Question

Which revision to sentence 3 expresses the idea more concisely by incorporating a gerund phrase as the subject of the sentence?
A. Avoid negative energy levels, concentration, and grades with a healthy breakfast.
B. Energy levels, concentration, and grades can be negatively affected if you do not eat a healthy breakfast.
C. Energy levels, concentration, and grades are reduced by missing a healthy breakfast.
D. Skipping a healthy breakfast can negatively affect energy levels, concentration, and grades.


(1) Do you always eat breakfast? (2) Studies show that up to one-third of teenagers skip the meal. (3) If you don’t eat a healthy breakfast, there can be negative effects on energy levels, concentration, and grades. (4) In addition, the hunger that sets in later in the day can lead to a person cramming snacks full of saturated fats.

Answer 1

D. "Skipping a healthy breakfast..." is a gerund phrase used as the subject and is the most concise choice. The others are awkward or passive and do not place a gerund phrase in subject position.