Prada surprised many insiders, moving its sneaker production to Vietnam" but the use of "by" would make the sentence much clear. Can experts please comment on whether the above usage without the use of "by" is grammatically correct. Sounds a little awkward to me but cannot see anything grammatically incorrect.

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I have a question similar to the original post as I too don't see anything wrong with the comma+ing modifer. The explanation for choice B says The modifier "moving..." is also inappropriate. This modifier suggests that Prada moved its sneaker production as a proximate result of "surprising many insiders," or while in the midst of surprising many insiders - neither of which is a reasonable interpretation.

However, comma + ing does not have to always show the result of the previous clause. I thought comma + ing has to make logical connection with the clause preceding it. In choice B i see the logical connection: "Prada surprised many insiders", by "moving its sneaker production to Vietnam".

[RonPurewal]

In choice B i see the logical connection: "Prada surprised many insiders", by "moving its sneaker production to Vietnam".

Right, but you also have to think about the direction of the connection.
The overseas move is the main idea here; "surprise" is a description or result of that idea. If the sentence is written the wrong way, you're suggesting that Prada surprised the insiders in some unspecified way (say, by punching them in the ear) and then moved its factories to Vietnam as a result. Doesn't make sense.

Similarly:
I dropped the groceries onto the floor, scaring the baby.
--> Makes sense.
Dropped the groceries: main action
Scaring the baby: description / consequence

I scared the baby, dropping the groceries onto the floor.
--> Doesn't make sense.

Same deal here.