Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 05:20 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 05:20
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
DG1989
Joined: 16 Feb 2023
Last visit: 24 Dec 2024
Posts: 140
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: Kellogg '26
GPA: 4
Schools: Kellogg '26
Posts: 140
Kudos: 303
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
anu21v
Joined: 07 Jun 2012
Last visit: 30 Dec 2024
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
Posts: 23
Kudos: 20
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
pudu
Joined: 12 Mar 2023
Last visit: 06 Mar 2024
Posts: 234
Own Kudos:
120
 [1]
Given Kudos: 16
Location: India
Posts: 234
Kudos: 120
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Kinshook
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,794
Own Kudos:
5,509
 [1]
Given Kudos: 161
Location: India
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
WE:Engineering (Transportation)
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 5,794
Kudos: 5,509
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted
that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it,
slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

Quote:
(A) would gradually undermine it
Concise and correct

Quote:
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
Option A is more concise and correct in meaning.
Incorrect

Quote:
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
Option A is more concise and correct in meaning. This option is more verbose.
Incorrect

Quote:
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
There is no verb in this option.
Incorrect

Quote:
(E) gradually undermining it
There is no verb in this option.
Incorrect

IMO A
User avatar
pintukr
Joined: 03 Jul 2022
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,590
Own Kudos:
1,089
 [1]
Given Kudos: 22
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Products:
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Posts: 1,590
Kudos: 1,089
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it
correct usage of 'would' to depict prediction/possibility is correct; correct depiction of meaning

(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
awkward grammatical structure --- 'would gradually undermine' is better

(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
'would gradually undermine' needs to replace 'would be a gradual undermining of

(D) to gradually undermine slavery
no 'purpose' depiction in the meaning -- hence, use of infinitive 'to' is incorrect

(E) gradually undermining it
also, there is no 'cause and effect' depiction in the meaning -- hence, incorrect usage


(A) is the CORRECT answer
User avatar
Piran
Joined: 24 Aug 2022
Last visit: 22 Feb 2025
Posts: 24
Own Kudos:
27
 [1]
Given Kudos: 34
GMAT 1: 620 Q44 V31
GMAT 2: 660 Q49 V31
GMAT 2: 660 Q49 V31
Posts: 24
Kudos: 27
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it
This is Correct.
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
This is Incorrect as to be is not needed.
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
This is Incorrect as to be is not needed.
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
This is Incorrect as slavery is repeated.
(E) gradually undermining it
This is Incorrect as it is awkward and idiomatically not sound.
Correct Answer = A
User avatar
Arpit_Bhardwaj
Joined: 13 Jun 2023
Last visit: 08 Sep 2023
Posts: 41
Own Kudos:
37
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 41
Kudos: 37
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Undermine should be used as a verb and hence B and D are incorrect. Analizing rest.

(A) Seems to be correct with no errors.
(C) The use of be changes the meaning and hence incorrect.
(E) logically makes no sense
User avatar
kchaudhary13
Joined: 19 Jun 2022
Last visit: 20 Sep 2023
Posts: 20
Own Kudos:
4
 [1]
Given Kudos: 19
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Marketing
Schools: Kellogg
GPA: 3.85
WE:Management Consulting (Computer Software)
Schools: Kellogg
Posts: 20
Kudos: 4
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it
correct usage.
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
a verb is needed after "that manumission and the blockading of slave ships" (will or would)
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
redundancy due to the usage of slavery" would be a gradual undermining of slavery, slavery continued to be the dominant "
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
redundancy due to the usage of slavery" to gradually undermine slavery, slavery continued to be the dominant "
(E) gradually undermining it
Again (will or would)verb is needed.


ANS A
User avatar
Niddd
Joined: 22 Dec 2022
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 30
Own Kudos:
71
 [1]
Given Kudos: 166
Posts: 30
Kudos: 71
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
(A) would gradually undermine it
Correct! "it" works here as it refers to "slavery". As the sentence speaks of a prediction, something which is not definite, one is dealing with the hypothetical and therefore the use of "would" is needed and is correctly used here..

(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
Prior, in the un-underlined part, one can see "predicted that" links to "to be". Looking at this part in a simple format: "predicted that x to be y" one sees that this does not work as "predicted that" creates a hypothetical and therefore this sentence requires "would" instead of "to be".

(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
This choice is far wordier than choice (A).

(D) to gradually undermine slavery
Very similar issue as (B). Due to dealing with a hypothetical action which was predicted to occur, one needs to use "would" and not "to".

