Successive modifiers

[sudhansu9dm]

Initially developed by Willard Libby and his colleagues, a technique called radiocarbon dating, which can determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, has become an indispensable tool used by archaeologists, geologists, and geophysicists.


(A) Initially developed by Willard Libby and his colleagues, a technique called radiocarbon dating, which can determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years,


(B) Initially developed by Willard Libby and his colleagues, having the ability to determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, a technique called radiocarbon dating


(C) A technique initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues, called radiocarbon dating, which can determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years,


(D) A technique initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues, called radiocarbon dating, which has the ability to determine the age of organic materials and for up to about 60,000 years,


(E) A technique that was initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues and has the ability to determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, called radiocarbon dating,

OA: A

Answer says, the structures of choices C, D, and E are illogical because they split up the subject; called radio carbon dating should immediately follow a technique because this is the entire subject.

I am not sure that I understand the rule above. Can any instructor throw more light onto it?

[rajanbond]

Initially developed by Willard Libby and his colleagues, a technique called radiocarbon dating, which can determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, has become an indispensable tool used by archaeologists, geologists, and geophysicists.


(A) Initially developed by Willard Libby and his colleagues, a technique called radiocarbon dating, which can determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years,


(B) Initially developed by Willard Libby and his colleagues, having the ability to determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, a technique called radiocarbon dating


(C) A technique initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues, called radiocarbon dating, which can determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years,


(D) A technique initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues, called radiocarbon dating, which has the ability to determine the age of organic materials and for up to about 60,000 years,


(E) A technique that was initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues and has the ability to determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, called radiocarbon dating,

OA: A
I am not sure that I understand the rule above. Can any instructor throw more light onto it?

Answer says, the structures of choices C, D, and E are illogical because they split up the subject; called radio carbon dating should immediately follow a technique because this is the entire subject.

Let's break this sentence down

Initially developed (The modifier should tell you what was developed), BINGO! a technique- so far so good. Any other issues so far- NONE. tense is fine too
A technique is followed by its name- - correct

if this were not followed by its name

Should have been something like

A technique, ....., is called

Let's look at C
A technique initially developed- This is the problem . A technique and initially developed need to be joined by a that/which. Also, the subject is split up. You want to keep the entire subject A technique called... together as much as possible.

Similar issue with D

Let's look at E

A technique that was initially developed by William Libby and his colleagues and has the ability to determine the age of organic materials up to about 60,000 years, (so far this is fine) called radiocarbon dating, This is like a run-on or illogical construction. If it had been something like- is calledthat would have made more sense.

Please let me know if the explanation is correct