SENTENCE CORRETION FOR GMAT 1.

Run on sentence :
An independent clause is a clause that could stand on its own as a complete sentence: it must have a noun and a verb. Every sentence needs at least one independent clause as its core statement. We can join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, or, but, nor, for, yet, so, etc.) We can also take an independent clause and make it dependent (a.k.a subordinate) by putting a subordinating conjunction in front of it; in this case, a different independent clause would have to remain independent as the core statement of the full sentence. Folks sometimes use the mnemonic on a white bus to remember the subordinating conjunctions in English: O = only if N = now that A = although, after, as WH = while, when, whereas, whenever, wherever, whether or not I = if, in case T = though E = even though, even if B = because, before U = until, unless S = since, so (that) You can join independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions, and/or you can include one or more dependent clauses as long at the sentence overall has an independent clause. A run-on sentence is the juxtaposition of two independent clauses without an appropriate conjunction. It need not be long. All you need for an independent clause is two words, a subject + a verb. Therefore, all you need for a run-on sentence is four words; for example: Fish swim birds fly. That sentence is a classic run-on sentence: noun verb noun verb, with no conjunction of any kind. We could make it a correct not run-on sentence either by adding a coordinating conjunction (Fish swim, but birds fly.) or a subordinating conjunction (While fish swim, birds fly.) Having deepened your understanding of run-on sentences, you may want to take a second crack at this sentence before reading the explanation. 1) Although offering a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord, the original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century indeed the name comes from the Italian forte (loud) + piano (soft) the fortepiano would now sound dynamically limited compared to our modern grand pianos. Although offering a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord, the original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century Although the original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century, offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord Although it offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord, the original pianoforte, invented in the early eighteenth century Invented in the early eighteenth century, the original pianoforte offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord The original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century, although it offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord

Explanation of the Practice Question (A) Although offering a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord, the original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century This is one of the classic mistakes on the GMAT Sentence Correction. A subordinating conjunction such as although must be followed by a bonafide noun-verb, not simply by a participle. Correct: Although the original fortepiano offered etc. Incorrect: Although offering etc. In addition to that mistake, notice that, after the first comma, we have the freestanding noun the original fortepiano, a subject without a verb. (A) has a few mistakes, so it is incorrect.

(B) Although the original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century, offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord This one correctly follows Although with a bonafide noun-verb clause. In fact, (B) is the correct answer. (C) Although it offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord, the original pianoforte, invented in the early eighteenth century This one correctly follows Although with a bonafide noun-verb clause, but then has the free-standing noun the original fortepiano, a subject without a verb. (C) is incorrect. (D) Invented in the early eighteenth century, the original pianoforte offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord This one begins with the statement invented in the early eighteenth century: this is a minor detail, tangential to the main point of the sentence, so its somewhat jarring as the opening of the sentence. The BIG problem with this one, though, is that we have independent clause the original pianoforte offered and then, after the dashed section, another independent clause the fortepiano would now sound and theres no conjunction. This is the run-on sentence, and therefore, (D) is incorrect. (E) The original fortepiano, invented in the early eighteenth century, although it offered a dynamic range simply absent on the harpsichord This one is strange. We get a subject, followed by a modifier and then a subordinate clause, but theres no verb. We have a free-standing noun without a verb. This sentence has the form noun-noun-verb, not exactly a run-on, but still very much incorrect. Search the complex SC questions, in the OG and elsewhere, and you will find run-on sentences disguises, as this one was, lurking among the answer choices. With a clearer understand of run-ons, you will be that much more efficient in tackling GMAT Sentence Correction.

2. That
As you know THAT is a very common clause marker. It is a multi-faceted word. In this article we will discuss its two primary uses. Note that may be used in other ways but these two uses constitute the most common uses of that.

Lets take an example: Mary made claims that pertain to her achievements in high school. In this sentence that refers to the preceding noun claims - and the entire purple clause modifies the noun claims. As you can see, that is the subject of the purple clause. Its verb is pertain. Lets take another example: Retailers do not approve of the apps that allow shoppers to perform immediate price-comparison by scanning a product on the shelf. In this sentence that refers to the preceding noun apps - and the entire purple clause modifies this noun apps. As you can see, that is the subject of the purple clause. Its verb is allow.

That modifies the preceding noun through this modifying clause and acts as the subject of this clause.

Lets take an example: Mary claims that she won several awards in her high school. In this sentence that connects two clauses. Mary claims Mary claims what? Mary claims that she won several awards in her high school. As you can see, that is simply a connector. It is not the subject of the purple clause. The subject of the purple clause is she and its verb is won. Lets take another example: The analysts strongly believe that the manufacturing sector will continue to act as a drag on gross domestic product in the third quarter and that the improvement is unlikely until regional structural issues are addressed and the broader global backdrop brightens. In this sentence that connects clauses. o Analysts strongly believe o Analysts strongly believe what? o Analysts strongly believe that manufacturing sector will continue to act as drag. that the improvement is unlikely until As you can see, that is simply a connector. It is not the subject of the purple or blue clause. The subject of the purple clause is manufacturing sector and its verb is will continue. The subject of the blue clause is improvement and its verb is is. Lets take one more example: Mary found certain evidence that even the Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) could not find. In this sentence that connects two clauses. o Mary found certain evidence o What kind of evidence o Evidence that even CSI could not find As you can see, that is simply a connector. It is not the subject of the purple clause. The subject of the purple clause is CSI and its verb is could not find. That connects two clauses. It acts as a connector. Each clause connected by that requires its own subject and verb pair.

