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Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that di

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dabaobao

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18 Apr 2020, 05:25

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LithiumIon

Verbal Question of The Day: Day 46: Sentence Correction

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(A) Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but - Wrong: 1) Redundancy 2) Verb

(B) At first, hurricanes travel from east to west, because that is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, but - Correct

(C) While hurricanes travel from east to west at first, the direction of the prevailing winds blowing in the tropics, and - Wrong: 1) Structure 2) Verb

(D) Because hurricanes at first travel from east to west, since it is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, - Wrong: 1) Meaning

(E) Hurricanes, beginning by traveling from east to west, because this is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, - Wrong: 1) Structure 2) Verb

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29 Apr 2020, 21:46

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GMATNinja

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Correct answer must be (B) for the highlighted errors in other options...

in choice B, "that is" is correct or not. "that " can refer to a noun only if "that " is relative pronoun. pls, explain this point

All constructions contained in an OA are, by definition, correct!

In this case, "that" is serving as a pronoun referring to "east to west," as discussed in this explanation. The easiest way to test whether a given pronoun properly connects to the referent in question is to substitute the referent for the pronoun and see if the sentence is logical. Here, "that is the direction of the prevailing winds" becomes "east to west is the direction of the prevailing winds." Sounds logical to me!

And if you want a more thorough treatment, check out this article for a full rundown on the various ways in which "that" might show up on the GMAT.

Hi GMATNinja,

I am still confused in regards to the use of "that". According to your paper, "that" is a demonstrative pronoun, and as such, needs to refer back to a noun. "East to west" is not a noun (?)

Also not sure if the test you used to check if a pronoun properly connects the referent is good. For example, let's take the sentence "My brother likes going to the movie ; I like that as well". I've just made up this one and I believe it wouldn't be correct in GMAT because of the use of that not refering to a noun. However, it seems to pass your test as substituting the referent with the pronoun would give a well formed sentence "I like going to the movie".

Can you please clarify this point?

Thanks a lot for your time,

JB

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03 May 2020, 07:01

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Jbbaille

GMATNinja

I'll start with your example:

"My brother likes going to the movies; I like that as well." - "going" actually functions as a noun, even though it might look like a verb.
"Going to the movies is what I like to do." - again, "going" functions as a noun here, and it's actually the subject of the sentence.
In both examples above, "going" is what's called a gerund: an -ing word that functions as a noun (for more on that, check out our article about “-ing” words), and why they aren't usually verbs.

Now back to this question. We don't have an "-ing" word, but we do have do have something else that functions as a noun even though it doesn't look like a noun: "east to west".

East to west

I hope that helps!

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03 May 2020, 13:38

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GMATNinja

Jbbaille

GMATNinja

I'll start with your example:

"My brother likes going to the movies; I like that as well." - "going" actually functions as a noun, even though it might look like a verb.
"Going to the movies is what I like to do." - again, "going" functions as a noun here, and it's actually the subject of the sentence.
In both examples above, "going" is what's called a gerund: an -ing word that functions as a noun (for more on that, check out our article about “-ing” words), and why they aren't usually verbs.

Now back to this question. We don't have an "-ing" word, but we do have do have something else that functions as a noun even though it doesn't look like a noun: "east to west".

East to west

I hope that helps!

Thanks GMATNinja, it does help.

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06 May 2020, 09:46

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[quote="LithiumIon"]Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but they then veer off toward higher latitudes, in many cases changing direction toward the east before dissipating over the colder, more northerly waters or over land.

(A) Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but (Redundant usage of words first and begin)

(B) At first, hurricanes travel from east to west, because that is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, but

(C) While hurricanes travel from east to west at first, the direction of the prevailing winds blowing in the tropics, and (gives the structure of list A, B, and C which are not parallel)

(D) Because hurricanes at first travel from east to west, since it is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, (Using both because and since makes the sentence awkward)

(E) Hurricanes, beginning by traveling from east to west, because this is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics,

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23 Jun 2020, 07:09

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Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, (Main clause. Subject – “Hurricanes”; Verb – “begin”)
because that direction is the way (Dependent clause modifying the main verb. Subject – “that direction”; Verb – “is”)
the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, (dependent clause modifying “way” Subject – “winds”; Verb – “blow”)
but they then veer off toward higher latitudes, (Another independent clause. Subject – “they”; Verb – “veer off”)
in many cases changing direction toward the east before dissipating over the colder, more northerly waters or over land. (Verb-ing modifier modifying the preceding clause)
The sentence says:

Hurricanes begin their travel from east to west because the prevailing winds in the tropics blow in the same direction, but then the hurricanes move toward higher latitudes. In many cases, (when they are moving toward higher latitudes) they change direction toward the east before they dissipate over the colder waters or land.

