NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 23 Apr 2024, 10:16 It is currently 23 Apr 2024, 10:16
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

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.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
 1   2   
Tags:
Find Similar Topics 
Show Tags
Hide Tags
User avatar
nick_sun
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 453
Own Kudos [?]: 324 [126]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 31 Dec 2022, 04:53
15
Kudos
111
Bookmarks
00:00
A
B
C
D
E

Difficulty:

5% (low)

Question Stats:

85% (01:10) correct 15% (01:21) wrong based on 2428 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel that a cycle has begun in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
A

Originally posted by nick_sun on 20 Aug 2007, 05:37.
Last edited by Bunuel on 31 Dec 2022, 04:53, edited 1 time in total.
Cleaned the topic.
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
mejia401
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 15 Sep 2011
Posts: 258
Own Kudos [?]: 1370 [42]
Given Kudos: 46
Location: United States
WE:Corporate Finance (Manufacturing)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   08 Feb 2014, 18:31
30
Kudos
12
Bookmarks
First look: S/V agreement, modifying phrases, pronoun agreement

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users OK - The areas of concern were tested, and all were okay.

B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they Wrong - Pronoun "They" has no referent. The modifier "for personal computer users" describes the cycle, making the sentence non-sensical. It is not a cycle of users, but a cycle in which users replace their computers.

C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users Wrong - The prepositional phrase cannot have a verb -- "for... users are replacing their PCs"

D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users Wrong - The prepositional phrase cannot have a verb -- "for... users are replacing their PCs"

E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they Wrong - Logical predication. Personal computer users cannot literally be "in the beginning of a cycle when they." Perhaps their behavior is in the beginning of a cycle, but not they themselves.

IMO - A
User avatar
G
anairamitch1804
Director
Director
Joined: 26 Oct 2016
Posts: 510
Own Kudos [?]: 3378 [26]
Given Kudos: 877
Location: United States
Concentration: Marketing, International Business
Schools: HBS '19
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V44
GPA: 4
WE:Education (Education)
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   12 Aug 2017, 15:56
18
Kudos
8
Bookmarks
A answer choice may be eliminated for pronoun ambiguity if another answer choice avoids the ambiguity and is free of errors.
In B and E, they has two eligible antecedents (economists and users).
Since A avoids this issue and is free of errors, eliminate B and E.
In C, are replacing lacks a subject.
Eliminate C.
In D, it lacks a viable referent.
Eliminate D.
The correct answer is A.
There are 2 prepositions that are confusing – when and “in which” and the confusion is when both of them are used when a reference to time has been made.

“When” is used when there is a specific time or a date that is being discussed.
Ex : 15th August 1947 is the day when India got its Independence.
“In which” is used when we are talking about a time period.
Ex : 1947 was the year in which the freedom struggle came to an end.
Here there is a cycle being referred to. And a cycle is usually a time period. That’s why usage of “which” makes more sense!
User avatar
G
sayantanc2k
CR Moderator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 2413
Own Kudos [?]: 15266 [21]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   27 Dec 2017, 05:36
11
Kudos
10
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
SidJainGMAT wrote:
Hello Verbal Experts (e-Gmat/GMATNinja),

In option A, in which is far away from the noun (cycle) it is referring to. Is this correct behavior?
I had read somewhere that Noun Modifier cannot topple the verb to refer to the subject.
In this case it is toppling verb 'has begun' to refer to the subject 'cycle'.
Because of this I eliminated A & B.
Can someone please comment on this


There are some exceptions to the modifier touch rule you are referring to - These exceptions are well explained in Manhattan SC guide. One such exception is that if the modifier of the subject of a sentence is very long compared to the predicate of the sentence, then the modifier can be separated from the subject and positioned AFTER the predicate. This is such an exception: The very long modifier "in which personal computer users....models" for the subject "a cycle" is separated and placed AFTER the short predicate "has begun".
General Discussion
User avatar
onedayill
Manager
Manager
Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Posts: 208
Own Kudos [?]: 320 [4]
Given Kudos: 10
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   03 Jul 2010, 07:57
3
Kudos
1
Bookmarks
noboru wrote:
OA is A.
I have 2 questions:
i) What's wrong with C?
ii) Would not "cycle" and "in which" have to be together?
Thanks.



A. You want "especially corporate consumers" to be as close as possible to "personal computer users". We can therefore eliminate B,E. Out the remain options A is the best becos its in the past perfect. Action has started and will continue into the future.
avatar
B
ClassSkippa
Intern
Intern
Joined: 21 Sep 2015
Posts: 33
Own Kudos [?]: 68 [4]
Given Kudos: 71
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   27 Nov 2017, 06:35
4
Kudos
First of all...I am fairly sure this isn't a sub 600 question. Secondly, I'm very puzzled at the high accuracy rate for this one. My guess here is that this is one of those questions..where you "use your ears" and just get it right.

