Question

(1) Long ago, the Everglades were a broad expanse of shallow water covering the southern tip of Florida. (2) Over the years, however, land development has reduced the Everglades to less than half its original size. (3) In fact, development and the resulting growth in the human population have interfered with the natural water flow of the Everglades. (4) To correct this problem and others, environmentalists are trying to help restore the Everglades. (5) The restoration process has not always gone smoothly. (6) Legal battles between a company and the state of Florida are posing obstacles to the process.

Which is the most effective way to invert sentence 6 in order to vary sentence patterns?


Between a company and the state of Florida, legal battles are posing obstacles to the process.


Posing obstacles to the process are legal battles between a company and the state of Florida.


Legal battles posing obstacles to the process are between a company and the state of Florida.


Battling legal obstacles to this process are a company and the state of Florida.

Answer 1

"Posing obstacles to the process are legal battles between a company and the state of Florida."

This version correctly inverts the subject and predicate for variety, keeps the original meaning, and reads naturally. Options 3 and 4 are awkward or change the meaning.