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When I saw a pyramid with my own eyes, I couldn’t help wondering how many years it took to build it and how many people had to work as slaves.

Clive · Accepted Answer

CalifJim · Answer

teacherJapan When I saw a pyramid with my own eyes, I couldn’t help wondering how many years it took to build it and how many people had to work as slaves.

The underlined portion seems to wander away from the pyramid. Unanchored to the pyramid, it becomes a general question that might apply to slavery worldwide (How many people have ever and anywhere had to work as slaves?).

That can be solved by adding on it or there before the final as slaves, thus:

... had to work on it as slaves. / ... had to work there as slaves.

Nevertheless, I think I'd opt for one of the following.

I couldn't help wondering how many years and how many slaves it took to build.
I couldn't help wondering how many years, not to mention how many slaves, it took to build.
I couldn't help wondering how many years it took to build — and how many slaves.

CJ

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