Which sentence is grammatically correct?
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A
Maria planted a pear tree in her orchard of apple trees; it was small.
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B
The pear tree in Maria’s apple orchard was planted when it was small.
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C
Maria planted a small pear tree among the apple trees in her orchard.
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D
Having planted a small pear tree, apple trees grew in Maria’s orchard.
Sentence “Maria planted a small pear tree among the apple trees in her orchard.” is grammatically correct because it maintains logical chronology, active voice, and clear modifier relationships without creating absurd implications about tree growth.
A) Maria planted a pear tree in her orchard of apple trees; it was small.
Creates pronoun ambiguity—"it" could refer to pear tree (intended) or orchard (possible). Additionally, semicolon connection feels unnecessarily formal for this simple description.
B) The pear tree in Maria's apple orchard was planted when it was small.
Creates logical absurdity—"it" refers to the tree, but trees aren't "planted when small" as if they chose to be planted; passive voice obscures Maria's agency in planting.
C) Maria planted a small pear tree among the apple trees in her orchard.
Active voice with clear subject ("Maria") performing logical action ("planted") on appropriately modified object ("small pear tree"). Prepositional phrase "among the apple trees" precisely locates the planting without ambiguity.
D) Having planted a small pear tree, apple trees grew in Maria's orchard.
Creates a dangling modifier—suggests the apple trees (not Maria) performed the planting action. Participial phrase illogically attaches to "apple trees," implying they planted the pear tree themselves.
Conclusion
Clear sentences require logical modifier attachment, active voice where appropriate, and chronological coherence. Sentence C achieves all three by positioning Maria as active planter of a small pear tree within an existing apple orchard—without pronoun ambiguity, passive voice awkwardness, or modifier misattachment.