Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephon

Hello Everyone!

This is another tricky GMAT question, so let's tackle it one problem at a time. To start, here is the original question, with any major differences between the options highlighted in orange:

Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

(A) Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become
(D) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone, which has become
(E) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, other than what it is,

There are a few things we can focus on here:

1. Marconi's conception of / Marconi conceived of (Meaning/Clarity)
2. as / to be (Idiom)
3. Endings (Punctuation/Conjunctions/Meaning)

Since #2 on our list will create an "either/or" split, let's start there. No matter which one we choose, it will eliminate 2-3 options right away. This is an issue of idioms! Here is how this particular idiom works:

conceive X as Y = CORRECT
conceive X to be Y = WRONG

So let's see how each option handles this idiom and eliminate the ones that use the wrong structure:

(A) Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is --> OK (doesn't use the idiom)
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is --> OK
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become --> OK
(D) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone, which has become --> WRONG
(E) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, other than what it is, --> WRONG

We can eliminate options D & E because they don't use the idiom "conceived X as Y" properly.

Now, let's go back to #1 on our list: Marconi's conception of vs. Marconi conceived of. This is an issue of clarity and meaning, so let's see which one works best:

(A) Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is

This is INCORRECT because it slightly changes the intended meaning. This sentence says that the conception of the radio is a substitute for the telephone, not the radio itself. Since this isn't as clear as stating that Marconi created the radio, let's rule it out.

(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is

(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become

Let's eliminate option A because it changes the intended meaning.

Now that we're left with only 2 options, let's take a look at both options with the non-underlined parts added in and see if we can spot any problems:

(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

This is INCORRECT because it contains a misleading/misplaced modifier! The phrase "but which is precisely the opposite" SHOULD modify the word "radio." However, the ways this is worded, it actually modifies "telephone," which isn't what we're trying to say is "precisely the opposite" here.

(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

This is CORRECT! It's clear how this is written that the phrase "it has become precisely the opposite" is referring back to the radio. We also don't have any other issues with meaning, modifiers, or punctuation.


There you have it - option C is the correct choice!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone, instead it has become a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Pronouns + Tenses

• "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.
• “conceived as” is the correct, idiomatic usage.
• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.

A: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “Marconi’s conception of the radio was”; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that Marconi's conception of the radio was a substitute for the telephone; the intended meaning is that Marconi conceived of the radio itself as a substitute for the telephone. Further, Option A incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb “is” to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.

B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the noun phrase “substitute for the telephone” with the “which” phrase “but which is”, leading to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone, instead it has become a tool for communicating with a large, public audience; please remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.

C: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “Marconi conceived…that could substitute”, conveying the intended meaning – that Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone. Further, Option C avoids the modifier errors seen in Options B and D, as it uses the independent clause “it has become…a tool for communicating with a large, public audience”, conveying the intended meaning – that the radio has become a tool for communicating with a large, public audience. Additionally, Option C correctly uses the present perfect tense verb “has become” to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present. Besides, Option C correctly uses the idiomatic construction “conceived as”.

D: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the noun “telephone” with the “which” phrase “which is”, incorrectly implying that the telephone has become a tool for communicating with a large, public audience; the intended meaning is the radio has become a tool for communicating with a large, public audience; please remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “conceived to be”; please remember, “conceived as” is the correct, idiomatic usage.

E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “other than what it was”; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone, instead it has become a tool for communicating with a large, public audience. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “conceived to be”; please remember, “conceived as” is the correct, idiomatic usage.

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



To understand the concept of "Which/Who/Whose/Where" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

we have two clauses separated by a semi-colon - and the second clause needs to be in contrast with the first.
Use of a transitional tag "instead" brings out the contrast..and has become says that radio, invented by Marconi, is still in existence.

C is the best

It's C.

Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

- "conceived of" is a correct idiom
- "substitute for" is a correct idiom
- 'tool for private conversation' is || with 'tool for communicating'.
- "it" is used for radio.

