Formulating a precise search query remains the

Question

Formulating a precise search query remains the first critical step to getting useful search results; although search engines use past searches to try to determine what a user is asking.

(A) Formulating a precise search query remains the first critical step to getting useful search results; although search engines use past searches to try to determine what a user is asking.
 
(B) Even though search engines use past searches to try to determine what a user is asking, formulating a precise search query remains the critical first step to getting a useful search result.
 
(C) Despite search engines using past searches to try to determine what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains a critical first step to getting useful search results.
 
(D) Although search engines use past searches to try and determine what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains the first critical step to getting a useful search result.
 
(E) In spite of search engine’s using past searches to try to determine what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains a critical first step to getting useful search results.

aceGMAT21 · Answer

(A) Formulating a precise search query remains the first critical step to getting useful search results; although search engines use past searches to try to determine what a user is asking. 
 The sentence construction is NOT CORRECT here. After SEMI-COLON we need an Independent Clause but here, after the semi-colon, the presence of "although" marks the beginning of a dependent clause which in turn needs an independent clause. INCORRECT.

"the first critical step" implies the wrong meaning because it suggests that there are multiple critical steps out of which the "formulation of a precise query" is the first one. This is not the intended meaning.

(B) Even though search engines use past searches to try to determine what a user is asking, formulating a precise search query remains the critical first step to getting a useful search result. 
 Usage of EvenThough is correct for showing the intended contrast. Also, the dependent clause is followed by an independent clause. CORRECT.
Here, the usage of "critical first step" is correct as it implies that the first step itself is critical. This is in terms with the intended meaning.

(C) Despite search engines using past searches to try to determine what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains a critical first step to getting useful search results. 
 Usage of Although/Eventhough preferred over Despite. Apart from that I cannot find any issue in the above sentence. 
 
 (D) Although search engines use past searches  to try and  determine what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains the first critical step to getting a useful search result. 
 "to try to" is the correct usage.
"formulating precise search queries remains the first critical step to getting  useful search results " would be correct here. As several search queries will NOT lead to a single useful search result. Multiple search queries will lead to useful search results BUT not a single useful search result.
Also, similar to option A, "the first critical step" implies the wrong meaning because it suggests that there are multiple critical steps out of which the "formulation of a precise query" is the first one. This is not the intended meaning.
 
 (E) In spite of  search engine’s  using past searches to try to determine what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains a critical first step to getting useful search results. 
 Usage of Although/Eventhough preferred over Inspite Of. 
Apart from that the usage of apostrophe in search engine's seems awkward

AjiteshArun ,  Can you please help in eliminating options C and E on solid grounds? As I am NOT too sure of my reasoning for eliminating the two choices.

Also, it would be great if you can clarify the Main Difference between Although and Despite/In spite of?

Thanks.
-aceGMAT21

AjiteshArun · Answer

Although  and  despite  (or  in spite of ) are both used to indicate contrast, but they are different in terms of structure.  Although  is a subordinating conjunction, whereas  despite  is a preposition. Normally, after a preposition, it is advisable to avoid going with (noun + ing). It is better to go with (possessive noun + ing). For example:

I appreciated the host greeting us personally.  This sentence makes it sound as if there is a particular host that I appreciated (the one who greeted us personally).
vs.
 I appreciated the host's greeting us personally.  This sentence puts the focus on the personal greeting by the host (I appreciated the act of  greeting ).

Don't apply this without thinking through the meaning, because it's safer to assume that this is not a grammar call.

Option E is incorrect because it uses the possessive of a singular noun ( search engine ) in  in spite of search engine’s . That's like saying  in spite of car's speed . We would actually want to go with  in spite of  a  car's speed  or  in spite of  the  car's speed .

You've analyzed the issues tested in this question very well. We should avoid taking a call between "a step" and "the step" as it's very likely that both are acceptable.

Turkish · Answer

The difference between B and D is the meaning

Even though search engines use past searches to try  to determine  what a user is asking, formulating a precise search query remains the critical first step to getting a useful search result.

Although search engines use past searches to  try and determine  what a user is asking, formulating precise search queries remains the first critical step to getting a useful search result.
Here the search engine doesnt try and determine rather try to determine. To shows motive. to is followed by a verb.

hence, B is correct

arora1 · Answer

Nice question, which is similar to the ones that we see on Gmat.

B is the best answer of the lot.

In option D: "Although search engines use past searches to try and determine"... means that search engines TRY and DETERMINE (they do two things). But what do they try?
Better is to say try to determine (option B)

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