HOW TO APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE

Ok so now that you know that that can typically act in two capacities, one in which it is subject of the clause and another one in which it is simply a connector, how should you utilize this knowledge to simplify the clauses. Its simple: 1. When you come across the word that, you should know right away that there is another clause.

2. Then when you get to identifying the SV pairs of each clause, keep in mind that depending upon how that is used, it could act as subject and it could simply be a connector. APPLICATION ON OFFICIAL QUESTION I OG13#140

Rock samples taken from the remains of an asteroid about twice the size of the 6-mile-wide asteroid that eradicated the dinosaurs has been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus is evidence of the earliest known asteroid impact on Earth. We will now solve this question. MEANING ANALYSIS This sentence is about certain rock samples that were taken from remains of an asteroid. Details about the size of this asteroid have been provided in the sentence. The main aim of this sentence is to specify the age of these rock samples and to make the claim that these rock samples are evidence of the oldest known asteroid impact on earth. SENTENCE STRUCTURE Now we will simplify the sentence structure. We see that the subject of first clause is rock samples. The portion taken from the remains of an asteroid is a verb-ed modifier. taken cannot be a verb since it is not preceded by is/are/was/were. As we continue reading, we come across the word that, which signals presence of a clause. that eradicated the dinosaurs. Then we continue reading and we find what appear to be the two verbs of the subject rock samples in the beginning of the sentence. Rock samples taken from the remains of an asteroid about twice the size of the 6-mile-wide asteroid that eradicated the dinosaurs has been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus is evidence of the earliest known asteroid impact on Earth. ERROR ANALYSIS Now that we have the simplified sentence structure, we can perform the error analysis. Notice how you can now focus on each clause one by one and figure out the grammatical correctness and errors. The SV pairs have been color coded. As you can see that in this sentence refers to the preceding noun asteroid. It has its verb eradicated. We also clearly see the verbs for the plural subject rock samples. These verbs are singular and hence there is SV number error here. So the correct choice should have plural verbs. This is the first and the primary error. The second error is the idiomatic usage of the phrase dated to be. The correct idiom is dated at. ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS Now we will review each answer choice one by one and find the correct answer: A. has been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus is =>SV Number error, Idiom error as discussed B. has been dated at 3.47 billion years old and thus =>SV Number error, Verb does not exist. Per our sentence structure and meaning analysis, we know that there are two verbs for the subject rock samples. In this choice, the verb is has been removed and hence second verb no longer exists. C. have been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus are =>Idiom error D. have been dated as being 3.47 billion years old and thus =>Idiom error. Second verb is missing as in choice B E. have been dated at 3.47 billion years old and thus are =>Correct choice. Both verbs are plural. The idiom has been corrected. TAKE AWAY This is a 700 level question. However, it was extremely simple to arrive at the correct answer once we simplified the sentence structure. We will see more of this in our SC2 Sentence Structure session. EXERCISE For the sentences below, do the following: 1. Identify all SV pairs in the sentence above. 2. Is there any problem with the sentence with regards to the SV pairs? 3. How will you correct the error?

QUESTION 1: In a review of 2,000 studies of human behavior that date back to the 1940s, two Swiss psychologists, declaring that since most of the studies had failed to control for such variables as social class and family size, none could be taken seriously. QUESTION 2 In 1713, Alexander Pope began his translation of the Iliad, a work that, taking him seven years until completion, and that literary critic Samuel Johnson, Popes contemporary, pronounced the greatest translation in any language. Bottom Line 1. You can simplify the sentence into clauses if you follow the clause markers. 2. That has many functions. The two common functions are listed below: a. Subject of the Clause b. Connector

SC2- SENTENCE STRUCTURE [VERBAL LIVE PREP CUSTOMERS]

In SC1-How to approach Sentence Correction, we discussed the three pillars of Sentence Correction Meaning, Sentence Structure and Grammar. Furthermore, we demonstrated how one can answer identify errors and spot the correct answer through intended meaning. In the next session SC2- Sentence Structure we will discuss how you can leverage sentence structure to 1. Identify the intended meaning 2. Identify majority of the errors. In our experience, you can solve over 95% of the SC questions through the methods described above. To get the most of this session, make sure that you have reviewed this article thoroughly and analyzed the two exercise sentences above. Here is a sample analysis of the first question. Rock samples taken from the remains of an asteroid about twice the size of the 6-mile-wide asteroid that eradicated the dinosaurs has been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus is evidence of the earliest known asteroid impact on Earth. We see that the subject of first clause is rock samples. The portion taken from the remains of an asteroid is a verbed modifier. taken cannot be a verb since it is not preceded by is/are/was/were. As we continue reading, we come across the word that, which signals presence of a clause. that eradicated the dinosaurs. Then we continue reading and we find what appear to be the two verbs of the subject rock samples in the beginning of the sentence.

NOUN + NOUN MODIFIERS

Before we start discussing about the functions of noun + noun modifiers, lets do a little warm up exercise here. Following are the three sentences. On the basis of the usage of modifier, identify which of the following are correct. 1. James created a magnificent design by using latest graphic design tools, a work acknowledged and appreciated by all investors. 2. James created a magnificent design by using latest graphic design tools, an experiment that many feared to do because of the instability in the output resulting from these tools. 3. James created a magnificent design by using latest graphic design tools, expensive but super helpful devices developed especially for minute detailing and elaboration.