Regards,
Brajesh

C

A, D and E are out. Correct idiomn is "concieved of X as Y....." where X and Y are nouns or noun phrases.

Out of B and C, C is fare better.

Does the pronoun modifier - that - always have to modify the noun just before it?

I like ground coffee from India that is very enticing

I believe this sentence to be correct although India may not be very enticing.

Should a pronoun always refer to the subject of the earlier sentence? Not necessarily, It may also stand for the object.

Last week the mail order company sent me a book on grammar; unfortunately it contained anything but grammar.

In this sentence, what does the - it - refer to? The mail- order company? Nay, far from it;

I believe that context is also in contention and not the structure alone.

105. Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become

CONFUSION BETWEEN ANS CHOICE B & C [Error analysis]

Pronoun - Why in ans choice B - Which [ DC ] cant refer to radio
How ans choice C- It in IC 2 refers back to radio?
Modifier- Also there is modifier placement [ a tool for private conversation ] issue with original choice and answer choice C ? Where the modifier should be placed ?
Tense - Use of present perfect tense in correct answer choice C. Can I not use is as mentioned in the origiNal choice and answer choice B ?

Meaning analysis

1. Marconi had a conception of the radio that it could be used as a substitute for telephone
2. But the use of radio is precisely the opposite

Dear gmat2013s,
I'm happy to help.

Question #1
In (B), "which is ..." begins a modifying clause. There are a few problems here. First of all, a modifying clause generally touches the noun is modifies --- the Modifier Touch Rule, and this clause doesn't touch "radio." See this link for more on the Modifier Touch Rule:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/modifiers- ... orrection/
Second, the GMAT uses "which" exclusively for non-restrictive, non-vital modifiers, so this doesn't fit here. For more on these, see:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/that-vs-which-on-the-gmat/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-gramm ... modifiers/
Finally, the use of the "which" clause does something funky to the parallelism. It would be perfectly fine to have two "as" prepositions in parallel, a second one in parallel with "as a tool ..." It would also be perfectly fine to have two independent clauses, as (C) has. The structure in (B) though,
conceived of A as B, but which ...
It is certainly not parallel, and because of this, it feels awkward. We know that the "which" should modify "radio", but that's way over in another part of the sentence, so the antecedent of "which" is grammatically unclear. This is a very poor design for the sentence.

Question #2
Unlike a modifier, a pronoun can appear in a distant part of a sentence, not touching the noun to which it refers. That is a HUGE difference between pronouns and modifiers. After the "but", the "which" is very strange, because it's not touching the thing it modifies, but this is no problem for the pronoun "it."
What is the antecedent of the pronoun "it" in (C)? Well, in the first half of the sentence, there are a few singular nouns, but I would really say that "radio" is the star and focus of the first half. If you had to sum up in one word what the topic of the first half of the sentence was, it's absolutely unambiguous that this one word would be "radio." Therefore, when the "it" appears in the second half, it's absolutely unambiguous that it refers to "radio." What justifies this exclusive focus is not anything in the grammar, but the logic and meaning. Folks mistakenly think that GMAT SC is only about grammar. Not true. Logic and meaning are much much more important than grammar.

Question #3
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, ...
Think about this. Here, the phrase "a tool for private conversation" modifies "telephone", explaining to us what a telephone is. That's ridiculous! What person over the age of six need any explanation about what a telephone is? This is entirely absurd!!
Also, think: did Marconi say "I want to invent a new substitute"? Or did he say, "I want to invent a new tool"? There's something subtly illogical about Marconi conceiving of his invention primarily as a substitute. That's really a level of subtlety a little beyond what the GMAT would test, but notice that incorrect answers on the GMAT SC, in addition to having something 100% clear and bonafide wrong, also are sprinkled with these subtle logical mistakes.
Now, think about (C)'s phrasing:
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone...
This is far superior. Now, the phrase "a tool for private conversation" is how Marconi thought of the radio ---- that's surprising and interesting, because it's different from the way we think about the radio! It's placement here is interesting and thought-provoking. By contrast, it's placement in (B) is mind-numbingly uninteresting. Marconi invents a "tool", and this "tool" can also be a "substitute" --- far more logical.

