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tarek99
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tarek99
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tarek99
OA is A. Why? because C changes the meaning by changing the word from "could" to "would." "Would" implies that "The ability" can independantly take a decision, which doesn't make sense. It's a question of what the "ability" can do, not what it would do.

makes sense? This is one of those rare questions that allows "being" as a correct answer choice.


Correct me If I am wrong, I think there is a typo error in 'A' ....it should be rate and not date :roll:

Also Tarek99, on capability / ability do you have any notes.. especially in this case why 'B' is incorrect.. We know that 'capability for' is bad phrasing. What if 'B' goes like this 'The capability to'
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Thanks for the explanation Terek99. I got it wrong!
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tarek99
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Beyond700, you're right that was a typing mistake. it should be "rate." sorry about that. i've corrected the mistake. and about your question regarding "capability to", option B will still be wrong. because you can't add a gerund right after "to". for example:

The capability to predicting= wrong

The capability to predict = correct because "to predict" is an infinitive. I've never seen a gerund that comes right after the word "to."

and guys, honestly, the best way to approach any SC question is this:

when you look at every answer choice, ALWAYS find a reason why it should be eliminated. if you can't, then keep it and look at the rest of the answer choices until you end up with either 2 or 3 answer choices. THEN compare them again and always try to find a reason to take one out until you eventually end up with the right answer. it's always easier to eliminate the wrong answers then to pick the right answer. the english language uses so much variation of correct grammar usage that i really doubt you can end up learning all the right grammar. however, creating wrong answer choices are sooo limited that they are much easier to spot. POE is really your best friend.
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i went for C. it is well beyond my capabilities :)
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Beyond700, you're right that was a typing mistake. it should be "rate." sorry about that. i've corrected the mistake. and about your question regarding "capability to", option B will still be wrong. because you can't add a gerund right after "to". for example:

The capability to predicting= wrong

The capability to predict = correct because "to predict" is an infinitive. I've never seen a gerund that comes right after the word "to."

and guys, honestly, the best way to approach any SC question is this:

when you look at every answer choice, ALWAYS find a reason why it should be eliminated. if you can't, then keep it and look at the rest of the answer choices until you end up with either 2 or 3 answer choices. THEN compare them again and always try to find a reason to take one out until you eventually end up with the right answer. it's always easier to eliminate the wrong answers then to pick the right answer. the english language uses so much variation of correct grammar usage that i really doubt you can end up learning all the right grammar. however, creating wrong answer choices are sooo limited that they are much easier to spot. POE is really your best friend.


Tarek99, Thank you for your briefing. let me reframe my question.

Assuming that you have 2 answer choices

1) The ability to predict.....could
2) The capability to predict...could

Which one would you pick in GMAT.. I know there is a subtle difference between these two..I am not sure of the usage in GMATland...
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tarek99
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Beyond700
tarek99
Beyond700, you're right that was a typing mistake. it should be "rate." sorry about that. i've corrected the mistake. and about your question regarding "capability to", option B will still be wrong. because you can't add a gerund right after "to". for example:

The capability to predicting= wrong

The capability to predict = correct because "to predict" is an infinitive. I've never seen a gerund that comes right after the word "to."

and guys, honestly, the best way to approach any SC question is this:

when you look at every answer choice, ALWAYS find a reason why it should be eliminated. if you can't, then keep it and look at the rest of the answer choices until you end up with either 2 or 3 answer choices. THEN compare them again and always try to find a reason to take one out until you eventually end up with the right answer. it's always easier to eliminate the wrong answers then to pick the right answer. the english language uses so much variation of correct grammar usage that i really doubt you can end up learning all the right grammar. however, creating wrong answer choices are sooo limited that they are much easier to spot. POE is really your best friend.

Tarek99, Thank you for your briefing. let me reframe my question.

Assuming that you have 2 answer choices

1) The ability to predict.....could
2) The capability to predict...could

Which one would you pick in GMAT.. I know there is a subtle difference between these two..I am not sure of the usage in GMATland...


The source of this question is GMATPREP! so we better take this question seriously ;) heheh.... as for the 2 options which are:

1) The ability to predict.....could
2) The capability to predict...could


I would go for the first one only because it sounds more concise. that's my personal opinion. what i'm doing now is retaking the gmatprep as many times as possible. this is because the more you retake it, the more likely you'll get the questions that you had already seen correct. when you do that, you'll start seeing the real difficult questions that gmatprep will through at you. those type of questions are important to get our hands on. so guys, whenever you manage to reach to such questions, post them and let's learn from them together.



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