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Formulating a precise search query remains the

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AjiteshArun
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Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink] New post  18 Aug 2017, 04:30
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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.
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aceGMAT21
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Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink] New post  Updated on: 13 Nov 2017, 08:40
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AjiteshArun wrote:
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.
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

Originally posted by aceGMAT21 on 13 Nov 2017, 05:22.
Last edited by aceGMAT21 on 13 Nov 2017, 08:40, edited 1 time in total.
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AjiteshArun
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Re: Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink] New post  13 Nov 2017, 07:03
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aceGMAT21 wrote:
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 the Main Difference between Although and Despite/In spite of?

Thanks.
-aceGMAT21
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.
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Re: Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink] New post  13 Nov 2017, 10:17
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
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Re: Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink] New post  18 Sep 2019, 04:56
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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Re: Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink] New post  23 Mar 2023, 09:56
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Re: Formulating a precise search query remains the [#permalink]
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