GMAT Sentence Correction Discussions

MBA
8108
Hi,

Could someone help me in understanding that how do we spot the usage of Past Perfect tense in the sentence? Please correct me if i am wrong
My perception -- Past perfect tense is used when we are talking about a time which is even in an older era than a past time. For example if past tense is being used for 1980 then 1970 should be having past perfect tense.

In 1980 the United States exported twice as much of its national output of goods as they had in 1970.
(A) twice as much of its national output of goods as they had
(B) double the amount of their national output of goods as they did
(C) twice as much of its national output of goods as it did
(D) double the amount of its national output of goods as its has
(E) twice as much of their national output of goods as they had

Please correct me, i am wrong some where..


U.S is singular,so we must use it and not "they".Options A,B,E are ruled out."Twice" fits better than "double".So,I will go with option C.

-Deepak.
8109
Hi,

Could someone help me in understanding that how do we spot the usage of Past Perfect tense in the sentence? Please correct me if i am wrong
My perception -- Past perfect tense is used when we are talking about a time which is even in an older era than a past time. For example if past tense is being used for 1980 then 1970 should be having past perfect tense.

In 1980 the United States exported twice as much of its national output of goods as they had in 1970.
(A) twice as much of its national output of goods as they had
(B) double the amount of their national output of goods as they did
(C) twice as much of its national output of goods as it did
(D) double the amount of its national output of goods as its has
(E) twice as much of their national output of goods as they had

Please correct me, i am wrong some where..

In 1980 the United States exported twice as much of its national output of goods as they had in 1970.
(A) twice as much of its national output of goods as they had
(B) double the amount of their national output of goods as they did
(C) twice as much of its national output of goods as it did
(D) double the amount of its national output of goods as its has
(E) twice as much of their national output of goods as they had

Errors in Red.
Answer in Blue.
Reason in Black
8110
In 1980 the United States exported twice as much of its national output of goods as they had in 1970.
(A) twice as much of its national output of goods as they had
(B) double the amount of their national output of goods as they did
(C) twice as much of its national output of goods as it did
(D) double the amount of its national output of goods as its has
(E) twice as much of their national output of goods as they had

Errors in Red.
Answer in Blue.
Reason in Black
'

did you get my message which i just sent you?
8111
In a previous design, the weight of the discus used in
track competition is concentrated in a metal center,
but now it is lined with lead around the perimeter,
thereby improving stability in fl ight and resulting in
longer throws.
(A) In a previous design, the weight of the discus
used in track competition is concentrated in a
metal center, but now it is
(B) According to a previous design, the weight of
the discus used in track competition was
concentrated in a metal center, but now it is
(C) Once designed with its weight concentrated
in a metal center, the discus used in track
competition is now
(D) The discus used in track competition, once
designed with its weight concentrated in a metal
center, but now
(E) The discus used in track competition was once
designed having its weight concentrated in a
metal center and now
8112
In a previous design, the weight of the discus used in
track competition is concentrated in a metal center,
but now it is lined with lead around the perimeter,
thereby improving stability in fl ight and resulting in
longer throws.
(A) In a previous design, the weight of the discus
used in track competition is concentrated in a
metal center, but now it is
(B) According to a previous design, the weight of
the discus used in track competition was
concentrated in a metal center, but now it is
(C) Once designed with its weight concentrated
in a metal center, the discus used in track
competition is now
(D) The discus used in track competition, once
designed with its weight concentrated in a metal
center, but now
(E) The discus used in track competition was once
designed having its weight concentrated in a
metal center and now

OA and reason
8113
In a previous design, the weight of the discus used in
track competition is concentrated in a metal center,
but now it is lined with lead around the perimeter,
thereby improving stability in fl ight and resulting in
longer throws.
(A) In a previous design, the weight of the discus
used in track competition is concentrated in a
metal center, but now it is
(B) According to a previous design, the weight of
the discus used in track competition was
concentrated in a metal center, but now it is
(C) Once designed with its weight concentrated
in a metal center, the discus used in track
competition is now
(D) The discus used in track competition, once
designed with its weight concentrated in a metal
center, but now
(E) The discus used in track competition was once
designed having its weight concentrated in a
metal center and now

OA and reason


It is ambiguous in A & B. D is awkward.Option E has "and" that doesn't gel well with the sentence.I will go with option C

-Deepak.
8114

Hi,

Thanks for explaining the usage of past perfect. But there is this another sentence in OG12 confusing me, has the time for the clause mentioned and goes with the past perfect usage too...

