correct sentence grammar

Question

Nuclear fusion is the force that powers the Sun, the stars, and hydrogen bombs, merging the nuclei of atoms and not splitting them apart, as in nuclear reactors.

C) merging the nuclei of atoms rather than splitting them apart, as nuclear reactors do.

E) and merges the nuclei of atoms, unlike atomic reactors that split them apart.

Which is the correct sentence from C and E to replace the underlined one?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Nuclear fusion is the force that powers the Sun, the stars, and hydrogen bombs, merging the nuclei of atoms and not splitting them apart, as in nuclear reactors. You forgot the underlining. I hope that I have added it correctly.

I don't like this sentence much. It leaves me wondering if 'as in nuclear reactors' applies to 'merging the nuclei of atoms and not splitting them apart', or just to 'not splitting them apart'. The answers seem to assume that the latter is the meaning, so I'll assume that as well.

C) merging the nuclei of atoms rather than splitting them apart, as nuclear reactors do.

E) and merges the nuclei of atoms, unlike atomic reactors that split them apart.

Which is the correct sentence from C and E to replace the underlined one?

C) Nuclear fusion is the force that powers the Sun, the stars, and hydrogen bombs, merging the nuclei of atoms rather than splitting them apart, as nuclear reactors do. This seems OK, although I'd omit the final comma.

E) Nuclear fusion is the force that powers the Sun, the stars, and hydrogen bombs, and merges the nuclei of atoms, unlike atomic reactors that split them apart. This seems OK, too, but it doesn't suggest as strongly that the 'powering', 'merging' and 'not splitting' are at the same time.

So, I prefer C to E.

Best wishes, Clive

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