Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
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Mohit Koladia
Hi Mike,
Just to add here, i think between A and C there is difference in saying "Surpassed only" and "only Surpassed"... Do you think i am right on track here?
Hi Mohit! Yes, there is a difference between "surpassed only" and "only surpassed" in what the phrases modify. The word "only" in the phrase "surpassed only" modifies the diseases that come after it -- "heart disease and cancer".
However, "only surpassed" would modify "surpassed" first. It's important to note, though, that this difference isn't a big one, and it isn't the best reason to eliminate choice C: we eliminate choice C because it is wordier and more awkward than choice A.
2 Explanations