(E) gradually undermining it
"...predicted that [x] gradually undermining it" is illogical and grammatically incorrect. One cannot use "undermining" on its own when referring to a hypothetical action.

ANSWER A
User avatar
vjbhagat
Joined: 11 Dec 2022
Last visit: 31 Mar 2025
Posts: 36
Own Kudos:
77
 [1]
Given Kudos: 10
GMAT Focus 1: 705 Q90 V84 DI81
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
Products:
GMAT Focus 1: 705 Q90 V84 DI81
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
Posts: 36
Kudos: 77
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
(A) This statement is regarding the prediction by abolitionists in late 1700s, so the use of "would" is correct in this sentence. Also "it" refers to "slavery" which is mentioned after comma, and there is no meaning issue in this sentence. Hence this is the correct answer.

(B) How can some actions be "gradual undermining" of "slavery", they can "gradually undermine" it. Hence this option is wrong.

(C) As explained in statement (B), this sentence also does no make logical sense. Hence this is wrong option.

(D) "..... to gradually undermine slavery, slavery continued to be ....." There is unnecessary repetition of "slavery" in this sentence, when we can understand by use of "it" that the first sentence before comma is talking about "slavery". Hence this option is wrong.

(E) There is no main verb in the sentence before comma, hence this is wrong option
User avatar
NoobGmatTaker
Joined: 09 Jul 2023
Last visit: 25 Oct 2025
Posts: 28
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 23
Posts: 28
Kudos: 53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The original sentence is grammatically correct, but it is a bit wordy. The phrase "would gradually undermine it" is a bit repetitive, and it can be replaced with the more concise phrase "would be a gradual undermining of slavery."

The other answer choices are not as good as (C).

(A) repeats the original phrase, which is wordy.
(B) is also wordy, and it changes the meaning of the sentence slightly. The original sentence says that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine slavery. The answer choice (B) says that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would be a gradual undermining of slavery. This means that slavery would still exist, but it would be gradually undermined. The original sentence does not say this.
(C) is the same as the original sentence, which is wordy.
(D) changes the verb tense from "would" to "to." This is not a grammatically correct change, and it does not improve the sentence.


Therefore, the answer is (E).
User avatar
pinkguy
Joined: 18 Feb 2023
Last visit: 09 Oct 2025
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Posts: 29
Kudos: 59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
-We must answer what is "it" here. It can't be "ships", since "ships" are plural. It can't be "slavery", since "slavery" stands after "it"=>The use of "it" is incorrect.
=>We can eliminate A),B)
C) Correct. The meaning is correct. Although the word "slavery" is repeated twice, it is not a big problem here.
D) Incorrect. "predict that" must be followed by a clause.
E) Incorrect. "predict that" must be followed by a clause.
The answer is C
User avatar
rajtare
Joined: 05 Nov 2014
Last visit: 17 Nov 2025
Posts: 183
Own Kudos:
272
 [1]
Given Kudos: 12
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Leadership
GPA: 3.99
Products:
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
(E) gradually undermining it


 


This question was provided by Experts Global
for the Around the World in 80 Questions

Win over $20,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 



(A) would gradually undermine it - correct - Usage of it is correct it refers to slavery (delayed subject)
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it - Incorrect - Incorrect - the usage of infinitive is not correct here , since we are referring future in the past so we need would.
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery - Incorrect - unnecessary repeating of slavery after undermining part
(D) to gradually undermine slavery - Incorrect - the usage of infinitive is not correct here , since we are referring future in the past so we need would.
(E) gradually undermining it - Incorrect -relative is missing the verb, and becomes a one big phrase
User avatar
frappuchino
Joined: 17 Dec 2022
Last visit: 19 Jun 2025
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
28
 [1]
Given Kudos: 883
Concentration: Marketing, Strategy
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40
GPA: 3.2
WE:Public Relations (Real Estate)
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40
Posts: 25
Kudos: 28
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
(E) gradually undermining it


 


This question was provided by Experts Global
for the Around the World in 80 Questions

Win over $20,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 


(A) would gradually undermine it
Stylistically and logically correct, keep.

(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
Unidiomatic. Eliminate

(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
Redundant. Eliminate

(D) to gradually undermine slavery
Redundant. Eliminate

(E) gradually undermining it
Unidiomatic. Eliminate
User avatar
NaiX2
Joined: 09 Jun 2023
Last visit: 30 Oct 2023
Posts: 24
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 60
Location: Kenya
GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V40
GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V40
Posts: 24
Kudos: 25
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The correct answer choice is (D) to gradually undermine slavery.

