The herbicide Oryzalin was still being produced in 1979, three years after the wives of workers producing the chemical in Rensselaer, New York, were found to have borne children with heart defects or miscarriages, and none of their pregnancies was normal. 


(A) to have borne children with heart defects or miscarriages, and none of their pregnancies was 

(B) to have had children born with heart defects or miscarriages, and none of the pregnancies was 

(C) either to have had children with heart defects or miscarriages, without any of their pregnancies being 

(D) either to have had miscarriages or to have borne children with heart defects; none of the pregnancies was 

(E) either to have had miscarriages or children born with heart defects, without any of their pregnancies being


This question is based on Pronoun Usage and Construction. 


The placement of the phrase “with heart defects or miscarriages” causes a meaning and pronoun reference error in Option A. For one thing, it is not the children who had miscarriages. For another, the placement of the pronoun ‘their’ after the phrase “children with heart defects or miscarriages” conveys the meaning that it was the children who were pregnant. So, Option A can be eliminated.


Option B is not much better, though there are a few changes in this option. However, this option also conveys the meaning that children were born with miscarriages, a phrase that is illogical. So, Option B can also be eliminated. 


Option C repeats the error of meaning in Options A and B. In this option again, the pronoun ‘their’ is ambiguous. So, Option C can also be eliminated.


In Option E, the pronoun ‘their’ is ambiguous, as it is not clear whose pregnancies are referred to. So, Option E can also be eliminated.


Option D is slightly longer than the other options, but the meaning is clear. This option also avoids the pronoun error. Therefore, D is the most appropriate option.