Hi magnetronclassic,
About SC, I found that Manhattan is a great book(No question on it). I couldn't even understand
OG's explanation for the first time, so I started with Manhattan to get a firm ground of SC. After that
OG's explanation does not look that esoteric.
However, Manhattan provides us with a good foundation, but not enough to jump exceptions/more advanced level.
Manhattan does not say anything about participle, gerund, and a comma splice. Another one is a modifier. although Manhattan comments about a regular modifier, but no comment on 'resumptive or summative modifier' you see these types. Two options are absolutely free of grammar error, but one use 'which'
relative pronoun, the other is using a resumptive modifier. etc
then how do I tell which one is better than the other?
It seems that these many subtle difference makes a good divider that who gets 700+ in terms of SC.
Since you have a master of SC, please expose yourself to sub-forum to meet odd/subtle questions and to see how other participants see this. It helps me tremendously.
Another one for SC is brutal SC. I think you can download from esnsips..
(I think that effective-factor in SC section posted it in the tread)
Delve into 1)
relative pronoun 2)
ellipsis 3) participles 4) meaning.
Without considering the meaning of what the author intended to deliver, grammartical error has a limitation to pick best answer.
approach the questions with a) grammatical error b) meaning.
One thing that I always remind of myself 'who does what' and then 'why, when, how' I know it is very simple. it helps me figure the intended meaning.
Good luck to you!
Mitzi