Question #4
The choice of tense is not black & white. A few different options would be completely acceptable. It would be 100% correct in this context to say:
(a) ... instead, it is precisely the opposite, ...
(b) ... instead, it became precisely the opposite, ..
(c) ... instead, it has become precisely the opposite, ..
The GMAT would not consider any of those "wrong" in the sense of something that would make an answer choice incorrect. Of these three, the present perfect, the third option, is the best. The present perfect tense shows an action that began in the past and, in some way, still continues to the present moment. It is perfect for a situation in which an action happened in the past but the influence of the action continues to the present moment --- in that sense, the action is still "with us." It was a while ago, probably in Marconi's own time, that folks figured out that the radio would not work as a private communication device, and it became a tool for large-scale broadcasting. That happened a while ago, but the effect of that revisioning is still with us, insofar as we still listen to radio and use in precisely the same way in the present day. This situation makes the present perfect tense ideal, although, once again, neither of the other two would be "wrong" on the GMAT. Here's a blog on the perfect tenses:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-verb- ... ct-tenses/

For all these reasons, (B) is highly flawed, and (C) is a wonderfully clear & logical choice.

Does all this make sense?
Mike

Hi E-GMAT,

Could you please explain the sentence structure of the above question listed below and the below listed queries.

Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

A. Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is
B. Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is
C. Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become
D. Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone, which has become
E. Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, other than what it is,

My first query is that isn't "instead" makes the second clause a dependent clause.
Second is noun modifier "a tool for private conversation" isnt it correctly modifying a telephone as mention in option B rather than in C .
Third is in choice C . The what does that modifies ?

Thanks

Hi Nitinaka19,

Answer 1: The word “instead” does not make clause because it is an “adverb”. For example,

Slowly, he finished the hot chocolate.

This sentence is an independent clause. Yes, it starts with the adverb “slowly”. However, adjectives and adverbs do not make a clause a Dependent clause.

Answer 2: Well yes, in Choice B, “a tool for private conversation modifies “telephone”. However, Choice B is not incorrect for this modifier. It is incorrect for the use of “which”. Notice that “which” is preceded by a parallel marker “but”. Now this “which” clause is not parallel to anything in the sentence. That’s the error in Choice B.

Answer C: In Choice C, the “that” clause modifies “a tool for private conversation” because grammatically, that’s the entity that precedes the Relative Pronoun “that”. However, logically it modifies “radio” because the sentence says that Marconi conceived of radio as a tool…. This means radio = a tool for private conversation. So logically “that” refers to “radio” as well.

You can take a look at OG13#6 where another Noun Modifier (Verb-ed Modifier) grammatically refers to the preceding Noun Entity that in essence refers back to the Subject of the sentence.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha

Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

(A) Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation; instead, it is
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the
telephone; instead, it has become
(D) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the
telephone, which has become
(E) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation, other than what it is,

Meaning : Marconi’s conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation and he thought radio as a substitute for telephone. But radio became a tool for mass communication

Option A) Holding option A
Option B) If we remove the modifier “a tool for private conversation”. The sentence becomes
“Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone but which is”
which replaces telephone and makes the sentence nonsensical.
Option C) Holding option C)
Option D) Same issue as that of Option B)
Option E) “other than what it is” is wordy and can be replaced with instead.

I am confused between Option A and option C)

Meaning analysis of Option A):
Marconi conceptualized radio as a substitute of telephone. Now the modifier “a tool for private
conversation” provides more information about telephone. “it” logically refers to radio.
tense is present for the second half – which seems ok as the statement is made in present tense.

