Considering the necessity for a new benchmarking policy, Brownstone In

Hi e-gmat,

Please confirm who is the subject of verb "to indicate". If we select option A, Brownstone Inc becomes the subject of the verb "to indicate" as it is of verbs "to monitor" and "to compare". This structure doesn't make sense to me. Brownstone Inc intends to get an indication and not give it through use of some innovative technology. I chose option E.
Kindly explain.

I still dont understand why E is illogical. Obviously if one says that the 3 parallel things are monitor,compare and indicate then definitely A makes sense but how can we say that E is illogical ??

A company can monitor and compare which probably would indicate whether it should go ahead or not.....

Can we really have such close answer choices in real GMAT which are logically and grammatically correct?? If yes then how can we know what is the exact meaning of the sentence??

A 700+ Level Question:

Considering the necessity for a new benchmarking policy, Brownstone Inc assessed an innovative methodology to monitor its competitors’ progress, compare market behaviors, and indicate whether it should conduct routine surveys of companies in other markets.

A. to monitor its competitors’ progress, compare market behaviors, and indicate
B. monitoring its competitors’ progress, compared market behaviors, and indicated
C. to monitor its competitors’ progress, and it compared market behaviors indicating
D. monitoring its competitors’ progress and comparing market behaviors indicating
E. to monitor its competitors’ progress and compare market behaviors, indicating

(Select the correct option from the above poll)


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A 700+ Level Question:

Considering the necessity for a new benchmarking policy, Brownstone Inc assessed an innovative methodology to monitor its competitors’ progress, compare market behaviors, and indicate whether it should conduct routine surveys of companies in other markets.

C. to monitor its competitors’ progress, and it compared market behaviors indicating

A 700+ Level Question:

Considering the necessity for a new benchmarking policy, Brownstone Inc assessed an innovative methodology to monitor its competitors’ progress, compare market behaviors, and indicate whether it should conduct routine surveys of companies in other markets.

Choice E conveys a logical meaning in correct grammar. But is this logic the same as that conveyed by Choice A. No, it is not. Choice E now establishes a causal

Hi atom,

Before I resolve your confusion, I would like to take the liberty of changing the word "indicate" to "decide" as this word fits better in the context of this e-GMAT sentence. This edit has not been yet made in the original sentence but will be done soon. The solution will also updated accordingly.

Meaning per Choice A

So per the original sentence, Brownstone Inc. evaluated an innovative methodology to:
1. monitor its competitors' progress,
2. compare market behaviors, and
3. decide whether it should conduct routine surveys of companies in other markets.

Discussion on Meaning of Choice A vs. Other Choices.

Now let's talk about the importance of the original sentence in setting up the context and conveying the intended meaning. See, the original sentence just does not provide us with one of the five answer choices. It presents all the information to be taken into consideration for the sake of solving the problem, the context, and the intended meaning.


Does this mean that in SC, we have to swear by the meaning intended only in Option A ALWAYS????
If the meaning conveyed by the original sentence is logical, then we have no basis to doubt that meaning because all the information and the context come from the original sentence. So we MUST maintain that logical meaning in the correct answer choice.

Choice A - always correct meaning?

Now the question arises: does the original sentence always convey the logical meaning? The answer to the question is no, the original sentence may or may not always convey the logical meaning. But it certainly conveys the intended meaning and presents the context for the same. In case the meaning conveyed by the original sentence is not logical, then through the thorough analysis of each and every answer choice, we select that one answer choice that conveys the logical intended meaning in correct grammatical manner.

Meaning from Choice A and Other Choices - Possible Cases

So there can be the following situations that we may face:

1. If the original sentence conveys the intended meaning in logical as well as grammatical way, then Choice A becomes the correct answer for that SC problem.
2. If the original sentence conveys the intended meaning logically but through ungrammatical structure, then we select the answer choice that conveys the same logic in correct grammar.
3. If the meaning conveyed by the original sentence makes no sense, then we analyze all the answer choices thoroughly and select the one that conveys the logical meaning through correct grammar.

Back to the Question in Discussion

Since this e-GMAT sentence conveys the intended meaning in logical and grammatical way, we will go with Choice A. But most definitely, we will evaluate all the other choices so that we reject them on solid grounds. Please bear in mind that if any other grammatically correct answer choice even slightly differs from the meaning conveyed by the original sentence, then that difference amounts to change in meaning. Any answer choice, no matter how grammatical it may be, is NOT considered the correct answer choice if it changes the intended logical meaning conveyed by the original sentence.

Meaning Communicated by Choice E

This is the reason why Choice E for this e-GMAT sentence is incorrect. Let's first understand what is the meaning we get from Choice E. According to Choice E, Brownstone Inc. evaluated a certain process to monitor its competitors' progress and compare market behaviors. Use of comma + deciding modifier suggests that as a result of "comparing" market behaviors, the company will decide whether it should conduct routine surveys of companies in other markets.

Choice E conveys a logical meaning in correct grammar. But is this logic the same as that conveyed by Choice A. No, it is not. Choice E now establishes a causal relationship which is not present in the original sentence. Hence, Choice E changes the intended meaning of the sentence and, although grammatical, stands incorrect.

Please note that we will be editing the original explanation of choice E in a bit. So thank you for raising your doubt!

Hope this helps.
Shraddha