NOUN + NOUN MODIFIERS: CONFUSION

All the above mentioned warm up sentences are correct. Well, I would not be surprised to know that the answer surprised you. The modifier that all the three sentences have here follows the structure of noun + noun modifier. The usage of this modifier in all the above mentioned sentences is correct.

1. James created a magnificent design by using latest graphic design tools, a work acknowledged and appreciated by all investors. 2. James created a magnificent design by using latest graphic design tools, an experiment that many feared to do because of the instability in the output resulting from these tools. 3. James created a magnificent design by using latest graphic design tools, expensive but super helpful devices developed especially for minute detailing and elaboration. Noun + Noun modifiers are very versatile modifiers. Unlike the structure of other modifiers, their structure does not restrict their modification to a particular entity in the sentence. For example, verb-ed or verb-ing modifier without a preceding comma can only modify the preceding noun entity. The noun + noun modifiers are very versatile because despite having a definite structure, they dont modify an entity in a definite position in the sentence. The noun + noun modifiers can modify the entire preceding clause, the preceding noun entity, or a noun in the middle of the sentence. The modification done by these modifiers is completely driven by the context of the sentence.

This versatility of noun + noun modifiers to modify any aspect in a sentence makes them very complex and dreaded. The GMAT takers do possess some knowledge of such modifiers and their functions. However, this complex nature of noun + noun modifiers to be able to modify just about any aspect in a sentence leaves them confused as to how to identify which particular entity a noun + noun modifier is referring to in a particular sentence. Hence, they pray not to encounter these scary modifiers. Another thing to keep in mind is that a noun + noun modifier must refer to only one entity in the sentence. If the modification leads to slightest of ambiguity, then the usage of this modifier will stand incorrect. Lets understand this point through an example:

In the above sentence, a gift that was in her wish list from a very long time is the noun + noun modifier. a gift = noun that was in her wish list from a very long time = noun modifier

Now, in this sentence, there are two equally strong contenders for the modification of this noun + noun modifier iPhone 4S and iPad 3.

Any one of them qualify to be in Kims wish list. The noun + noun modifier a gift that will make sense with both the entities. Hence, in this sentence, there is ambiguity about the modification of noun + noun modifier. Hence use of this modifier here is incorrect. We can rectify this error by saying:

In this sentence, noun + noun modifier has been replaced by relative pronoun clause. Relative pronoun which clearly refers to the preceding noun iPad 3, making it clear that this item was in Kims wish list for a very long time. We can interchange the devices to denote which article was in Kims wish list for long. Also, since the modification of noun + noun modifiers is completely context driven, a test taker may find it extremely difficult to identify the entity this modifier modifies in a sentence if he/she is unable to understand the intended logical meaning of the sentence.

PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE

This article is aimed at doing away with all the fears and confusions related to the usage of noun + noun modifiers. In this article, we will demonstrate how and in which scenarios, a Noun + Noun Modifier can be used to modify various entities in the preceding clause including the entire preceding clause itself. At the end of the article, we have also included a small quiz for you to check your understanding of this particular modifier.

NOUN + NOUN MODIFIERS: FUNCTION

As already mentioned above, noun + noun modifiers are very versatile modifiers and can modify an entity in the sentence. This entity can be the immediate preceding noun, a noun in the middle of the preceding clause, or the entire preceding clause. The modification of noun + noun modifiers completely depends on the context of the sentence. Lets discuss the warm up sentences to see how they are correct and the noun + noun modifier in each sentence is modifying which entity in the sentence and why.

1. NOUN + NOUN MODIFIER: MODIFYING PRECEDING NOUN

Noun + Noun modifier can modify the immediate preceding noun entity if the context of the sentence demands so. Sentence 3 of the warm up exercise falls into this category.

SIMPLE EXAMPLE:
Noun + Noun modifier can modify the immediate preceding noun entity if the context of the sentence demands so. Sentence 3 of the warm up exercise falls into this category.

This sentence means that James created an excellent design by using latest design tools. Then the modifier explains what kind of tool they are. They are expensive but helpful devices that are especially created for certain specific tasks. In this sentence, expensive but super helpful devices developed especially for minute detailing and elaboration is the noun + noun modifier. Here, expensive but super helpful devices = noun entity developed especially for minute detailing and elaboration = noun modifier. Notice that developed is the verb-ed modifier here that is modifying the preceding noun entity expensive but super helpful devices. The noun expensive but super helpful devices can logically refer to the latest graphic design tools, because there is no other noun entity that it will make sense with. Now design is another noun in the sentence. However, design cannot be classified as tools. Hence, logically this modification will not make sense. Hence, per the context of the sentence, the noun + noun modifier (expensive but super helpful devices developed especially for minute detailing and elaboration) is modifying the preceding noun entity (latest graphic design tools) in this sentence because that is the only logical referent in the main clause.

