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Sub 505 Level|   Subject Verb Agreement|                     
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 19 Jul 2020, 12:24
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varotkorn
AnthonyRitz

I'd simply invoke the rule that a participle phrase, at the end of a sentence, set off by a comma modifies the preceding clause and not the adjacent word.

Dear AnthonyRitz,

OA : It can hardly be said that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of microcomputer technology: Alvin Toffler, one of the most prominent students of the future, did not even mention microcomputers in Future Shock, published in 1970.

However, in this OA, "published" modifies "Future Shock" (not the subject "Alvin Toffler").
Are both possible?
Show more

I suppose you've proven that both are possible at least in some circumstances. English is full of exceptions, and sad to say I do not know nearly all of them. Good catch. :)

In the other question I'd just rely on parallelism. I don't know what I'd say about the explanation, but it doesn't seem necessary to go there. If it can go either way, maybe it's a little ambiguous.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 20 Jul 2020, 00:55
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varotkorn

Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer

I wonder whether "COMMA + Verb-ED" at the end of the sentence can apply to the SUBJECT of the preceding clause?

Some experts say "COMMA + Verb-ED" can only modify the preceding NOUN.
So, "COMMA + SURPASSED" modifies the nation's third leading cause of death.
(I've seen this reasoning has been used to reject some incorrect answers)

On the other hand, some experts say "COMMA + Verb-ED" (just like "COMMA + Verb-ING") at the end of the sentence can modify the SUBJECT of the preceding clause.
So, "COMMA + SURPASSED" modifies Diabetes
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Hi varotkorn, quite some time back, I read a response from GMATGuruNY and it made sense to me (as always:)).

From what I recollect, he stated that the past participle surpassed is indeed modifying the previous noun phrase nation's third leading cause of death. But we need to also note that as per the sentence, Diabetes is/contributes to nation's third leading cause of death.

So indirectly, the past participle surpassed is indeed modifying Diabetes, as one should expect.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 20 Jul 2020, 01:22
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Dear EducationAisle,

I think there are 2 different opinions on this:

OPINION 1 : "COMMA + SURPASSED" modifies the nation's third leading cause of death.
GMATGuruNY said
Quote:

In the OA, surpassed modifies cause of death, the preceding noun phrase.
Show more
Quote:

A COMMA + VERBed modifier must refer to the immediately preceding noun or noun phrase; it cannot serve to modify the preceding subject.
Show more

OPINION 2 : "COMMA + Verb-ED" (just like "COMMA + Verb-ING") at the end of the sentence can modify the SUBJECT of the preceding clause.
RonPurewal said
Quote:

in that sentence, you can still properly assign the modifier to the entire preceding clause: the modifier is describing the two causes of death that rank ahead of diabetes, and so can be legitimately interpreted as elaborating upon the statement that diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death.

--

note that any modifier that modifies a clause should also be fairly directly related to the subject of that clause -- so that, when a modifier refers to a clause, you can actually think of that modifier as referring to both the action and the subject of that clause.
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Note that on page 2, Anthony also agrees with what Ron said above.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 20 Jul 2020, 03:01
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Yeah, but If we go with GMATGuruNY's explanation (which sounds quite logical to me), would it not be consistent with what we have observed for other such past participial phrases as well (and also consistent with OG's explanations for questions using past participial phrases)?

Curious to know what you and others think about this. Good topic; thanks for bringing this up.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 24 Jul 2020, 20:39
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Dear EducationAisle,

IMO, I would go with Mitch's comment.

Here is more OA example:
By 1940, the pilot Jacqueline Cochran held seventeen official national and international speed records, earned at a time when aviation was still so new that many of the planes she flew were of dangerously experimental design.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 24 Jul 2020, 21:04
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I am not able to understand this.
To give an example , is there any difference in the following two sentences.

1. Diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
2. Diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed by heart disease and cancer.

Kindly explain my doubt here !!!!
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 25 Jul 2020, 05:59
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Bhandari27
I am not able to understand this.
To give an example , is there any difference in the following two sentences.

1. Diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
2. Diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed by heart disease and cancer.
Show more
Hi Bhandari27, the most logical intended meaning is that there are only two diseases (heart disease and cancer) that surpass Diabetes (as causes of death).

Hence, to correctly depict this intended meaning, the word only should modify these two diseases (heart disease and cancer).

So, only should modify heart disease and cancer; only surpassed doesn't make sense.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 29 Oct 2020, 12:47
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GMATNinja VeritasKarishma ChiranjeevSingh egmat

How a verb-ed modifier(surpassed) can modify far away noun diabetes in optionA

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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 29 Oct 2020, 23:26
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saby1410
GMATNinja VeritasKarishma ChiranjeevSingh egmat

How a verb-ed modifier(surpassed) can modify far away noun diabetes in optionA

Posted from my mobile device
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Diabetes = nation's third leading cause of death

So 'surpassed by...' is not far from what it is modifying.

Also, grammatically, a past participle at the end of a clause separated by a comma could modify the entire preceding clause though the usage isn't preferred by GMAT much. But at the end of the day, it all depends on what the context requires and whether the options offer a better way. Here all sentences have the same construction so the point is irrelevant.

Check: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2014/1 ... -the-gmat/
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 02 Nov 2020, 09:06
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(a) ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only -- Correct answer.
(b) rank as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed -- plural "rank" does not agree with singular "diabetes"
(c) has the rank of the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed -- Wordy construction. A is cleaner.
(d) are the nation's third leading causes of death, surpassed only -- "are" plural. SV error.
(e) have been ranked as the nation's third leading causes of death, only surpassed -- "have". SV error.

A is the winner.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 15 Dec 2020, 23:49
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer

It is basic question of Verb tense error check list.

(a) ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only-> Diabetes is singular, like economics. :). So, ranks is okay and Surpassed only...two diseases is also okay. Let's keep it.
(b) rank as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed-> Diabetes is singular, so "rank" is incorrect.
(c) has the rank of the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed-> Okay. We have verb tense error corrected. But, we have another issue. When we are comparing Diabetes, then we need to take other diseases in account. "Only surpassed" is incorrect.
(d) are the nation's third leading causes of death, surpassed only-> Diabetes is singular, so "are" is incorrect.
(e) have been ranked as the nation's third leading causes of death, only surpassed-> Diabetes is singular, so "have" is incorrect.

So, I think A. :)
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 25 Mar 2021, 23:02
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 06 Sep 2021, 16:58
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Help please,

Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer

What is surpassed modifying here, as it's a past participle?
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 17 Sep 2021, 15:40
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Help please,

Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer

What is surpassed modifying here, as it's a past participle?
Show more
As mentioned by VeritasKarishma in this post, all 5 choices use "surpassed" as a comma-separated modifier at the end of the sentence. So clearly, the GMAT didn't want you to worry about what exactly "surpassed" modifies. :)

But it's kind of a fun question, so let's go for it. Does "surpassed" modify "diabetes" itself? Or the "nation's third leading cause of death" (which is, by the way, the same thing as "diabetes")? Or the action in the preceding clause ("diabetes ranks...")?

No matter how you look at it, the meaning doesn't change: diabetes is exceeded (surpassed) only by heart disease and cancer as a cause of death. In any of those three interpretations above, the meaning is perfectly logical. Fwiw, I do think that "diabetes" itself is the best candidate -- what is exceeded (or surpassed) by heart disease and cancer? Diabetes. But I definitely wouldn't stress over this at all, since the question makes it a non-issue.

