NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 23:10 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 23:10
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
   1   2 
Tags:
Find Similar Topics 
Show Tags
Hide Tags
User avatar
S
Mavisdu1017
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 10 Aug 2021
Posts: 374
Own Kudos [?]: 35 [1]
Given Kudos: 226
Send PM
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   01 Aug 2022, 04:57
1
Kudos
MartyTargetTestPrep wrote:
Mavisdu1017 wrote:
Hello expert,
Would you like yo throw some light on this question? I saw some people said there needs to be a comma before WHICH clause, but this explanation can not convince me.
Also, I feel there is a problem on E: “sentences allowing them to remain unconfined WHILE performing specific jobs”, there is an omission of subject in WHILE clause, so this means the subject will be the same as the preceding sentence, so the subject should be “community service sentences”. But if so, the meaning is illogical: while community service sentences perform specific jobs.
Eg: Tim is reading while eating. Here the omitted subject in WHILE clause should be “Tim”: Tim is reading while (Tim) is eating.
So confused...Pls help on this expert, and much thanks.

First, let's eliminate (D):

(D) sentences which allow them to remain unconfined in their performing of specific jobs beneficial to the public has

The main issue with this choice is the wording "remain unconfined in their performing of specific jobs."

That wording doesn't effectively convey a logical meaning. After, the idea that someone would remain unconfined in performing a job doesn't make sense since there's no way to be unconfined or confined in performing a job. A person could be confined or unconfined WHILE performing a job, but not IN performing a job.

Now, let's consider (E).

(E) sentences allowing them to remain unconfined while performing specific jobs that benefit the public has

The reduced clause "while performing ..." in (E) modifies "them to remain unconfined," and thus, "them" is the agent of "performing."

So, the meaning conveyed by the (E) version makes sense.

MartyTargetTestPrep got you and I understand now. Much thanks for your input expert.
User avatar
B
cigarboy
Intern
Intern
Joined: 08 Jul 2022
Posts: 33
Own Kudos [?]: 6 [0]
Given Kudos: 368
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1:
615 Q85 V80 DI76
GMAT 1: 490 Q42 V17
GMAT 2: 530 Q44 V20
GMAT 3: 620 Q49 V27
GMAT 4: 610 Q48 V25
Send PM
In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   30 Aug 2022, 12:46
I chose the wrong answer so I thought it would be better to highlight my mistake so others can avoid the same.

the number of...has
a number of....have

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
L
ExpertsGlobal5
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5123
Own Kudos [?]: 4683 [1]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   16 Nov 2022, 03:32
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
Richardson wrote:
In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given community service sentences, which allow the criminals to remain unconfined while they perform specific jobs benefiting the public, have risen dramatically.

(A) sentences, which allow the criminals to remain unconfined while they perform specific jobs benefiting the public, have

(B) sentences, performing specific jobs that benefit the public while being allowed to remain unconfined, have

(C) sentences, performing specific jobs beneficial to the public while they are allowed to remain unconfined, have

(D) sentences which allow them to remain unconfined in their performing of specific jobs beneficial to the public has

(E) sentences allowing them to remain unconfined while performing specific jobs that benefit the public has


Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Awkwardness/Redundancy

A:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun phrase "number of convicted criminals" with the plural verb "have risen".
2/ Option A uses the needlessly wordy constructions "which allow the criminals" and "while they perform", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun phrase "number of convicted criminals" with the plural verb "have risen".
2/ Option B uses the passive voice construction "while being allowed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun phrase "number of convicted criminals" with the plural verb "have risen".
2/ Option C uses the needlessly wordy construction "while they are allowed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D:
1/ This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy constructions "which allow them" and "in their performing", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: Correct.
1/ This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun phrase "number of convicted criminals" with the singular verb "has risen".
2/ Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
User avatar
B
NikhilNideeshwar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 May 2022
Posts: 7
Own Kudos [?]: 2 [0]
Given Kudos: 61
Send PM
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   06 Dec 2022, 03:03
Can someone please help explain why 'them' in options D and E refers to the criminals. Also, what about 'they' in options A and C. Does it not cause ambiguity?
User avatar
L
EducationAisle
CEO
CEO
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Posts: 3675
Own Kudos [?]: 3528 [2]
Given Kudos: 149
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Send PM
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   06 Dec 2022, 05:13
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
NikhilNideeshwar wrote:
Can someone please help explain why 'them' in options D and E refers to the criminals.

Why does "them" refer to criminals and not to (say) years or community service sentences?

Well, because it makes logical sense for "them" to refer to criminals only! It is really as simple as that Nikhil.

Quote:
Also, what about 'they' in options A and C. Does it not cause ambiguity?

Pronoun ambiguity should never be a reason to eliminate an answer choice. Incorrect usage of the verb have is a no-go in these options.
User avatar
B
joe123x
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 Oct 2022
Posts: 90
Own Kudos [?]: 12 [0]
Given Kudos: 53
GMAT 1: 610 Q40 V34
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2023, 12:27
wouldn't (E) like this be better?
(E) sentences, allowing them to remain unconfined while performing specific jobs that benefit the public, has..

why removing the comma here is acceptable? this is a really weird structure to me.
User avatar
L
ExpertsGlobal5
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5123
Own Kudos [?]: 4683 [1]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink] New post   17 Apr 2023, 00:42
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
joe123x wrote:
wouldn't (E) like this be better?
(E) sentences, allowing them to remain unconfined while performing specific jobs that benefit the public, has..

why removing the comma here is acceptable? this is a really weird structure to me.


Hello joe123x,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the difference here is one of meaning: this sentence conveys that the sentences given to the convicts are such that they allow the convicts to remain unconfined while performing specific jobs that benefit the public: "allowing" is a descriptor of the sentence, not of the action of giving the convicts the sentences.

While this is a somewhat awkward way to convey this idea, it is not incorrect.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: In the last few years, the number of convicted criminals given communi [#permalink]
17 Apr 2023, 00:42
   1   2 
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6920 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions