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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 05 Aug 2022, 05:55
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InLimbo
ExpertsGlobal5

So the takeaway is that it isn't an absolute rule and shouldn't be treated as low-hanging fruit. Instead, the POE remains misplaced modifiers, pronoun error (They), and the absolute error with 'which'.

Redundancy in a correct logical (meaning-wise) answer choice shouldn't be an issue as long as there isn't any other more concise absolute error-free answer choice?

Thank you again for responding :)
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Hello InLimbo,

Yes, this is exactly the right takeaway here.

Redundancy or awkwardness is NOT a dealbreaker on the GMAT; an answer choice can be wordy or sound a bit strange and still be the best option.

Redundancy and other stylistic elements should only be taken into account in order to determine the best among answer choices that are otherwise entirely error-free.

All the best!
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 07 Aug 2022, 07:00
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A quick question, can anyone please confirm -

Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain
Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British.

Both forms of verb tense are correct for this question in the gmat?

Experts, please address. I have an understanding that when 'before' makes the time sequence clear we do not need 'had', but in the case of a time marker eg 'In 1947' we do need 'had'. I know somehow I am misinterpreting these rules and this question hits the grey area in my understanding. Please help me correct my understanding.
AjiteshArun ExpertsGlobal5 KarishmaB
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InLimbo

It is not an official question so feel free to ignore it if you are unhappy with it. I would go the 'unhappy but must takeaway from the correct option' route only for official questions. At least they teach me what GMAT 'prefers.'
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 07 Aug 2022, 08:21
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InLimbo

Experts, please address. I have an understanding that when 'before' makes the time sequence clear we do not need 'had', but in the case of a time marker eg 'In 1947' we do need 'had'. I know somehow I am misinterpreting these rules and this question hits the grey area in my understanding. Please help me correct my understanding.
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An official question:

The personal income tax did not become permanent in the United States until the First World War; before that time the federal government had depended on tariffs as its main source of revenue.
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 19 Sep 2022, 07:28
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A and B incorrectly modifies Britain (it should modify India) - Dangling Modifiers
C looks ok in the beginning but "they" refers to Britain not India which is confusing - pronoun
D looks wordy due to use of passive voice
E looks Right with correct modifiers and who correctly modifies British not Britain
so answer = E
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 31 Oct 2022, 23:34
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Option A uses "its" whereas Option B doesn't, does it mean in B, it is 'ok' if we don't start with India after comma? Or since it is a phrase, whatever it is modifying should come after comma?

As per Manhattan OE - The phrase "ruled as a colony by Britain" is awkward and unclear. Can you please help me understand why is it awkward?

Is there any difference in meaning when we use "had ruled" vs "had been ruled', is it that for had been, it does not imply double past?

Can we use who for Britain? (Not mentioned in any option, asking for conceptual clarity)

As per daagh for option D - "had been ruled is unnecessarily wordy." However, I felt there are two events and hence we will need past perfect. Can you please help me understand where I am going wrong!
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 01 Nov 2022, 03:19
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ExpertsGlobal5
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
sinharavi
Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power only after a long struggle by the native people.

(A) Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power
(B) Before independence in 1947, Britain had ruled India as a colony and relinquished power
(C) Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain as a colony and they relinquished power
(D) Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power
(E) Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power

Show Spoiler
The following question came in one of MGMAT tests. I am not convinced to the OA. Hoping somebody can explain.