The sentence is discussing the predictions made by British and French abolitionists in the late 1700s. The phrase "predicted that" indicates that the abolitionists believed that certain actions, such as manumission (the act of freeing slaves) and the blockading of slave ships, would have a gradual undermining effect on slavery. Therefore, the correct answer choice should reflect this idea.

Option (A) "would gradually undermine it" is incorrect because it does not accurately convey the ongoing process of undermining slavery. It suggests a one-time event rather than a continuous process.

Option (B) "to be a gradual undermining of it" is incorrect because it introduces unnecessary phrasing that makes the sentence less concise and clear.

Option (C) "would be a gradual undermining of slavery" is incorrect because it changes the meaning of the sentence. The original sentence is discussing the predictions made by the abolitionists, not the actual process of undermining slavery.

Option (E) "gradually undermining it" is incorrect because it lacks the verb form necessary to indicate the ongoing process of undermining slavery.

Therefore, option (D) "to gradually undermine slavery" is the correct answer choice as it accurately reflects the predictions made by the abolitionists and the gradual nature of the undermining process.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
ifyouknowyouknow
Joined: 08 Sep 2018
Last visit: 07 Jul 2024
Posts: 83
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 107
Location: India
Concentration: Operations
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 83
Kudos: 57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
(E) gradually undermining it


 


This question was provided by Experts Global
for the Around the World in 80 Questions

Win over $20,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 


When the future is indicated from the point of view of the past. Simple future is not used. Instead conditional is used.

(A) would gradually undermine it
Instead of the pronoun "it", we need the noun. The use of "it" leads to confusion. Eliminate this option.
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
We need conditional "would" here. Eliminate this option.
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
It correctly uses conditional "would" for a future event indicated from the point of view of the past. The use of noun "slavery" is correct. Keep this option.
(D) to gradually undermine slavery
We need conditional "would" here. Eliminate this option.
(E) gradually undermining it
We need conditional "would" here. Eliminate this option.

Option C is the correct answer.
User avatar
abhishekdaga
Joined: 08 Nov 2011
Last visit: 09 Oct 2024
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
14
 [1]
Given Kudos: 9
Posts: 9
Kudos: 14
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Option A is correct.

It gives direct meaning to the sentence without changing the form.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
vidyadharvp
Joined: 21 May 2018
Last visit: 21 Aug 2023
Posts: 22
Own Kudos:
51
 [1]
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 22
Kudos: 51
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
(A) would gradually undermine it
Correct

(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
usage of to be shifts the intended meaning

(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery
Sight meaning shift. It's also not concise in conveying the intended meaning

(D) to gradually undermine slavery
Usage of to shifts the intended meaning

(E) gradually undermining it
This seems to suggest that undermining is modifying ships. Not the intended meaning
User avatar
Catman
Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Last visit: 12 Feb 2025
Posts: 320
Own Kudos:
328
 [1]
Given Kudos: 219
Products:
Posts: 320
Kudos: 328
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

(A) would gradually undermine it Correct " it should be used after slavery has been used"

(B) to be a gradual undermining of it ~ Incorrect " Wordy, A is better"

(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery " Incorrect use of article "a" gradual.

(D) to gradually undermine slavery ~ Incorrect, "to gradually" not the right structure

(E) gradually undermining it ~ Incorrect " it may refer to the blockading of ships which change the intended meaning"

IMO A.
User avatar
snoep
Joined: 17 Jul 2014
Last visit: 01 Jan 2024
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
175
 [1]
Given Kudos: 320
Posts: 150
Kudos: 175
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lthough British and French abolitionists of the late 1700s predicted that manumission and the blockading of slave ships would gradually undermine it, slavery continued to be the dominant cultural and economic force in southern America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.
undermine - verb
undermining - noun/ adjective - this could also mean gradually
gradually is adverb
gradual - adjective/noun

(A) would gradually undermine it - 'would' denotes the prediction, 'it' refers to slavery , undermine and continue to be - are parallel, keep the answer choice
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it - undermining and continue to be - tense not parallel, undermining is a noun
(C) would be a gradual undermining of slavery - redundant slavery not needed, pronoun is needed
(D) to gradually undermine slavery - redundant slavery not needed
(E) gradually undermining it - gradually adverb modifies the undermining noun

Answer: A
   1   2   3   4   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7443 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
231 posts
188 posts