Meaning analysis of Option C)
Marconi conceptualized radio as a tool for private conversation and radio could substitute for the telephone. “it” logically refers to radio.
tense is present perfect -> that seems ok as the radio has been working as a mass communication since inception.

Please clarify.

The modifier "a tool for private conversation" is a culprit in this choice. This modifier is intended for "radio", Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation. However, "it" (radio) has become just the opposite, "a tool for communicating with a large, public audience". This is the intended meaning of the sentence that is correctly expressed by Choice C.

Also, the use of "is" is not appropriate in Choice A. Use of simple present present tense makes this a universal fact. In choice C, "has become" clearly shows that what it was meant to be but what it has eventually become.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha

Hi Nishant,
Thank you for posting your query here and a very good analysis I must say!


SENTENCE STRUCTURE

• Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation:
• instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.


OPTION A: Incorrect

1) The way this sentence is worded, it suggests that Marconi’s conception was a substitute for the telephone. This meaning is absolutely illogical because an idea cannot be a substitute for a tool. From the context, we can understand that the radio was conceived as a substitute for the telephone. Hence, this sentence has meaning error.
2) The pronoun “it” seems to illogically refer to “Marconi’s conception”.

The Noun + Noun modifier “a tool for private conversation” modifies “telephone” correctly, since logically we know that radio is not a tool for private conversation.


OPTION B: Incorrect

1) “but” acts as a parallel market in this choice and is followed by a “which” clause. However, this “which” clause is not parallel to anything that lies on the left side of the marker.
2) Also, it is not clear what the modifier “which” refers to in this sentence. It can either refer to “radio” or to “telephone”.

As you have mentioned, “but” should be followed by an independent clause. However, the clause starting with “which” is not an independent clause.


OPTION C: Correct

This option changes the subject from “Marconi’s conception” to “Marconi”. This removes the meaning error of the original sentence.
Also, “it” in the second clause clearly refers to radio.

Here, “that” doesn’t refer to radio. It refers to “a tool for private conversation”.


OPTION D: Incorrect

1) “Conceived of X to be Y” is incorrect idiomatic usage. The correct usage is “conceived of X as Y”.
2) The relative pronoun modifier “which” seems to modify “telephone”. This gives an illogical meaning.
Note that, “which” can’t jump over “to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone” and modify “radio” since this modifier is not one unified phrase.


OPTION E: Incorrect

1) This choice repeats the idiom error of option D.
2) The phrase “other than what” is wordy and redundant. It gives the meaning similar to “precisely the opposite”.



Hope this helps!
Deepak

Can someone please explain the error in option B. I read MGMAT and BTG explanation regarding the same but its still not clear to me.

Marconi’s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.
B. Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is


As per Ron


After cutting the fluff:
Marconi conceived of the radio
as a substitute for the telephone
but which
is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

Does this mean
X conceived of Y as Z but <..>
What follows but shall be || to Z.

Please add or correct my reasoning.

Option C : Correct:
Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone;
instead, it has become precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.

Hi JarvisR, B mentions: ....but which is...

Whenever we have this kind of structure (but which, and that, but that etc.), there has to be a corresponding parallel structure to the left of the conjunction (and/but).

In B, there is no corresponding parallel structure on the left hand side of but. Hence, B is not correct.

I appreciate your inputs on the shared query.

This seems to be in line with Ron's explanation. Can u please confirm, if i understood it correctly (i have mentioned the structure breakdown in my original post).

Also, some of the posts point that "which" links to telephone. To me its ambiguous, can be telephone/radio.

Hi JarvisR, you mention:

What follows but shall be || to Z.

As I mentioned in my above post, what follows but is: which is..., and so, there has to be a corresponding which structure on the Left hand side of but.

Currently, there is no "which" structure on the Left hand side of but. In other words, what follows but is actually not parallel to anything; in fact, that is the problem with B.

So, it would not be appropriate to mention that what follows but is parallel to Z.