A recent research paper, submitted by a team of noted psychologists an

Question

A recent research paper, submitted by a team of noted psychologists and neurologists, on kleptomania suggests that it is a mental disorder and appeals that the law should distinguish  “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions

A. “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions
B. “theft addicts”, intentionally stealing for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions
C. between “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, and kleptomaniacs, who are unaware of their actions
D. between “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions
E. “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, and kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions

Source - expert global

Aadhitthyaa · Answer

Can someone elaborate why A is preferred over C ?

ankitsaroha · Answer

Answer is A.

Both "Distinguish X from Y" and "Distinguish between X and Y" are correct.
The word "often" is missing in option C, so, option C has a slightly different meaning.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

hiranmay · Answer

A recent research paper, submitted by a team of noted psychologists and neurologists, on kleptomania suggests that it is a mental disorder and appeals that the law should distinguish  “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions  .

A. “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions -->  correct : "distinguish A from B' os the correct idiom
B. “theft addicts”,  intentionally stealing  for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs,  who are  often unaware of their actions --> (1) comma+ ing doesn't modify the touched noun, & (2) not parallel like "noun, who .. , from noun, who.." as in  A 
C. between “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, and kleptomaniacs, who are unaware of their actions --> no " from "
D. between “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, from kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions --> " between ... and " missing
E. “theft addicts”, who intentionally steal for monetary gains, and kleptomaniacs, who are often unaware of their actions --> no " from "

daagh · Answer

If the kleptomaniac is only often unaware but if he is aware sometimes then it may not be prudent to grant him amnesty by law. Perhaps C is better since it misses the word'often'

aggvipul · Answer

Though distinguish X from Y is oftenly used but this is wrong and the correct idiomatic usage is - distinguish + between + X + and + Y
Hence, C is the only qualifying option as per grammatical rules.

Srajagopal21 · Answer

So, would you agree that Distinguish A from B is not idiomatic?

daagh · Answer

I wouldn't think so. You distinguish between X, Y, when you consider X, and Y in their entireties, arrive at the sum of their several similarities and dissimilarities but not just one particular trait. 
On the other hand, if you consider only one or two characters from among the several others of X and Y, then you are distinguishing one from the other

In the given case, we are not considering a general outlook of habitual thieves from unintending people. This is one specific attribute, and hence I vote 'distinguish … from.' 
My previous writing was not focused on idiomatic appropriateness but legal vulnerability.

Srajagopal21 · Answer

Awesome! Thank you for the detailed explanation!

Princ · Answer

egmat  
Can you confirm whether "Distinguish X from Y" is correct idiom or not.

pallavisatsangi · Answer

I came to option A by framing the sentence as

you distinguish A  from  B
Hence C,D,E got eliminated.
Between A and B , B used continuous tense which did not fit . Hence I chose A

sidsst · Answer

Please explain why option C is not being preferred as the correct answer choice here.

daagh · Answer

C misses the word 'often' from the original, which is a crucial error in addition to the 'distinguish... between' nuance

Princ · Answer

aragonn

Please share OE

Maxximus · Answer

Great explanation. This should quite settle the debate. Further, regarding whether the sentence is better with the term "often" or without it, the argument that skipping the term "often" would lead to a stronger case for the appeal is not a matured one; the appeal would be valid even if the unawareness is often (and not always). The usage of the term "often" needs to be looked at from the view of the characteristics of the kleptomaniacs; to claim that they are "always" (and not often) unaware would be too strong to be true and hence, the usage of the term "often" is desired. Tip: when in doubt, go with the meaning in the original sentence; GMAT will not test you on such nuanced reasoning as highlighted above; hence, we have deliberately kept the term "often" in choice A and not C; else, yes, the question would be more difficult but less GMAT-like

. Having the term "often" in A serves as a hint, to the candidates, of the intended meaning without getting into the nuanced highlighted reasoning above. Here is the official explanation- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmHNTSWtUA All the best! Experts' Global team

TaizKaran · Answer

egmat  Sir/Ma'am I clearly remember that according to your Verbal Only course Distinguish X from Y is used very often but is incorrect. But in this question option A is the OA. Can you please help ?

Other experts please help.  Magoosh   GMATNinja   VeritasKarishma   ManhattanPrep

Maxximus · Answer

Hello,

Both usages are acceptable. Besides, GMAT will never ask you to choose purely between "distinguish between..." and "distinguish from"; if you are caught between these two, you need to look for a fundamental, conceptual error.

A general note- 
Generally, idioms should not be considered deal-breakers/makers and core, conceptual reasons should be preferred for elimination.

Nonetheless, here is a short video to clarify your query about the usage of "distinguish"--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vGydsD2k20

Hope this helps.

All the best!
Experts' Global

saipk · Answer

Doesn't distinguish A from B mean A is a sub-set of B?

daagh

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

A recent research paper, submitted by a team of noted psychologists an

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

A recent research paper, submitted by a team of noted psychologists an

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards