prasanthmgks wrote:
Hi
I read
MGMAT SC. It was really useful to learn the commonly tested GMAT concepts. While dealing with modifier I got stuck with few doubts.
1. In some of the materials, it is mentioned that relative pronoun “that” can be used both as singular and plural. Please clarify whether it is singular or plural. Also can you list out the commonly tested singular and plural pronouns and relative pronouns?
2. Use of the present participle modifier is very ambiguous.
For example, consider the following sentence
Crime has recently decreased in our neighborhood, leading to a rise in property values.
It is very clear in this that “leading to a rise in property values” modifies “decrease in the crime”. But in some of the explanation of
OG 13, clearly states that present participle modifiers like this will modify the subject of the main clause. In this case, subject is “Crime”, so the above sentence is wrong or what?
Please help
Regards
Shiv
Let me shed some light on your doubts. As is the case with many English rules, there are exceptions and some rules are pretty flexible. Learn the general concepts and become aware of how the GMAT will test you.
1-Yes, "that" can be used for both plural and singular antecedents. "The pen that I just bought is out of ink." [pen is singular] "The pens that I just bought run out of ink quickly." [pens are plural] Since "that" is flexible with singular/plural nouns and you won't have to look for agreement errors with "that".
2-Yes, present participle modifiers (-ing verbs) are ambiguous/flexible. When you have a comma + present participle it is an adverbial modifier that modifies a verb or the whole preceding clause, indicating the result of that preceding clause (notice my use of present participle modifier here as a modifier of the preceding clause). In your example, the participle modifier definitely modifies the preceding clause and that is common to see on the GMAT.
Modifier rules can be tricky, but you are right to ask questions about the areas where you feel doubt. Modifiers represent one of the harder content areas of SC grammar and also represent a key portion of meaning questions. Master modifiers and you are on your way to SC success...
KW