OFFICIAL EXAMPLE: OG 12#118 (with correct answer choice C)

In order to understand the modification in this sentence, let us first understand the intended meaning of the sentence. The sentence says that The WWF has declared that global warming will create havoc among migratory birds. It will do so by changing the environment in such ways that will be harmful to their habitats. By the way, global warming is a phenomenon that most scientists agree is caused by burning of fossil fuels by humans. In this sentence, a phenomenon that most scientists agree is caused by human beings' burning of fossil fuels is the noun + noun modifier. a phenomenon = noun entity that most scientists agree is caused by human beings' burning of fossil fuels = noun modifier The noun modifier in this structure is a relative pronoun that clause. Here that refers to a phenomenon, the preceding noun. So, logically what can be referred as a phenomenon in this sentence? The WWF can certainly be not classified as a phenomenon. So this noun is ruled out. Again, can a phenomenon be attributed to the action of declaring by the WWF? Certainly not because it does not make sense to say that the declaration is a phenomenon that most scientist agree is caused by a certain activity of humans. So this entity is also rejected. Can global warming be called a phenomenon that most scientists agree is cause by humans? By all means, yes. It is the phenomenon that has cause by humans burning of fossil fuel. Hence, per the context of the sentence, the noun + noun modifier is actually talking about the preceding noun entity global warming in that it is giving additional information about global warming which a phenomenon, an incident. The noun + noun modifier is referring to the immediate preceding noun in this official sentence.

2. NOUN + NOUN MODIFIER: MODIFYING NOUN IN MIDDLE

A noun + noun modifier can easily modify a noun entity in the middle of the preceding clause, provided the context of the sentence demands such modification. The versatility of this modifier allows it zoom into any entity of the preceding clause to modify it. Lets understand this by examples.

SIMPLE EXAMPLE:
Sentence 2 of the warm up exercise falls into this category.

As usual, lets first get the meaning of this sentence. The sentence says that James created an excellent design, using latest graphic design tools. It was a work that was acknowledged and appreciated by all investors. In this sentence, a work acknowledged and appreciated by all investors is the noun + noun modifier. a work = noun entity acknowledged and appreciated by all investors = noun modifier (verb-ed modifier) that modifies the preceding noun. Per the context, the noun entity a work must refer to refer to a logical entity. Now, the only logical entity to which a work acknowledged can be logically attributed to is a magnificent design. This is the work that James did. Now lets ask, is it possible for this noun + noun modifier to refer to the preceding noun latest graphic design tools? Logically, no its not. Tools cannot be called a work. Their creation can be classified as work but tools themselves are not work. So, per the logical context of the sentence, a work acknowledged modifies a noun that appears somewhere in the middle of the preceding clause.

OFFICIAL EXAMPLE: OG 12#48 (with correct answer choice B)

Lets take the first step. Lets first understand the meaning of this sentence. The sentence says that in 1713, Pope started translating the Iliad. This work of translation took him seven years. Johnson pronounced this work the greatest translation in any language. So as identified already, a work... any language is the noun + noun modifier in this sentence. a work = noun entity that took any language = noun modifier (relative pronoun that clause modifier) There are two nouns before a work that this modifier can refer to translation and Iliad. Lets first analyze the modification with translation. It makes absolute sense for a work to refer to translation

because translation is the work that Pope did and this is the work that took him seven years too. Also, it is the translation only that Johnson pronounced the greatest in any language. Now lets see if a work can refer to Iliad. Certainly not because Pope did not take seven years to finish Iliad. He took that long to translate Iliad. Also, Johnson did not call the Iliad the greatest translation. He called Iliads translation, done by Pope, the greatest in any language. Hence, logically it makes sense for a work,,, any language, a noun + noun modifier to refer to translation, a noun entity somewhere in the middle of the preceding clause.

3. NOUN + NOUN MODIFIER: MODIFYING PRECEDING CLAUSE

Another entity that a noun + noun modifier can refer to is the entire preceding clause, if the context demands such modification. In this case, the noun + noun modifier will not refer to any particular entity but to the subject and the verb of the preceding clause. Lets see how.

SIMPLE EXAMPLE:
Sentence 2 of the warm up exercise falls into this classification.

Lets understand the meaning first. James created an excellent design, using latest graphic design tools. This creation of the design by using latest design tools was an experiment that many were scared to do because the results that were obtained by using these tools were not stable. As already highlighted in green, an experiment these tools is the noun + noun modifier. an experiment = noun entity that may these tools = noun modifier (relative pronoun that clause modifier) So lets consider and analyze the possible entities this noun + noun modifier can refer to. This noun + noun modifier cannot refer to the immediate preceding noun because latest graphic design tools are no experiment. They are tools, kind of devices used for certain activities. Hence, this modification is logically impossible. What about a noun entity in the middle of the preceding clause design? Well, same logic again.

Design itself is not an experiment that many were afraid to do. Hence, this entity is rejected too. However, it does make sense to for this modifier to modify the entire preceding clause because James creation of the design by using the graphic design tools was an experiment because of the reason stated in the sentence. Hence, per the context of the sentence, this noun + noun modifier refers to the entire preceding clause in this sentence.

OFFICIAL EXAMPLE: OG 12#83 (with correct answer choice B)

Performing the ritual, lets first understand the meaning of this one. In 2000, just 24 products were responsible for increase in the money spent on prescriptions. There were two reasons for this incident: a. drugs are becoming more expensive. b. doctors are prescribing expensive drugs. The green portion of the sentence is the noun + noun modifier. a phenomenon = noun that is high-cost drugs = noun modifier (relative pronoun that clause modifier) Is this modifier modifying the preceding noun? It cannot do so because logically prescriptions drugs is no phenomenon. They are products. Moreover, singular a phenomenon does not agree in number with plural prescriptions drugs. Can it modify another noun entity half the increase in spending? Logically it cannot because this information fails to incorporate the fact that only 24 products are responsible for this increase. This increase is phenomenal because of the fact that it has been happened because of the sale of mere 24 drugs. Hence, it makes sense for the noun + noun modifier in this sentence that to modify the entire preceding clause. This modification makes it clear why this increase is noteworthy. The noun modifiers present the reasons for this phenomenal increase in spending.