I hope that helps!
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 31 Dec 2021, 08:47
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Correct Option A

Diabetes, together with its serious complications,
ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer

Sentence Exams on
1. SV Agreement (Subject: Diabetes and Verb: ranks) - singular
2. Usage of"ONLY" as adverb / adjectives

(a) ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only - Correct

(c) has the rank of the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed
Error:
1. Diabetes has rank of - sentence structure error
2. only modify verb surpassed as adverb,
wherelese "ONLY" must be modify Noun "heart disease and cancer" as adjective

Eliminate B, D and E - SV Agreement error
(b) rank as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed
(d) are the nation's third leading causes of death, surpassed only
(e) have been ranked as the nation's third leading causes of death, only surpassed
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 05 Jan 2023, 22:43
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akhil911
Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer
(a) ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only
(b) rank as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed
(c) has the rank of the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed
(d) are the nation's third leading causes of death, surpassed only
(e) have been ranked as the nation's third leading causes of death, only surpassed

I understand why the official answer is correct in the question and dont have a problem is that.
However my question is regarding the usage of surpassed only and only surpassed.
As per the OG explanation , "Placed before surpassed , only would more ambiguously limit surpassed."
I am not able to understand this.
To give an example , is there any difference in the following two sentences.

1. Diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
2. Diabetes ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed by heart disease and cancer.

Kindly explain my doubt here !!!!

Hi Akhil,

Here's the difference in usage.

1. When "only" is placed before "surpassed", it modifies "surpassed".
2. When "only" is placed before "by heart disease and cancer", it modifies "by heart disease and cancer".

Where we place "only" depends on the intended meaning of the sentence. Let's look at a couple of examples before we address this question.

1. Yesterday, I went only to the museum.

Meaning: I didn't go anywhere else yesterday - only to the museum.

2. Yesterday, I only went to the museum.

Here, "only" modifies the action "went". So the meaning of this sentence is: I didn't do anything yesterday except go to the museum.

In this question, the writer means to say that diabetes is surpassed only by two other diseases in terms of the number of deaths it causes. So, we want "only" to refer to these two diseases, and not to "surpassed".

This is a fairly subtle differentiation in terms of meaning. In official sentences, there are usually other ways to eliminate options with such problems. For example, option C in this question can also be eliminated on the basis of wordiness.

I hope this helps to clarify your doubt.

Regards,
Meghna
Show more


Hi egmat

I am confused with the use of 'surpassed only' and 'only surpassed' in this construction.

When we say "A, Surpassed only by X and Y" , it meant X and Y only surpassed A.
and
When we say "A, only surpassed by X and Y" , it meant the same.

As both says X and Y come prior to A, How we can select the correct option when the difference between the two is subtle?

Thanks in Advance.
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 05 Jan 2023, 23:11
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Keshav1404



Hi egmat

I am confused with the use of 'surpassed only' and 'only surpassed' in this construction.

When we say "A, Surpassed only by X and Y" , it meant X and Y only surpassed A.
and
When we say "A, only surpassed by X and Y" , it meant the same.

As both says X and Y come prior to A, How we can select the correct option when the difference between the two is subtle?

Thanks in Advance.
Show more

Hey Keshav1404

Thank you for the question.

The word "only" is an adverb, and the placement of adverbs in sentences is of utmost importance. One position to the left or right changes the meaning of the sentence drastically. Allow me to demonstrate with examples:

    1. Only Mark is taller than Peter.
    Meaning: Mark is the tallest, and Peter is second tallest.

    2. Mark is only taller than Peter.
    Meaning: Of all the qualities they possess, Mark is only/just taller. Peter is smarter, better looking, etc.

    3. Mark is taller than only Peter.
    Meaning: Peter is the shortest. Mark is second shortest.

So, I hope you see the importance of the placement of modifiers, especially adverbs such as 'only'. This is why a modifier must be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies in a sentence.

Now, let's look at this official question:

    1. Diabetes is surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
    2. Diabetes is only surpassed by heart disease and cancer.

Now think about what we wish to convey? We wish to say that, in terms of rank as leading cause of death, heart disease and cancer are ahead of Diabetes. In other words, diabetes ranks third. So, where should we place "only"? The answer is sentence 1 above: diabetes is surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.

In sentence 2, "only" modifies "surpassed". This means that diabetes just surpasses HD and C. Diabetes doesn't do anything else. It just surpasses HD and C. And this is illogical.

