Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.

In 1952, Dwight Eisenhower was elected President of the United States, he won 55% of the vote.

Rationale

Winning is the best option to connect the two independent clauses in the sentence.

Using "winning" as a participial phrase effectively conveys the simultaneous action of Eisenhower being elected and winning the vote, creating a smoother sentence structure. This choice emphasizes the result of the election without creating a comma splice or requiring additional conjunctions.

A (he won) YOUR ANSWER

This option creates a comma splice, joining two independent clauses without a proper conjunction. The sentence would be grammatically incorrect, as it lacks the necessary connection between the two ideas.

B (he had won) YOUR ANSWER

While this choice is grammatically correct, it introduces the past perfect tense, which suggests a sequence of events that is unnecessary in this context. The sentence simply needs to convey the simultaneous nature of his election and the percentage of votes received, making this option less effective.

C (with winning) YOUR ANSWER

This phrase is awkward and does not fit well within the sentence structure. It would require additional rephrasing to sound natural, thus complicating the sentence unnecessarily. The simpler participial form "winning" is more fluid.

D (winning) CORRECT

This option serves as a participial phrase that succinctly connects the two clauses, indicating that Eisenhower's election and his 55% vote share occurred concurrently. It enhances the readability and flow of the sentence without introducing grammatical errors.

Conclusion

In this sentence, "winning" is the most effective choice to connect the independent clauses, emphasizing the relationship between Eisenhower's election and the percentage of votes he received. The other options either create grammatical issues or complicate the structure unnecessarily. Using a participial phrase enhances clarity and coherence, making it the best fit for the sentence.