A QUICK LOOK

NOUN + NOUN MODIFIER VS. VERB-ING MODIFIER

As discussed in our previous article named Noun + Noun Modifiers: The most versatile modifiers (modification-by-noun-noun-modifiers-137292.html#p1112971), these modifiers can modify the preceding noun, a noun in the middle of the sentence, or the entire preceding clause. They share a commonality with Verb-ing modifiers preceded by a comma in that both these modifiers modify the preceding clause. They also act like Verb-ed modifiers when they modify the preceding noun. Despite these similarities, Noun + Noun Modifiers remain distinct from Verb-ing and Verb-ed modifiers in their function and structure both. Lets delve into these dissimilarities between Noun + Noun Modifiers and other modifiers. So now we know that there are two modifiers that can refer to entire preceding clause: 1. Noun + Noun Modifiers 2. Verb-ing modifiers preceded by a comma. Even though these modifiers perform similar job of modifying the preceding clause, they are quite different in the way they perform their jobs. The difference between these two kinds of modifiers is that when the verb-ing modifier preceded by a comma modifies the preceding clause, it presents either additional information or the result of the preceding clause by associating itself with the subject and the verb of the preceding clause. The verb-ing modifier preceded by a comma has to modify the subject and the verb together. However, the noun + noun modifier has no such restriction. It can simply modify just about any aspect of the preceding clause, without being restricted to modify the subject and the verb. A noun + noun modifier can zoom into any entity in the preceding clause to modify it. Another thing to notice here is that, when noun + noun modifier modifies the entire preceding clause, then it always presents additional information about the preceding clause.

OFFICIAL EXAMPLE: GMAT Prep

So lets first understand the meaning of the sentence. The sentence says that one automobile manufacturer has announced plans to increase the average fuel efficiency of its SUVs by 25% over the next five years. This increase will amount to roughly five miles per gallon and will represent the first significant change in the fuel efficiency of any class of passenger vehicle in almost 20 years. Now the way this sentence uses the verb-ing modifiers amounting and resulting, both preceded by comma, these modifiers seems to present the result of the preceding clause One automobile manufacturer has announced plans. Here, both the modifiers are referring to the subject and the verb of the preceding main clause. Logically, this does not make sense because announcement of plans cannot amount to five miles per gallon. The act of mere announcement cannot even represent first significant change. Hence, the use of verb-ing modifiers is incorrect in this sentence. Now lets analyze the sentence with correct answer choice D:

In this sentence, verb-ing modifiers amounting and representing have replaced with noun + noun modifiers an increase that would amount to and (an increase) that would represent. Here, an increase = noun that would amount and that would represent = noun modifiers (relative pronoun clauses) By converting the verb-ing modifiers into noun + noun modifier, we are able to rectify the modification error easily because now, unlike the verb-ing modifiers, the noun + noun modifier need not modify the subject and the verb of the preceding clause. It can easily zoon into increase to present more information about this aspect of the preceding clause. This is the beauty of such modifiers.

VERB-ING MODIFIERS

If your answer to Julio's question is "No", then this article will surely help you. Verb-ing modifiers are one of the most heavily tested concepts in GMAT, and needless to mention one of the most dreaded concepts as well. The usage of this modifier often creates confusions because the function of a verb-ing modifier changes with the change in its placement in a sentence. This article is aimed at simplifying the usage of this dreaded modifier and helping you understand the functionality of this modifier better. But before that, we have a small warm up exercise. Attempt this short quiz and see how well you understand this concept currently.

1. Students have been throwing away healthy meals made available in school cafeteria by The Los Angeles Unified School District and bringing their own junk food to school and these forced the district to bring back some of the foods it worked so hard to replace. A. school and these forced B. schools, which forced C. schools, forcing 2. In three months, biologist Glauco Machado gathered enough information about large numbers of a relatively unstudied order of arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish his first scientific paper. A. arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish B. arachnids, persuading an ant specialist at the university to advise him and publishing C. arachnids persuading an ant specialist at the university to advise him and publishing

ANSWER KEY
1. C.

2. A. (Detailed solutions in sections RULE SET #1 and RULE SET #2 respectively. Rule Set #2 will be covered in a separate article soon to follow.)

UNDERSTANDING VERB-ING MODIFIERS

As the name suggests, verb-ing modifiers are the words that are constituted from verbs by adding ing to them. Essentially, these modifiers modify a particular entity in the sentence. The modification depends upon the placement of the modifier in the sentence, i.e. where and how they appear in the sentence. Since these modifiers are made from verbs, they denote action. For example: Mary cooked delicious food, using fresh condiments. In this sentence, the verb-ing modifier using fresh condiments denotes an action. It communicates the meaning - Mary used fresh condiments.

PLACEMENT OF VERB-ING MODIFIERS

The function played by a verb-ing modifier depends upon where and how it appears in the sentence. The verb-ing modifiers can take three places in a sentence: 1. Placed after a clause PRECEDED by a comma, 2. Placed after a clause NOT PRECEDED by a comma, 3. In the beginning of a clause followed by a comma. Needless to say that the function of the verb-ing modifier changes with the change in its placement in regards to the three structures mentioned above. Lets discuss the first structure that brings us to our first rule set for this modifier.

