[Grammar] what a passage if generally about

[EUNJJUNG]

I'm reading "Style" by Joseph Williams. I have one question. It's about a sentence from the book.

"Readers understand what a passage if generally about when they see consistent ideas toward the beginnings of sentences, especially in their subjects."

Why isn't there a verb in the underlined a clause?

 

[GoesStation]

If you've copied it exactly, there's a typo. Can you find it?

 

[EUNJJUNG]

I copied it exactly, then is there a typo in the book?

 

[GoesStation]

Yes. One letter in the underlined passage was mis-typed. Can you find it?

 

[EUNJJUNG]

um..
I guess that "what is a passage if generally about."
It is correct?

 

[Rover_KE]

No. You've added an extra word. You have to change one letter in the underlined phrase.

 

[emsr2d2]

I certainly don't understand what the passage if generally about.

Please read the sentence above carefully. There is a typo. Can you find it? It's the same typo in the original. I think you're getting confused in the original because it's worded as a question. I think you will find it easier in a declarative sentence.

 

[EUNJJUNG]

I don't know no matter how hard I think about it.

 

[Tarheel]

It should be:

what a passsge is generally about