So, there's a lot of difference between "only surpasses" and "surpasses only". I hope you see that difference now.


Please revert for further clarification, if required.


Happy Learning!

Abhishek
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 05 Jan 2023, 23:48
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Keshav1404



Hi egmat

I am confused with the use of 'surpassed only' and 'only surpassed' in this construction.

When we say "A, Surpassed only by X and Y" , it meant X and Y only surpassed A.
and
When we say "A, only surpassed by X and Y" , it meant the same.

As both says X and Y come prior to A, How we can select the correct option when the difference between the two is subtle?

Thanks in Advance.

Hey Keshav1404

Thank you for the question.

The word "only" is an adverb, and the placement of adverbs in sentences is of utmost importance. One position to the left or right changes the meaning of the sentence drastically. Allow me to demonstrate with examples:

    1. Only Mark is taller than Peter.
    Meaning: Mark is the tallest, and Peter is second tallest.

    2. Mark is only taller than Peter.
    Meaning: Of all the qualities they possess, Mark is only/just taller. Peter is smarter, better looking, etc.

    3. Mark is taller than only Peter.
    Meaning: Peter is the shortest. Mark is second shortest.

So, I hope you see the importance of the placement of modifiers, especially adverbs such as 'only'. This is why a modifier must be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies in a sentence.

Now, let's look at this official question:

    1. Diabetes is surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
    2. Diabetes is only surpassed by heart disease and cancer.

Now think about what we wish to convey? We wish to say that, in terms of rank as leading cause of death, heart disease and cancer are ahead of Diabetes. In other words, diabetes ranks third. So, where should we place "only"? The answer is sentence 1 above: diabetes is surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.

In sentence 2, "only" modifies "surpassed". This means that diabetes just surpasses HD and C. Diabetes doesn't do anything else. It just surpasses HD and C. And this is illogical.

So, there's a lot of difference between "only surpasses" and "surpasses only". I hope you see that difference now.


Please revert for further clarification, if required.


Happy Learning!

Abhishek
Show more

Thanks Abhishek egmat for a quick reply

Now i understand the meaning of both the structures as mentioned below. Please correct me if i am still deviating from the meaning of the sentences.

1. Diabetes is surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
This point says that the HD & C, can be either the 1st or 2nd rank as leading cause of death. and The
Diabetes comes 3rd. These 3 causes tops the list.

2. Diabetes is only surpassed by heart disease and cancer
While this tries to say that rank as cause of death by Diabetes comes prior to the rank for the HD & C.
These 3 causes come at the lowest ranking.

Am i correct with the understanding?
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 06 Jan 2023, 00:16
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Keshav1404


Thanks Abhishek egmat for a quick reply

Now i understand the meaning of both the structures as mentioned below. Please correct me if i am still deviating from the meaning of the sentences.

1. Diabetes is surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.
This point says that the HD & C, can be either the 1st or 2nd rank as leading cause of death. and The
Diabetes comes 3rd. These 3 causes tops the list.

2. Diabetes is only surpassed by heart disease and cancer
While this tries to say that rank as cause of death by Diabetes comes prior to the rank for the HD & C.
These 3 causes come at the lowest ranking.

Am i correct with the understanding?
Show more

Hey Keshav1404

You're welcome.

You're right about point 1 above, but not about point 2. Allow me to elaborate in simpler terms.

    2. Diabetes is only surpassed by HD and C.
      a. This sentence is incorrect and has no meaning. The intended meaning is that HD, C, and Diabetes are the top 3 causes of death. But, in order to imply this properly, we need to place "only" after "surpassed" and not before it.
      b. Why is this sentence incorrect?
        i. By placing "only" before "surpassed", "only" modifies "surpassed" and not "by HD and C".
        ii. The phrase "only surpassed" means "surpassed and nothing else".
        iii. But that's not what the author wishes to convey.

Hence, this version of the sentence is incorrect.

I hope this clarifies.

Best,

Abhishek
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Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation 06 Jan 2024, 00:57
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Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
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