The verb-ing modifier can be placed after a clause and separated from the preceding clause by a comma.

SIMPLE EXAMPLES: Presenting Additional Information

Mary made a beautiful bouquet, arranging rare exotic flowers in certain symmetry. This sentence means that Mary made a beautiful bouquet. And how did she do it? This question is answered by the verb-ing modifier arranging rare exotic flowers in certain symmetry. i.e. Mary made a beautiful bouquet BY ARRANGING rare exotic flowers in certain symmetry. In this sentence, verb-ing modifier is preceded by a comma. This means that this modifier modifies the preceding clause. In this sentence, the verb-ing modifier is presenting additional information about the preceding clause.

GMAT like SENTENCE: Presenting Additional Information

For decades now, Illinois Natural History Survey biologists in aluminum skiffs have scooted up and down the thinly wooded banks of the Illinois river and monitored local fish, catching, recording, and releasing approximately 150,000 of them a year. This sentence means that for a very long time now, the INHS biologists have gone to the banks of the Illinois river in aluminum skiffs and have monitored local fish. And how they have monitored local fish? They have done so by catching, recording, and releasing some 150,000 fish a year. In this sentence, all the three verb-ing modifiers (parallel entities) appear in the sentence after the clause preceded by comma. Hence, they modify the entire preceding clause. Per the context of this sentence, we know that the three verb-ing modifiers are presenting additional information about the preceding clause. The three modifiers explain how the biologist did the job of monitoring local fish. They monitored local fish by catching them, putting them in records, and releasing them back in the river.

SIMPLE EXAMPLES: Presenting result

Mary made a beautiful bouquet, winning accolades from every one. This sentence tells us that Mary made a beautiful bouquet. It further explains that this action resulted in Mary winning a lot of accolades from every one. In this sentence, the verb-ing modifier appears after the clause preceded by a comma. This means the modifier will modify the entire preceding clause. In this sentence "winning accolades from every one" is presenting the result of the preceding clause.

GMAT like SENTENCE: Presenting Result

Let us bring our warm-up exercise question #1 here. Let us solve that GMAT like question to see why the correct answer is correct and how this rule set is applicable in that question.

Q#1 - WHY THE CORRECT ANSWER IS CORRECT

Students have been throwing away healthy meals made available in school cafeteria by The Los Angeles Unified School District and bringing their own junk food to school and these forced the district to bring back some of the foods it worked so hard to replace.

We will apply the e-gmat three-step process to solve this problem. STEP 1: MEANING ANALYSIS This sentence says that Los Angeles Unified School District added healthy meals to the school cafeteria. But students have been throwing away these healthy meals and have been bringing their own junk food. As a result of these actions, the district was forced to bring back some of the foods it worked so hard to replace. STEP 2: ERROR ANALYSIS Lets now split the sentence into clauses to spot the errors: Students have been throwing away healthy meals made available in school cafeteria by The Los Angeles Unified School District and bringing their own junk food to school and these forced the district to bring back some of the foods o it worked so hard to replace. In the second clause, pronoun these have been used to refer the actions of throwing healthy meals and bringing junk food. This usage is not correct because these is a pronoun. It can only refer to a noun or another pronoun. It cannot be used to refer to an action or a clause. STEP 3: POE A. school and these forced: Incorrect for the reason discussed during error analysis. B. schools, which forced: Incorrect. Notice that which is a noun modifier that refers to the preceding noun or noun phrase. In this choice, which is referring to schools. This is illogical. Also notice that which is a relative pronoun that abides by the same rules for pronoun. Hence, which cannot be used to present the result of the preceding clause. C. Schools, forcing: Correct. The verb-ing modifier forcing appears in this sentence preceded by a comma. This means that forcing is modifying the preceding clause. Per the context of the sentence, comma + forcing, in this choice, is correctly presenting the result of the preceding clause.

Applying RULE SET #1 on OG 12 #47 Five fledgling sea eagles left their nests in western Scotland this summer, bringing to 34 the number of wild birds successfully raised since transplants from Norway began in 1975. (A) bringing (B) and brings (C) and it brings (D) and it brought (E) and brought We will solve this question, using e-gmat three-step process. STEP 1: MEANING ANALYSIS The sentence says that this summer, five fledgling sea eagles left their nests in western Scotland. This action brought to 34 the total number of wild birds that have been successfully raised since transplants from Norway started in 1975.

STEP 2: ERROR ANALYSIS Let us split the sentence into clauses to spot the errors. Five fledgling sea eagles left their nests in western Scotland this summer, bringing to 34 the number of wild birds successfully raised o since transplants from Norway began in 1975. The only word underlined in this sentence is the verb-ing modifier bringing. This modifier appears after the main clause preceded by a comma. This means it modifies the preceding clause. The use of this modifier is correct here because per the context, it presents the result of the preceding clause - one of the functions of the verb-ing when preceded by a comma. Hence, there is no error in this sentence. This sentence is correct as is. STEP 3: POE Through this step we will find out why the other answer choices are incorrect. (A) bringing: Correct as explained during error analysis. (B) and brings: Incorrect. brings is not the correct verb tense to refer to an action that took place in the past. Furthermore, use of comma + and to connect two entities in a list here two verbs of the same subject - is not correct. (C) and it brings: Incorrect. i. Singular pronoun it neither can refer to plural eagles nor can refer to the preceding clause. A pronoun can only refer to a noun or another pronoun. ii. Repeats the same verb tense error as in Choice B. (D) and it brought: Incorrect. Repeats the same pronoun error as in Choice D. (E) and brought: Incorrect. Use of comma + and to connect two entities in a list here two verbs of the same subject - is not correct.

A POINT TO REMEMBER
As mentioned earlier, verb-ing modifiers are made from verbs and they denote action. Now, any action needs a doer. In the same way, the verb-ing modifiers also associate with the subjects of the preceding clause. What we must keep in mind is that the action denoted by verb-ing must make sense with the subject of the clause. The use of verb-ing is correct only if it makes sense with the subject of the clause it is modifying. For example: Sachin Tendulkar played an exceptionally outstanding innings, making the team win gloriously. The sentence means that Sachin played a superbly good innings. And the result of this action led to the victory of the team in a glorious manner. So, the verb-ing modifier making preceded by a comma is presenting the result of the preceding clause. Now, making is an action that needs a subject. Per the rule, it will associate with the subject of the preceding clause. Now, the subject of the preceding clause Sachin did the action of playing a superb innings. So the subject is the doer. Hence, making will associate with the same subject and will suggest that that Sachin made the team win. This association perfectly makes sense. Because Sachin did make the team win by playing a superb innings. Hence, the usage of the verb-ing modifier is absolutely correct here.

Now lets take this example: Joe became the CFO of the company, increasing his pay significantly. Here the verb-ing modifier increasing appears after the clause and is preceded by a comma. This means that this modifier will modify the preceding clause either by presenting additional information about the preceding clause or by presenting the result of the preceding clause. Now, per the intended meaning of the sentence, Joe became the CFO of the company. This event led to increase in his salary. Now, the subject of the sentence is Joe. However, he is not the doer of the verb became. He did not make himself the CFO of the company. Now look at the verb-ing modifier increasing. Since verb-ing modifier denotes an action and hence associates with a verb, increasing associates with Joe. The sentence thus means that Joe became the CFO of the company and as a result he increased his salary. We know that this is not even a possibility. What resulted in Joes increased salary is the event of his becoming the CFO. Hence, even if this sentence appears to be written in appropriate construction, it is incorrect since here the verb-ing modifier does not make sense with the subject of the preceding clause. This sentence can be written correctly as follows: Joe became the CFO of the company, a move that increased his pay significantly.

VERB-ING MODIFIERS PART 2

In our first article on verb-ing modifiers, we discussed function of this modifier when used with a comma. In this article we will explain the function of the verb-ing modifier when the modifier is placed after the clause and is NOT preceded by a comma. To refresh your memory, in a sentence there are three general places where this modifier appears. In each placement, the modifier plays a specific role. These places are:

1. Placed after a clause PRECEDED by a comma (explained in the first article) 2. Placed after a clause NOT PRECEDED by a comma (explained in this article) 3. In the beginning of a clause followed by a comma (Please view the Verb-ing concept in the e-GMAT free trial)

RULE SET #2
The placement of the verb-ing modifier after a clause without a comma brings us to the second rule set for this modifier. Lets understand the application of this rule set through simple examples first.

SIMPLE EXAMPLE
Mary made a beautiful bouquet releasing divine aroma. In this sentence releasing is a verb-ing modifier that is not preceded by a comma. In this construction, releasing modifies the preceding noun bouquet. The sentence means that Mary made a beautiful bouquet and that bouquet releases a divine aroma. So the modifier describes the noun "bouquet". Understanding Intended meaning is the key: As you would have noticed, the key to deciding whether to use a verb-ing modifier, and if to use one, whether to use one with a comma depends on the intended meaning of the sentence. If the logical intended meaning is such that the verb-ing modifier should modify

the preceding noun or noun phrase, then we should use the verb-ing modifier without a comma. On the other hand, use the verb-ing modifier with the comma if the authors intention is to express additional information about the preceding clause or the result of the preceding clause. Either way, to make this distinction its important to understand the logical intended meaning. View the free concept on e-GMAT if you need further clarification (and audio visual representation).

OFFICIAL EXAMPLE
Lets now take an official example and apply the tools that we have learned so far. Note that in this example we will only analyze the sentence with regards to the verb-ing modifier. The sentence construction for choices A and B is same as it pertains to the usage of verb-ing modifier. OG 12#133 Choice B Last week local shrimpers held a news conference to take some credit for the resurgence of the rare Kemp's ridley turtle, saying that their compliance with laws requiring turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets is protecting adult sea turtles. To decide whether the usage of verb-ing modifier make sense, lets understand the authors Intended Meaning. Intended meaning: To understand the intended meaning, we will split the sentence into clauses to understand its structure. Take the Sentence Structure concepts in the free trial if you have trouble in splitting the sentence into clauses and phrases. Lets continue. Last week local shrimpers held a news conference to take some credit for the resurgence of the rare Kemp's ridley turtle, saying that their compliance with laws requiring turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets is protecting adult sea turtles. This sentence says that last week local shrimpers called for a news conference. They did so to take come credit for the resurgence of the rare Kemps ridley turtle. They informed in the conference that they comply with laws that require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets. This action is protecting adult sea turtles. The verb-ing modifier requiring is not preceded by a comma and hence correctly modifies the preceding noun laws. The meaning is clear - these laws require the shrimpers to use turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets. Therefore, the sentence is correct as it is.

