A verb form question with paired actions tests whether both actions use the same structure. Find the subject and main verb: who or what the sentence is about, and what they do or are. Then ask what the joining words connect: whole clauses, with their own subjects and verbs, or actions sharing a subject. Joined actions need matching forms, and a shared helper must work with each. A form that works alone may break the pattern when joined to another.
Hints
- Hint 1
The sentence opens with a reason introduced by Because. Set that part aside, then look at the words after advocates believe.
- Hint 2
What do not only and but also join? Look for the form of the first action.
- Hint 3
Check which words apply to both actions. Read from it will through the blank and ask how far the subject and helper reach.
Step-by-step
Match the paired actions
Step 1Set aside the opening reason
The opening Because gives the reason for the advocates' belief, so set that part aside. Where does the blank belong? It comes after advocates believe and is part of what the advocates believe. For this verb form question, we need the subject and verb after believe, not the verbs in the opening reason.
- Step 2
Find the subject and helper
In it will not only save consumers money, the subject is it, referring to the policy, and the main verb is save, with will as its helper. Can the sentence add another action? Yes, because but also joins actions in a pair. Joined actions can share a subject and helper.
- Step 3
Match the verb forms
What form does the first action use? The first half of not only save consumers money but also begins with save, a plain verb form. Paired actions need matching forms, and will takes the plain form. The to improve public health version would give us will to improve, while improving public health would give us will improving. A to form or an -ing form can't directly follow the helper will.
- Step 4
Complete the second action
The phrase it will improve public health repeats a subject and helper after but also. Does that match the first half? The first half, not only save consumers money, gives only an action, so the second half must also be an action. The phrase improve public health does that without repeating the shared subject and helper. Choice D.