This question can be eliminated purely by using meaning: economists have suggested that a new cycle is beginning (#PCMasterRace!!!)

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
=> Sounds legit (or..you may say leet)
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
=> the cycle isn't for personal computers (it's for the whole universe to gasp and wonder!)
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
=> the cycle isn't for personal computers (it's for the whole universe to gasp and wonder!)
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
=> the cycle isn't for personal computers (it's for the whole universe to gasp and wonder!)
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they
=> users aren't in the cycle themselves (although I'd like to explore that continuum)
User avatar
L
KarishmaB
Tutor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 14816
Own Kudos [?]: 64879 [2]
Given Kudos: 426
Location: Pune, India
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2022, 04:05
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
singh7 wrote:
The modifier doesn't touch the noun it modifies, then how is it correct?


When a relative clause has a preposition, we often place the preposition before the relative clause to make the sentence more formal.

'She is the friend to whom I gave my ticket' is more formal than 'she is the friend whom I gave my ticket to.'
User avatar
L
KarishmaB
Tutor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 14816
Own Kudos [?]: 64879 [2]
Given Kudos: 426
Location: Pune, India
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2022, 22:40
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
Tanchat wrote:
So it is acceptable for prep. + which to follow a noun. is it clear?
I usually find : A place, at which Mr.A met Mrs.B, is in France. which is closed to " A Place". I have never found that prep. + Which can follow a verb.


Yes, it is a lot more common that the noun is placed right next to "in which" and the "which" modifies the noun but there is no such "rule". Depending on requirement, we decide what works best. Hence, I use the words "usually," "normally" etc a whole lot in grammar discussions.
Clarity and unambiguous usage are very important.

A cycle has begun in which A is doing B.
- is clear and we know that 'which' is talking about the cycle.
If we were to place "in which" right next to "cycle," the verb would appear much later and the continuity would be lost. Since the predicate is short (has begun) and does not introduce any ambiguity, we can place the modifier later.
avatar
S
SidJainGMAT
Intern
Intern
Joined: 09 Nov 2016
Posts: 33
Own Kudos [?]: 46 [1]
Given Kudos: 17
Location: India
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   26 Dec 2017, 05:40
1
Kudos
Hello Verbal Experts (e-Gmat/GMATNinja),

In option A, in which is far away from the noun (cycle) it is referring to. Is this correct behavior?
I had read somewhere that Noun Modifier cannot topple the verb to refer to the subject.
In this case it is toppling verb 'has begun' to refer to the subject 'cycle'.
Because of this I eliminated A & B.
Can someone please comment on this
User avatar
L
EducationAisle
CEO
CEO
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Posts: 3675
Own Kudos [?]: 3528 [1]
Given Kudos: 149
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   01 Jul 2019, 09:19
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Well, for the simple reason that which is a relative pronoun and hence, can only modify a noun (not a verb).
User avatar
L
KarishmaB
Tutor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 14816
Own Kudos [?]: 64879 [1]
Given Kudos: 426
Location: Pune, India
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2022, 03:58
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Tanchat wrote:
nick_sun wrote:
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel that a cycle has begun in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they



Dear experts GMATNinja AndrewN KarishmaB

Is it possible that “in which follows verb ?
Could you help elaborate why A is correct?
I don’t want to remember all exceptions.

Posted from my mobile device


We don't have any such restrictions. A prepositional phrase can follow a verb.

The game was played in Italy.
Impressionism started in Paris in the 1860s.

Here, the 'that clause' is:
a cycle has begun in which personal computer users ...are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

The relative pronoun 'which' is the object of the preposition 'in.'
'which' replaces 'cycle' and the preposition is placed before it. The relative clause is 'personal computer users ...are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models in this cycle'

This is how we have combined the below given two clauses together:
- a cycle has begun
- 'personal computer users ...are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models in this cycle'
User avatar
L
ExpertsGlobal5
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5123
Own Kudos [?]: 4683 [1]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2022, 04:37
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Tanchat wrote:
nick_sun wrote:
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel that a cycle has begun in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they



Dear experts GMATNinja AndrewN KarishmaB

Is it possible that “in which follows verb ?
Could you help elaborate why A is correct?
I don’t want to remember all exceptions.

Posted from my mobile device



Hello Tanchat,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, since "which" is a relative pronoun, the phrase "in which" can only modify the noun "cycle", not the verb "has begun"; the sentence formed by Option A is just a slightly less direct way of writing "a cycle, in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models, has begun."