AN INSTANCE IN WHICH VERB-ING IS NOT CORRECT

We will now take an example in which Verb-ing is not correct. This example is from the exercise of the previous article. In three months, biologist Glauco Machado gathered enough information about large numbers of a relatively unstudied order of arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish his first scientific paper. A. arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish B. arachnids, persuading an ant specialist at the university to advise him and publishing C. arachnids persuading an ant specialist at the university to advise him and publishing Lets use the tools to determine whether verb-ing modifier makes sense.

STEP 1: (Intended) MEANING ANALYSIS The sentence says that in three months Machado gathered enough information about a huge number of comparatively unstudied order of arachnids. He gathered all information with two purposes in mind: a. he wanted to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him b. he wanted to publish his first scientific paper STEP 2: ERROR ANALYSIS In three months, biologist Glauco Machado gathered enough information about large numbers of a relatively unstudied order of arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish his first scientific paper. This sentence has just one subject-verb pair, meaning it has only one clause. The SV pair is accounted for. The purposes of gathering all the information have been correctly written in to verb form. These two purposes are also correctly joined with and. Hence, there is no error in this sentence. The sentence is correct as is. STEP 3: POE Let us now do the POE to see what makes the other two choices incorrect. A. arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish: Correct as we discussed during error analysis. B. arachnids, persuading an ant specialist at the university to advise him and publishing: Incorrect. Here both the verb-ing modifiers are preceded by comma, implying that they modify the entire preceding clause. Hence, now the sentence means that Machado gathered all the information and this action resulted into two things: a. he persuaded the ant specialist, and b. he published his first scientific papers. This is certainly not the intended meaning of the original sentence. The original sentence talks about purpose. Per this choice, Machados gathering information actually led to the persuasion of the ant specialist and the publication of the first scientific paper. Hence, this choice is grammatically correct but certainly alters the intended meaning and is thus incorrect. C. arachnids persuading an ant specialist at the university to advise him and publishing: Incorrect. In this choice, the verb-ing modifiers appear without comma. Here, both persuading and publishing modify the preceding noun arachnids. Now, per this choice, the sentence means that Machado collected information on certain arachnids and these arachnids did the jobs of persuading the ant specialist and publishing first scientific paper. This is absolutely illogical. This is a case where verb-ing modifier without a comma does not make sense.

APPLYING THE RULE SET TO GMATPREP QUESTION

Ok, so now that we understand how to use the new tools that we have learnt, lets add them to our arsenal and use the e-GMAT 3 step process to solve a GMAT PREP question. GMAT Prep Question: In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets, most of them as large or larger than Jupiter, which circle other stars.

A. most of them as large or larger than Jupiter, which circle B. most of them as large or larger than Jupiter and circling C. most of them at least as large as Jupiter, circling D. mostly at least as large as Jupiter, which circle E. mostly as large or larger than Jupiter, circling Let us now apply the e-gmat three-step process to solve this one. We will begin with the first step that is: MEANING ANALYSIS: The sentence says that in the past few years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets. These massive planets are either as large as Jupiter or larger than Jupiter. These massive planets also circle other stars. ERROR ANALYSIS: In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets, most of them as large or larger than Jupiter, which circle other stars. This sentence uses a mix of two idioms as X as and X larger than in the form of as large or larger than. This is incorrect. We must use the idiom correctly in its entirety to present the correct comparison. Notice the modifier which circle. This relative pronoun modifier modifies the noun 80 massive planets. Some of you may wonder that which circle modifies the closest noun Jupiter. This is not correct. And this is where logical meaning and understanding the sentence structure comes to our aid. Notice that most of them as large or larger than Jupiter is a modifier that provides additional information about the 80 massive planets. This modifier is encapsulated in a comma pair. So even if we remove this modifier from the sentence, the meaning will not be altered. So for the sake of our discussion, lets remove this modifier: In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planetswhich circle other stars. Now as you can see, which circle modifies the noun phrase 80 massive planets. Now this modifier is not written in correct construction since which is typically preceded by a comma. Remember that the comma that precedes which does not separate which but is part of the comma pair that separates the modifier "most of them" from the rest of the sentence. We will now find the correct choice from the remaining 4 choices. POE: A. most of them as large or larger than Jupiter, which circle: Incorrect for reasons discussed above. B. most of them as large or larger than Jupiter and circling: Incorrect. i. This choice repeats the idiom and parallelism errors of choice A. ii. A modifier is not separated from the entity it modifies by using and. C. most of them at least as large as Jupiter, circling: Correct. This choice corrects the error of choice A by using the correct idiom at least as large as Jupiter to convey the intended meaning. Furthermore, notice the use of modifier - circling . This modifier modifies the noun entity that precedes it more than 80 massive planets. As we discussed in the sentence structure discussion for choice A, this modifier does not modify the immediately preceding noun "Jupiter". This is a verb-ing modifier that is not separated from the preceding clause by a comma and hence modifies the preceding noun entity. At this time we should also pay attention to the logical meaning of the sentence. We have determined already that circling modifies 80 massive planets from grammatical standpoint. From logical standpoint also, circling must modify 80 massive planets because it is a universal fact that Jupiter

revolves around the Sun and no other star. Hence, there is no logical way that circling can modify Jupiter. It should modify 80 massive planets. D. mostly at least as large as Jupiter, which circle: Incorrect. Use of mostly is incorrect here. Now it is an adverb that refers to the adjective following it at least as large as. This is non-sensical. E. mostly as large or larger than Jupiter, circling: Incorrect. i. Repeats the same mostly error of choice D. ii. Repeats the idiom error of choice A.