2012-04-10 09:00:01

Immediately after assuming the presidency, many in Lyndon Johnson’s inner circle were amazed at how presidential he had seemingly become in mere seconds, as though a spirit of leadership suddenly possessed him.

(A) many in Lyndon Johnson’s inner circle were amazed at how presidential he had seemingly become in mere seconds
(B) Lyndon Johnson amazed many in his inner circle by becoming so presidential in mere seconds
(C) many in Lyndon Johnson’s inner circle, amazed at how presidential he had seemingly become in mere seconds
(D) Lyndon Johnson, to many in his inner circle, amazed them by becoming so presidential in mere seconds
(E) Lyndon Johnson, amazing many in his inner circle in mere seconds by becoming so presidential

The correct answer is B

Explanation: As written, the sentence contains an introductory modifying error. The phrase “immediately after assuming the presidency” is a modifying phrase and, therefore, must be immediately followed by its subject. In this case, “many in Lyndon Johnson’s inner circle” cannot be the subject, since only one person can assume the presidency. Choice B corrects this error by placing “Lyndon Johnson,” the subject of the modifier, right after the comma.