Although various eighteenth- and nineteenth-century
American poets had professed an interest in
Native American poetry and had pretended to imitate
Native American forms in their own works, until almost
1900, scholars and critics did not begin seriously to
study traditional Native American poetry in native
languages.
(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not
begin seriously to study
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not
begun seriously studying
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics
to begin seriously to study
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and
critics began to seriously study
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and
critics seriously began studying

8115
In a previous design, the weight of the discus used in
track competition is concentrated in a metal center,
but now it is lined with lead around the perimeter,
thereby improving stability in fl ight and resulting in
longer throws.
(A) In a previous design, the weight of the discus
used in track competition is concentrated in a
metal center, but now it is
(B) According to a previous design, the weight of
the discus used in track competition was
concentrated in a metal center, but now it is
(C) Once designed with its weight concentrated
in a metal center, the discus used in track
competition is now
(D) The discus used in track competition, once
designed with its weight concentrated in a metal
center, but now
(E) The discus used in track competition was once
designed having its weight concentrated in a
metal center and now

OA and reason


IMO: C
Option A:"it" is ambiguous and moreover looking closely one may find "tense" issue.
Option B: Though looks perfect, still "it" is ambiguous- is it referring to weight or the discuss...?
Option D: is Awkward
Option E: lacks a verb in the last phrase ("is" is missing)

Hope this helps....!!

OA pls
8116
Hi,

Thanks for explaining the usage of past perfect. But there is this another sentence in OG12 confusing me, has the time for the clause mentioned and goes with the past perfect usage too...

Although various eighteenth- and nineteenth-century
American poets had professed an interest in
Native American poetry and had pretended to imitate
Native American forms in their own works, until almost
1900, scholars and critics did not begin seriously to
study traditional Native American poetry in native
languages.
(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not
begin seriously to study
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not
begun seriously studying
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics
to begin seriously to study
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and
critics began to seriously study
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and
critics seriously began studying


(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not
begin seriously to study
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not
begun seriously studying - Incorrect.
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics
to begin seriously to study - Awkward construction.
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and
critics began to seriously study - wrong usage of infinitive "began to seriously"
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and
critics seriously began studying - Correct Choice. "it" is clear here and does not have an ambiguous antecedent.
Errors in red.
8117

hi
i am new to this thread...planning to start my preparation for GMAT...
can anybody suggests regarding what books i should refferred for sentence correction...?
Please help...

8118
hi
i am new to this thread...planning to start my preparation for GMAT...
can anybody suggests regarding what books i should refferred for sentence correction...?
Please help...


Go for the world famous, MGMAT SC book.
8119
Hi,

Thanks for explaining the usage of past perfect. But there is this another sentence in OG12 confusing me, has the time for the clause mentioned and goes with the past perfect usage too...

Although various eighteenth- and nineteenth-century
American poets had professed an interest in
Native American poetry and had pretended to imitate
Native American forms in their own works, until almost
1900, scholars and critics did not begin seriously to
study traditional Native American poetry in native
languages.
(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not
begin seriously to study
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not
begun seriously studying
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics
to begin seriously to study
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and
critics began to seriously study
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and
critics seriously began studying


D & E are contenders.I will pick option E

-Deepak.
8120

(A) until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not
begin seriously to study
(B) until almost 1900 scholars and critics had not
begun seriously studying
(C) not until almost 1900 were scholars and critics
to begin seriously to study
(D) it was not almost until 1900 when scholars and
critics began to seriously study
(E) it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and
critics seriously began studying
My answer is Option E...

8121

Few questions from 1000SC.