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
User avatar
L
ExpertsGlobal5
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5123
Own Kudos [?]: 4683 [1]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   17 Jun 2022, 05:48
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Tanchat wrote:

In this form : a cycle, in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models, has begun. which is literally closed to "a cycle". I'm not sure whether the sentence formed by Option A is acceptable and "clear". I understand that there is no "touch rule" but the sentence formed by A is weird for me.


Hello Tanchat,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, as we mentioned, the alternate construction we have provided is more direct, but the sentence formed by Option A is also perfectly valid; since "in which" can only logically act upon "cycle", there is no ambiguity at play here.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
User avatar
noboru
Director
Director
Joined: 16 Jul 2009
Posts: 543
Own Kudos [?]: 8529 [0]
Given Kudos: 2
Schools:CBS
 Q50  V37
WE 1: 4 years (Consulting)
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   03 Jul 2010, 04:48
OA is A.
I have 2 questions:
i) What's wrong with C?
ii) Would not "cycle" and "in which" have to be together?
Thanks.
avatar
B
Brego
Intern
Intern
Joined: 09 Mar 2017
Posts: 27
Own Kudos [?]: 6 [0]
Given Kudos: 203
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   01 Jul 2019, 07:39
EducationAisle

In choice A how "in which" can jump over verb and modify a cycle?

Thank you
avatar
B
singh7
Intern
Intern
Joined: 24 Apr 2021
Posts: 5
Own Kudos [?]: 0 [0]
Given Kudos: 109
GPA: 3.08
WE:Research (Non-Profit and Government)
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   20 May 2021, 21:35
The modifier doesn't touch the noun it modifies, then how is it correct?
User avatar
B
Tanchat
Manager
Manager
Joined: 31 Jan 2020
Posts: 233
Own Kudos [?]: 14 [0]
Given Kudos: 139
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   15 Jun 2022, 11:51
nick_sun wrote:
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel that a cycle has begun in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they



Dear experts GMATNinja AndrewN KarishmaB

Is it possible that “in which follows verb ?
Could you help elaborate why A is correct?
I don’t want to remember all exceptions.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
B
Tanchat
Manager
Manager
Joined: 31 Jan 2020
Posts: 233
Own Kudos [?]: 14 [0]
Given Kudos: 139
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2022, 09:24
ExpertsGlobal5 wrote:
Tanchat wrote:
nick_sun wrote:
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel that a cycle has begun in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they



Dear experts GMATNinja AndrewN KarishmaB

Is it possible that “in which follows verb ?
Could you help elaborate why A is correct?
I don’t want to remember all exceptions.

Posted from my mobile device



Hello Tanchat,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, since "which" is a relative pronoun, the phrase "in which" can only modify the noun "cycle", not the verb "has begun"; the sentence formed by Option A is just a slightly less direct way of writing "a cycle, in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models, has begun."

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


In this form : a cycle, in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models, has begun. which is literally closed to "a cycle". I'm not sure whether the sentence formed by Option A is acceptable and "clear". I understand that there is no "touch rule" but the sentence formed by A is weird for me.
User avatar
B
Tanchat
Manager
Manager
Joined: 31 Jan 2020
Posts: 233
Own Kudos [?]: 14 [0]
Given Kudos: 139
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2022, 09:26
KarishmaB wrote:
Tanchat wrote:
nick_sun wrote:
Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel that a cycle has begun in which personal computer users, especially corporate consumers, are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they



Dear experts GMATNinja AndrewN KarishmaB

Is it possible that “in which follows verb ?
Could you help elaborate why A is correct?
I don’t want to remember all exceptions.

Posted from my mobile device


We don't have any such restrictions. A prepositional phrase can follow a verb.

The game was played in Italy.
Impressionism started in Paris in the 1860s.

Here, the 'that clause' is:
a cycle has begun in which personal computer users ...are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.

The relative pronoun 'which' is the object of the preposition 'in.'
'which' replaces 'cycle' and the preposition is placed before it. The relative clause is 'personal computer users ...are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models in this cycle'

This is how we have combined the below given two clauses together:
- a cycle has begun
- 'personal computer users ...are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models in this cycle'


So it is acceptable for prep. + which to follow a noun. is it clear?
I usually find : A place, at which Mr.A met Mrs.B, is in France. which is closed to " A Place". I have never found that prep. + Which can follow a verb.
User avatar
B
akt715
Manager
Manager
Joined: 12 May 2021
Posts: 74
Own Kudos [?]: 6 [0]
Given Kudos: 126
Send PM
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink] New post   28 Jul 2022, 04:15
As per my understanding , in option B pronoun they is clearly referring to personal computer users. But I have seen many posts where people have mentioned , that "they"
does not have clear referent.

Also if there is no pronoun issue why B is a better option than A .
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer [#permalink]
28 Jul 2022, 04:15
 1   2   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6917 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions