Child development specialists believe that, in confining babies much

Hello Sneha2021,

We hope this finds you well.

Having gone through the question and your query, we believe we can resolve your doubt.

The construction "in + present participle ("verb+ing" - "confining" in this sentence)" is a modifying phrase that conveys the meaning "by taking a particular action" or "in the process of taking a particular action". In Option A, the phrase "in confining babies much of the time to strollers..." incorrectly modifies "muscle development", illogically implying that it is muscle development that confines babies in strollers etc.

In Option C, the present participle ("verb+ing" - "confining" in this sentence) is not part of a modifying phrase; rather, it acts as a gerund - a noun - that refers to the act of "confining babies much of the time to strollers..." and is the subject of the clause. Thus, Option C conveys the intended meaning - that the act of confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can inhibit muscle development.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

can someone further explain this

Hello, drewgr. It would be helpful if you provided more detail as to what, exactly, you do not understand. When I scroll through the responses in the thread, I see half a dozen from different Experts. Is some point that may be causing you trouble not addressed in any one of them? If so, let us know in the thread, and I am sure someone would be happy to offer assistance.

- Andrew

Child development specialists believe that, in confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers, muscle development can be inhibited.


(A) that, in confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers, muscle development can be inhibited

Muscle development can be inhibited for whom ?. Its not clear in the sentence. Meaning is distorted. A is Out

(B) that, in their confinement much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers, muscle development can be inhibited in babies

Their confinement – Its totally wrong. The confinement of CD specialists cannot inhibit muscle development of babies. B is out.

(C) that confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can inhibit muscle development
Perfect .

(D) that babies, if confined much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can inhibit muscle development
Much closer . But still lengthy when compared with option C.

(E) that strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can, if babies are confined to the much of the time, result in muscle development being inhibited
There are many issues with E. Being inhibited -awkward. Confined to what ?

So, C is the best choice

Hello GMATNinja, egmat, gmatverbal

Child development specialists believe that, in confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers, muscle development can be inhibited.


(A) that, in confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers, muscle development can be inhibited
After removing the modifier, the sentence says 'Child development specialists believe that muscle development can be inhibited' which seems an incomplete sentence because the essential part of how and whose development is inhibited should also be part of the sentence

(B) that, in their confinement much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers, muscle development can be inhibited in babies
After removing the modifier, the sentence says 'Child development specialists believe that muscle development can be inhibited' which seems an incomplete sentence because the essential part of how development is inhibited should also be part of the sentence.
Also 'their' could be CD specialists


(C) that confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can inhibit muscle development

(D) that babies, if confined much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can inhibit muscle development
After removing the modifier, the sentence says 'Child development specialists believe that babies can inhibit muscle development' which seems incorrect

(E) that strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can, if babies are confined to the much of the time, result in muscle development being inhibited
After removing the modifier, the sentence says 'Child development specialists believe that strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can result in muscle development being inhibited' where usage of being is unnecessary, also incomplete sentence because the essential part of development is inhibited should also be part of the sentence

Please provide feedback on my analysis

Regards,

Hello niyatisuri,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, your reasoning is largely correct.

However, we have one small point of correction; none of the sentences formed by removing the information between the commas are incomplete; rather, the error is that information vital to the core meaning of the sentence - that it is the act of confining babies much of the time to strollers, high chairs, playpens, and walkers can inhibit muscle development - has been placed between commas; remember, information vital to the core meaning of the sentence must never be placed between commas; only extra information can be included between commas.

To understand the concept of "Extra Information Between Commas" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



We hope this helps.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

IMO C.

Babies should be the subject of the second clause and can is the verb for the subject

egmat

Thank you for your helpful reply. When I read this question, "much of the time" seemed unidiomatic and my ear so desperately wanted this to be "most of the time". Then I saw it was a non-issue because it was in all of the choices.

Out of curiosity, when would you "much of the time" vs. "most of the time"?

Thank you for your time and help.

Hey woohoo921

You're very welcome! Happy to be of help.


The word 'time' is an uncountable noun. This means we must use adjectives, pronouns, or determines of Quantity (and not number) with 'time'.

Now, both 'most' and 'much' can be used with uncountable nouns. For example,

a. Most of the cake was wasted.
b. Much of the cake was wasted.

What's important to understand is the difference in meaning between 'much' and 'most'.

"Much" means a significant amount. Whereas "most" means more than 50%. "Much" need not be more than 50%. It only needs to be considerable/significant.


"Much" is the uncountable counterpart of "many". And the difference between "much" and "most", is the same as that between "many" and "most". (Note that 'most' can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns)



So, both idioms "much of the time" and "most of the time" exist in English, and they have very different meanings.


I hope this improves your understanding.


Happy Learning!

Abhishek

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