1).Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has
learned before him, knew how to use a good story to generate good will.
(A) Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler
has learned before him, knew
(B) Discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned
before him, Lincoln knew
(C) Lincoln, discovering the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned in young
manhood before him, knew
(D) In young manhood Lincoln discovered the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him;
(E) Lincoln, discovered in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him, knew

-----------------------------------------------------
2).Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of
this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.
(A) have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually
remained unchanged
(B) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain
unchanged
(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually
unchanged
(D) declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained
virtually unchanging
(E) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained
--------------------------------------------------------
3).Puritan fanatics brought to civil and military affairs a coolness of judgment and
mutability of purpose that some writers have though inconsistent with their
religious zeal, but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it.
(A) but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it
(B) but which were in fact a natural outgrowth of it
(C) but which were in fact natural outgrowths of it
(D) but it was in fact a natural outgrowth of them
(E) which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it
-------------------------------------------------------------
4).Those who have visited the Grand Canyon have typically seen layers of sediment
in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark the passage of time like the
rings in a tree trunk.
(A) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark
(B) see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors mark
(C) been seeing layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors
are markers of
(D) been able to see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors
marking
(E) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, marking by different colors
---------------------------------------------------------------
Please do post the explanations too.

8122
Few questions from 1000SC.

1).Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has
learned before him, knew how to use a good story to generate good will.
(A) Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler
has learned before him, knew
(B) Discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned
before him, Lincoln knew
(C) Lincoln, discovering the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned in young
manhood before him, knew
(D) In young manhood Lincoln discovered the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him;
(E) Lincoln, discovered in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him, knew

-----------------------------------------------------
2).Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of
this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.
(A) have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually
remained unchanged
(B) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain
unchanged
(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually
unchanged
(D) declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained
virtually unchanging
(E) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained
--------------------------------------------------------
3).Puritan fanatics brought to civil and military affairs a coolness of judgment and
mutability of purpose that some writers have though inconsistent with their
religious zeal, but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it.
(A) but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it
(B) but which were in fact a natural outgrowth of it
(C) but which were in fact natural outgrowths of it
(D) but it was in fact a natural outgrowth of them
(E) which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it
-------------------------------------------------------------
4).Those who have visited the Grand Canyon have typically seen layers of sediment
in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark the passage of time like the
rings in a tree trunk.
(A) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark
(B) see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors mark
(C) been seeing layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors
are markers of
(D) been able to see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors
marking
(E) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, marking by different colors
---------------------------------------------------------------
Please do post the explanations too.


Hi Deepu.85.Rao

My answers

1) A,B : Wrong use of present perfect 'Has Learned'.The 'discovery' happened after the secret was learned by the peddler, so past perfect is the correct tense form.

C :Misplaced modifier 'in young manhood'.

D :Although I believe that this choice too is imperfect as a relative clause 'How to use a ...' cannot stand alone as a complete sentence , this is the least error ridden among the five.

E :The intended modifier 'discovered ... him' uses past participle.Since the action denoted (of discovery) is on going , present participle is prefered.

2) The question is testing verb usage.The order of the tenses should be either past perfect and past or past and present perfect.

A,B & C : Wrong sequence of tenses.

D: of this what? . Also , unchanging is the wrong participle here as the action described has been completed after three months and there is no indication that it has continued for the fourth month too.

E: Proper verb tenses used.And I assume here that 'have remained unchanged' is the correct complete sentence and the error crept in above sentence while copying / pasting.

3) The sentence talks about 'coolness of judgement and mutability of purpose', , a compound subject which requires plural verbs.C remains. B is wrong because it uses singular 'outgrowth' to refer to plural subject.

4) A: Frankly I dont see anything wrong with this expression.

B ,C and D: Incorrect verb usage (present , present perfect continuous (rarely tested on the GMAT) and passive construction) .

E:It seems that the Grand Canyon is marking the different colours which distorts the meaning of the sentence.

What are the credited responses for the above sentences?
8123
Few questions from 1000SC.

1).Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has
learned before him, knew how to use a good story to generate good will.
(A) Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler
has learned before him, knew
(B) Discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned
before him, Lincoln knew
(C) Lincoln, discovering the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned in young
manhood before him, knew
(D) In young manhood Lincoln discovered the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him;
(E) Lincoln, discovered in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him, knew


My take:

1. C
2. B
3. B
4. A

-Deepak.
8124
Few questions from 1000SC.

