Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as the Galapagos tortoise and examinations of fossils of juvenile dinosaurs, scientists estimate that the largest dinosaur probably lived to between 100 and 200 years old?

I whittled the choices to two:

(A) Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as

(B) On the basis of growth rates of large modern reptiles such as

Both 'based on' and 'on the basis' means the same thing, that is, c conclusion based on the understanding of some findings. But which one is grammatically correct, or which is more acceptable to GMAT ?

I went for A by the way.

But doesn't (B) mean the same thing ? On the basis of sounds the same of 'based on'.

A has ambiguity but B does not have. So, B should be it.

What is OA?


_________________

Awaiting response,

Thnx & Rgds,
Chandra

Please refer to the following for having the concept clear:

(i) Refer to OG 11 in SC

(ii)Refer to the explanation from webster logs below - I hope it WILL make the answer clear (http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/gram ... ogs426.htm)

<B>
Which of the following is correct? I have found conflicting responses in style and grammar reference books.
Based on our research, additional testing is not necessary.
or
On the basis of our reasearch, additional testing is not necessary.
(According to most books, two (2) is correct, but it sounds wordy, and my grammar check always flags it. In one (1), "based on" is a dangling modifier; it is not an absolute participle. Therefore, it is wrong.
Which is NOW most acceptable. I really want to use one (1). It just sounds tighter, more concise.

GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE
In either case, you have a modifier — either (1) a participial phrase or (2) a prepositional phrase — trying to modify something it can't really modify, "additional testing." Can't we write something like, "On the basis of our research, we feel that additional testing is not necessary"? Or "Our research indicates that additional testing is not necessary"? If that still sounds wordy to you, I vote for your #2, as the dangling modifier in #1 makes it sound as if "additional testing" is "based on our research," which isn't true.
</B>