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that India had been a colony of the British before it became independent in 1947, and the British relinquished power only after a long struggle by the native people.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Pronouns + Grammatical Construction + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; commas cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "Britain" with the plural pronoun "they". Further, Option A incorrectly uses "Before its independence in 1947" to modify "Britain", incorrectly replying that India had been a colony of the British before Britain became independent in 1947; the intended meaning is that India had been a colony of the British before India became independent in 1947; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Additionally, Option A incorrectly uses conjunction ("and" in this case) to join the independent clauses "Britain ruled India as a colony" and "they would relinquish power...people"; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses. Besides, Option A uses the needlessly indirect phrase "ruled India as a colony", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: This answer choice incorrectly uses "Before independence in 1947" to modify "Britain", incorrectly replying that India had been a colony of the British before Britain became independent in 1947; the intended meaning is that India had been a colony of the British before India became independent in 1947; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Further, Option B uses the needlessly indirect phrase "ruled India as a colony", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "Britain" with the plural pronoun "they". Further, Option C incorrectly uses conjunction ("and" in this case) to join the independent clauses "India was ruled by Britain as a colony" and "they would relinquish power...people"; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses. Additionally, Option C uses the needlessly wordy phrase "ruled by Britain as a colony", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "ruled as a colony by Britain", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "the British" with the pronoun "who", which can be used to refer to both plural and singular nouns. Further, Option E correctly uses "Before independence in 1947" to modify "India", conveying the intended meaning - that India had been a colony of the British before India became independent in 1947. Additionally, Option E avoids the grammatical construction errors seen in Options A and C, as it only features one independent clause - "India had been a colony of the British". Besides, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):


To understand the use of punctuation on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~10 minutes):


All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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D: This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "ruled as a colony by Britain", leading to awkwardness
Can you please explain why this construction is awkward?
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 01 Nov 2022, 04:10
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Rickooreo
ExpertsGlobal5
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
sinharavi
Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power only after a long struggle by the native people.

(A) Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power
(B) Before independence in 1947, Britain had ruled India as a colony and relinquished power
(C) Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain as a colony and they relinquished power
(D) Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power
(E) Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power

Show Spoiler
The following question came in one of MGMAT tests. I am not convinced to the OA. Hoping somebody can explain.

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that India had been a colony of the British before it became independent in 1947, and the British relinquished power only after a long struggle by the native people.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Pronouns + Grammatical Construction + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; commas cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "Britain" with the plural pronoun "they". Further, Option A incorrectly uses "Before its independence in 1947" to modify "Britain", incorrectly replying that India had been a colony of the British before Britain became independent in 1947; the intended meaning is that India had been a colony of the British before India became independent in 1947; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Additionally, Option A incorrectly uses conjunction ("and" in this case) to join the independent clauses "Britain ruled India as a colony" and "they would relinquish power...people"; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses. Besides, Option A uses the needlessly indirect phrase "ruled India as a colony", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: This answer choice incorrectly uses "Before independence in 1947" to modify "Britain", incorrectly replying that India had been a colony of the British before Britain became independent in 1947; the intended meaning is that India had been a colony of the British before India became independent in 1947; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Further, Option B uses the needlessly indirect phrase "ruled India as a colony", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "Britain" with the plural pronoun "they". Further, Option C incorrectly uses conjunction ("and" in this case) to join the independent clauses "India was ruled by Britain as a colony" and "they would relinquish power...people"; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses. Additionally, Option C uses the needlessly wordy phrase "ruled by Britain as a colony", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "ruled as a colony by Britain", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "the British" with the pronoun "who", which can be used to refer to both plural and singular nouns. Further, Option E correctly uses "Before independence in 1947" to modify "India", conveying the intended meaning - that India had been a colony of the British before India became independent in 1947. Additionally, Option E avoids the grammatical construction errors seen in Options A and C, as it only features one independent clause - "India had been a colony of the British". Besides, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):


To understand the use of punctuation on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~10 minutes):


All the best!
Experts' Global Team


D: This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "ruled as a colony by Britain", leading to awkwardness
Can you please explain why this construction is awkward?
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Hello Rickooreo,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the clause "India had been a colony of the British" - seen in Option E - is simply a more direct and concise way of saying "India had been ruled as a colony by Britain".

To say that "X is a colony of Y." implicitly suggests that Y rules X; adding the word "ruled" is redundant.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 18 Sep 2023, 05:46
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Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power

apart from being a passive construction, which i dont like, this sentence is trying to modify a verb(had been ruled) with a prepositional phrase(as a colony) rather than an adverb
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a co 11 Oct 2023, 06:28
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Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power only after a long struggle by the native people.

Option elimination - between D and E -

(D) Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power. As sayantanc2k pointed out, "ruled" here is redundant. X had been a Colony of Y - means Y had ruled X.
(E) Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power - more concise than D.
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