1).Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has
learned before him, knew how to use a good story to generate good will.
(A) Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler
has learned before him, knew
(B) Discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned
before him, Lincoln knew
(C) Lincoln, discovering the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned in young
manhood before him, knew
(D) In young manhood Lincoln discovered the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him;
(E) Lincoln, discovered in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler had
learned before him, knew

-----------------------------------------------------
2).Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of
this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.
(A) have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually
remained unchanged
(B) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain
unchanged
(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually
unchanged
(D) declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained
virtually unchanging
(E) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained
--------------------------------------------------------
3).Puritan fanatics brought to civil and military affairs a coolness of judgment and
mutability of purpose that some writers have though inconsistent with their
religious zeal, but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it.
(A) but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it
(B) but which were in fact a natural outgrowth of it
(C) but which were in fact natural outgrowths of it
(D) but it was in fact a natural outgrowth of them
(E) which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it
-------------------------------------------------------------
4).Those who have visited the Grand Canyon have typically seen layers of sediment
in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark the passage of time like the
rings in a tree trunk.
(A) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark
(B) see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors mark
(C) been seeing layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors
are markers of
(D) been able to see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors
marking
(E) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, marking by different colors
---------------------------------------------------------------
Please do post the explanations too.


OAs :
1)B
2)E
3)C
4)D

@mydyingbride ,
For 3, 'which' should touch the noun it modifies .So in the sentence doesn't this modify religious zeal ?So I felt D as the answer, religious zeal was a outgrowth of coolness of ... & mutability...

For 1 & 4 ,can anyone explain why D & A are wrong choices ?. [ there is a possibilty that answer keys are incorrect too.]
8125
OAs :
1)B
2)E
3)C
4)D

@mydyingbride ,
For 3, 'which' should touch the noun it modifies .So in the sentence doesn't this modify religious zeal ?So I felt D as the answer, religious zeal was a outgrowth of coolness of ... & mutability...

For 1 & 4 ,can anyone explain why D & A are wrong choices ?. [ there is a possibilty that answer keys are incorrect too.]


Hi again

For sentence no. 3 , you ve brought up a very interesting and commonly misunderstood point.Let me try to clarify it with whatever knowledge of GMAT grammar I have:

Relative pronouns in GMAT sentences (such as which , that etc) refer to the immediately preceeding noun but only when they are used in a modifying phrase.Look closely at this construction and the four answer choices.The 'but' creates a subordinate clause and in this case , the relative pronoun will refer to the subject of the principal (or main) clause.

The fifth answer choice will be rendered meaningless as which and it will refer to the zeal.

Remember:Whenever a relative pronoun is used in a sentence with a connector(if , but , although , other sub ordinating conjunctions) , it will always refer back to the subject of the sentence and not to the noun it touches as in above sentence.

I hope this clears your doubt.

For sentences 1 and 4 , check this blog out.It says here the OA is wrong.

GMAT Sentence Correction: February 2007

Regards
8126

Thank You Ashish for correcting my error.

8127

Hi, can anyone please try these questions and explain the answers:

Q. New high-combustion models of engines show the potential of being able to produce high horsepower and performance without the costly requirements of maintenance and consuming of special racing fuel by earlier high horsepower models.

A. requirements of maintenance and consuming of special racing fuel by earlier high horsepower models.
B. requirements by earlier high horsepower models of consuming of special racing fuel and maintenance.
C. requirements for consuming of special racing fuel and maintenance of earlier high horsepower models.
D. consumption of special racing fuel and maintenance that was required by earlier high horsepower models.
E. maintenance and consumption of special racing fuel that were required by earlier high horsepower models.

Q. Forced to cut back their stock, automobile dealers in the area have cut prices; their pick-up trucks have been priced to sell, and they are.

A. have been priced to sell, and they are.
B. are priced to sell, and they have.
C. are priced to sell, and they do.
D. are being priced to sell, and have.
E. had been priced to sell, and they have.

Q. In one of the most surprising victories in WWI, the newly formed Russian communist state was routed by the Polish General, Jozef Pilsudski, demanding that it should push back its borders east of Vilnius.

A. demanding that it should
B. demanding it to
C. and their demand to
D. who demanded that it
E. who demanded them to