Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Ju

Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and figure out the correct choice! First, let's take a quick look at the original question, and highlight any obvious differences between the options in orange:

Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.

(A) Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
(B) Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
(C) In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
(D) The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
(E) Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Whenever you see the entire sentence underlined, you have to think about both the minor differences between the options and the overall grammar issue the entire sentence deals with:

1. that orbit / to orbit (idioms)
2. having been named / named / which was named (verb tense)

...and our overall grammar concept?

3. Modifiers (placement and usage)

To begin, let's start with #1 on our list: that orbit vs. to orbit. This is an easy one that will knock 2-3 options out of contention quickly. It is idiomatically correct to say that "objects that orbit" and not "objects to orbit." So, let's see which options do this correctly:

(A) Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
(B) Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
(C) In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
(D) The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
(E) Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

We can eliminate options D & E because they don't use the right idiom "that orbit." How easy was that? Sometimes, starting with the simplest differences can rule out several wrong options without much effort!

Now that we're down to 3 options, let's focus on #2: verb tense. We know that these events happened in a particular order:

1. An asteroid was discovered in 1884.
2. The asteroid was named Ida after a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
3. Ida is located in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Let's make sure that the verb tenses throughout each sentence tell the events in the right order, and don't create any confusion:

(A) Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.

This is INCORRECT because it puts the events in the wrong order! By using the past perfect "having been named," this suggests that the asteroid was named Ida BEFORE it was discovered?? That doesn't make sense, does it? Let's eliminate this one.

(B) Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

This is CORRECT! The past tense "discovered" clearly shows that the asteroid was discovered in the past. The word "named" here is being used as a modifier, so it's fine how it is. We also like the use of the present tense "is" to show that Ida is still currently located in the same place, which makes sense!

(C) In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.

This is INCORRECT because it's a sentence fragment! We have two modifiers (highlighted in red), and a subject - but it's missing a verb altogether!

There you go - option B is the correct choice! It uses the right idiom "that orbit" and it's a complete sentence with the right verb tenses!


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 of the sentence is key to solving this question; the intended meaning is that the asteroid lda was discovered in 1984 and then named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, and the asteroid is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Tenses + Grammatical Construction

• The infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the intent/purpose of an action.

A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “Having been named...”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the asteroid Ida was first named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, and then discovered in 1984; the intended meaning is that the asteroid Ida was first discovered in 1984, and then named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.

B: Correct. This answer choice acts upon the independent subject “the asteroid Ida” with the active verb “is” to form a complete thought, leading to a complete sentence. Further, Option B uses the phrase “named for”, conveying the intended meaning – the asteroid Ida was first discovered in 1984, and then named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter. Moreover, Option B uses the phrase “that orbit”, conveying the intended meaning – that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of that specific belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

C: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; as “discovered” and “named” are both modifiers, there is no active verb to act upon the subject “the asteroid lda”.

D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter”; the use of the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) illogically implies that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of the belt of asteroids for the purpose of orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; the intended meaning is that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of that specific belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; remember, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the intent/purpose of an action.

E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter”; the use of the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) illogically implies that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of the belt of asteroids for the purpose of orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; the intended meaning is that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of that specific belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; remember, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the intent/purpose of an action.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Meaning analysis:
1. Asteroid Ida is in the middle of belt of asteroids that orbit the sun between mars and Jupiter.
2. Asteroid Ida was discovered in 1884
3. It is named for a for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter

Error :
1. Having been – “is not correct, it happened in past.” Named is better option.
2. Modifier issue “Having been “ should modify specific noun Ida (Ida was named, not asteroid was named) , I am not sure if this is correct, but if better construction is found then it should be given preference.

POE.
A. Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.

B. Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Correct
Discovered in 1884 (Ved modifier modifying asteroid),
the asteroid lda,
named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter (modifier modifying Ida),
is (verb for singular subject Ida) in the middle of the belt of asteroids
that orbit (plural verb for plural subject asteroids) the Sun between Mars and Jupiter



C. In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
There is no verb at all
If we remove the fluff – sentence will be “the asteroid discovered and named”
discovered and named are not Verb but Ved modifier.
Incorrect – No Verb error

D. The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Everything is correct till “belt of asteroids”, we need to describe the belt of asteroids,
Meaning error “Ida is in the middle of belt to orbit the sun between mars and Jupiter” this is not intended meaning
Incorrect – meaning error


E. Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Meaning error “Ida is in the middle of belt to orbit the sun between mars and Jupiter” this is not intended meaning
Parallelism error – Ida “ an asteroid discovered in 1884” (noun phrase) cannot be made parallel “Which was named .. “ relative clause modifier.
Incorrect – Meaning , Parallelism

The trick of the trade in dealing with such multiple modifiers is to stick to the main objective; you might do well to fix the main subject and its core activity and ignore all the modifiers for the time being.
Here 'Ida' is the subject and its core activity is that it is in the midst of more such asteroids that also orbit the sun. The core activity should be given a verb status. In addition, to orbit will be out of sync as pointed out by others as there is no intention or purpose involved.

A. Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884. --- The core activity that Ida is in the midst of other asteroids is just expressed a in prepositional modifier without the verb ‘is’

B. Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. --- Correct expression of core activity; best fit

C. In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter. Job made easy; this is a fragment

D. The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. ‘to orbit’ is the culprit
E. Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. --- ‘to orbit’ is the culprit

Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
A. Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
B. Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
C. In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
D. The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
E. Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.



First Glance: "Having..." is a modifier that must modify the subject immediately. The modifier's intent is to express who Ida was named after, but the modifier is modifying "the asteroid named Ida", which creates an awkward and incorrect combination. Eliminate A
Scanning B-E: Eliminate C for the missing verb error. Eliminate D and E for is...to orbit (the infinitive form is used to show intent/purpose and this is incorrect in the sentence's context).
B is correct: S-V make grammatical and logical sense. Modifiers appropriately modify "the asteroid Ida".

Quick 'IN' & 'OUT' strategy:

Meaning - The sentence gives information about "Asteroid Ida" - discovery, naming of the asteroid, and its orbit.

A. "Having Construction" - Wrong modifier . Typically "having constructions" are wrong in Sc.

B. Looks fine

C. No verb - Incomplete sentence

D. Logically not parallel (It needs to be first discovered and then named)

Another error is the "To orbit" construction - illogical

E. Typically "Which" in GMAT Sc is always preceded by , or preposition. (Another error is the "To orbit" construction - illogical)

This option is having neither.

Correct Answer "B"

(A) Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.

Having Been creates a timeline in the past which referes that Action A happens before Action B in the past.

Here it means -

Naming the mythological Nymph------------Discovery of the asteroid named IDA.

(B) Discovered in 1884, the asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Correct.!!

(C) In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid Ida, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.

Seems like a jumbled sentence - Wordy and Awkward.

(D) The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Incorrect. ( highhlighted portions)

(E) Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter

Incorrect ( highhlighted portions)

Hence IMHO (B)

My analysis:

A- having been is incorrect.
B- correct in all respect.
c- has no main verb.
d- to orbit is incorrect.
e- which was and to orbit are wrong.

I hope this makes sense.

Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.

A) Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.



My question is regarding choice A. Are you allowed to have a modifier that begins with a preposition as in the highlighted one above?

Dear schelljo,

I'm happy to respond.

The short answer is: YES. Any phrase inside a pair of commas, set off from the grammatical flow of the rest of the sentence, is known rhetorically as an aside. It's a way to add extra information to the sentence that is not essential to the overall grammatical flow of the sentence. Yes, this could be a prepositional phrase or series of prepositional phrases, or any other noun-modify or verb-modifying phrase or clause.

Does this make sense?
Mike

still not convinced why answer A is incorrect. " need more solid explanations than "having doesn't sound right"

"Having" + participle is used to depict a completed event, e.g.,
Having finished my lunch, I left for the station...... implies that AFTER I fnished my lunch, I left for the station.


The structure of option A is as follows:
Having been named for a nymph, the asteroid was discovered.
The above implies that the AFTER the asteroid was named, it was discovered. This is absurd because naming cannot happen before an asteroid is discovered.

GMATNinja, mikemcgarry, Hey, Can you please help me with the errors in D. One error which i have understood is that the usage of "to orbit" is incorrect.

Can you please comment on the parallelism in the noun modifier "named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884"

Thanks in Advance.

The use of "to orbit" is the most glaring issue in (D). If I write, "Tim is in class to learn," I'm communicating that Tim has a conscious intent and motivation for being in class -- in other words, he wants to learn. Similarly, in "The asteroid Ida is in the middle of the belt of asteroids...to orbit the sun," it sounds as the asteroid is a conscious entity that's placed itself in the middle of this belt because it wishes to orbit the sun. Outside of science fiction or maybe a Michael Bay movie, a conscious asteroid is not logical.

As for "and discovered" I wouldn't say that it's wrong so much as it is confusing. In "named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884," the "and" is a parallel marker. At first glance, it appears as though "discovered" is parallel to the verb "cared," and we're getting ready to figure out what this nymph discovered -- except that the nymph didn't discover anything. In reality, it only makes sense for "discovered" to be parallel to the modifier "named," but it's very difficult to see this without rereading the sentence a few times. The OA doesn't create the same confusion, and that's a big part of why (B) is correct.

I hope this helps!

B. Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Would anyone please advise the point I am missing? Since the main verb of this sentence is present tense (is), the participle phrase "Discovered in 1884," means "the asteroid Ida is discovered in 1884", which does not make sense. That is why I thought "Having been discovered in 1884," would be correct, and B was wrong... Am I making a misunderstanding?

Thank you for your help!

Hi kazup,

Discovered is a (past participle) modifier. It doesn't really have a tense the way that verbs do. But you already seem to know that, so I'm not sure how you arrived at the rest of what you wrote in your post. Have you come across a "rule" like that somewhere?

Hello AjiteshArun, thank you very much for your reply!

As for the participle clause, I learned the following rule from a book: "Participle clauses do not have a specific tense. The tense is indicated by the verb in the main clause."

I thought "Discovered in 1884" was a participle clause but is it just an adjective phrase modifying "Ida"? (maybe that is why I was confusing.. !)