After the passage of a new law requiring travel allowances and similar

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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-


Choice A: In Option A, it is not clear whether the pronoun "themselves" refers to the employees or the companies. Moreover, in the phrase "to directly purchase" we see a split infinitive. Split infinitives are verb forms, wherein an adverb is inserted into the infinitive, or to + verb form. Although split infinitives are often used colloquially, it is not considered proper to use them in formal English. Thus, Option A is incorrect.

Choice B: Option B conveys the intended meaning of the sentence, without ambiguity or redundancy. Thus, Option B is correct.

Choice C: In Option C, the pronoun "themselves" is redundant as the use of “directly” makes it clear that the companies began to purchase the travel fare. Thus, Option C is not a good answer choice.

Choice D: Option D repeats the same pronoun ambiguity error that Option A makes. Thus, Option D is incorrect.

Choice E: Option E fails to convey the intended meaning of the sentence; due to its placement, "directly" modifies the verb "travel" rather than the verb "purchase". Thus, the sentence changes to mean that the employees are traveling directly, rather than that the companies are making the purchases directly. Therefore, Option E is incorrect.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of “Avoiding Pronoun Ambiguity on GMAT”, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team