2012-02-28 09:00:51

Having won the popular vote but not the electoral college vote, Jackson became bitter, as he had become convinced that the election had been but a sham.

(A) as he had become convinced that the election had been but a sham.
(B) this was because he became convinced the election had been a sham.
(C) but convinced had he become that the election was a sham.
(D) he was convinced the election had been a sham.
(E) due to his conviction that the election were but a sham.

The correct answer is A

Explanation: There is no mistake in the sentence. This is confirmed by looking at the answer choices.

(B) is wrong because it would create a run-on, as it would link two independent clauses using a comma alone.

(C) is wrong because it contains an improper conjunction. “But” is used to introduce contradictory elements of a sentence, but the two clauses in this sentence flow into each other and do not contrast one another.

(D) is wrong because it would create a run-on, as it would link two independent clauses using a comma alone.

(E) is wrong because it contains a verb error. The plural verb “were” does not agree with its singular subject, “his conviction,” in number.