The sentence has the following errors:

The use of both “at first” and “begin” creates redundancy.
“That direction is the way” is an overly wordy way to express the idea — “way” means same as “direction”.
Since the second independent clause presents the idea in the simple present tense (“veer off”), it is logical to expect in the given context that the first will also present the information in simple present i.e. using “travel”.
Option Analysis
(A) Incorrect. For the reasons mentioned above.

(B) Correct. This option corrects all the three errors in the original sentence without introducing any new error.

(C) Incorrect. For the following reasons:

Since “while” introduces a dependent clause, an independent clause is expected after the “while” clause. However, “the direction… tropics” is not an independent clause since it doesn’t have a verb.
This option seems to illogically present a contrast between “hurricanes travel…” and “the direction …tropics”. The logical and original relationship is of causality between these two ideas.
(D) Incorrect. For the following reasons:

The use of “because” and “since” together is incorrect.
The non-underlined part becomes the main clause for the “since” clause in this option. However, there is no causal relationship between the “since” clause and the non-underlined part. Thus, the given structure doesn’t make sense.
(E) Incorrect. For the following reasons:

No verb for “Hurricanes”.
The independent clause in the non-underlined part is not connected properly with the previous independent clause. Two independent clauses cannot be joined just by a comma.

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23 Jun 2020, 20:47

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LithiumIon

Verbal Question of The Day: Day 46: Sentence Correction

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(A) Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but

(B) At first, hurricanes travel from east to west, because that is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, but

(C) While hurricanes travel from east to west at first, the direction of the prevailing winds blowing in the tropics, and

(D) Because hurricanes at first travel from east to west, since it is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics,

(E) Hurricanes, beginning by traveling from east to west, because this is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics,

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Sorry I'm new to this but why is there a comma before "because" in b?

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27 Jun 2020, 15:34

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wmjt123 Comma usage is not very rule-bound in most cases. One common way to look at it is that we add a comma wherever we would pause when speaking. The GMAT will often throw in a comma just to improve readability. In this case, we could say that setting off the "because" portion with commas helps to improve clarity by showing that "at first" only applies to the initial clause. In other words, we're not saying "First they travel east to west because of X, and then they travel east to west for some other reason." Rather we're saying "First they travel east to west (and here's why that happens), and then they veer off and do something else."

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19 Jul 2020, 11:53

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(A) Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but
Usage of continuous tense disrupts the meaning

(B) At first, hurricanes travel from east to west, because that is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, but
no noticeable error at first glance, hold it

(C) While hurricanes travel from east to west at first, the direction of the prevailing winds blowing in the tropics, and
seems like the direction here modifies at First instead of east to west

(D) Because hurricanes at first travel from east to west, since it is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics,
meaning ambiguity

(E) Hurricanes, beginning by traveling from east to west, because this is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics,
the missing verb for subject hurricanes

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01 Aug 2020, 06:48

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Hi all! I realize this question is discussed in great detail. However, I am confused on the comma usage following the underlined portion even though I realize that it is not being tested here.

Specifically, the ",in many..." portion. To me, it seems as if it is a run-on sentence. Wouldn't ",in many..." need to be ",changing direction in many cases" to make it a complete sentence? Any insights from an expert would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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10 Jan 2021, 00:58

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Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but they then veer off toward higher latitudes, in many cases changing direction toward the east before dissipating over the colder, more northerly waters or over land.

(A) Hurricanes at first begin traveling from east to west, because that direction is the way the prevailing winds in the tropics blow, but -> two errors "at first begin" and "that direction is the way" have redundancy issues.

(B) At first, hurricanes travel from east to west, because that is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, but -> that acts as a pronoun and refers "east to west". It makes sense. Let's keep it.

(C) While hurricanes travel from east to west at first, the direction of the prevailing winds blowing in the tropics, and -> Meaning issue. Direction of the wind causing hurricane to move, not otherwise and "and" in last is incorrect, we need "but" to put contrast in play.

(D) Because hurricanes at first travel from east to west, since it is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, -> Meaning changed..Because of wind travel, hurricane travel...

(E) Hurricanes, beginning by traveling from east to west, because this is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, -> "this" cannot be used as pronoun, sentence has a structure issue.

So, I think B.

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10 Jul 2021, 04:30

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Hello everyone!

At first X, but Y
Do X and Y need to be parallel?

Along with the redundancy error, I also eliminated option A thinking that 'begin travelling.....' (beginning with a verb) is not parallel to 'they then veer off....' (beginning with a noun). Can anyone help whether I am thinking correctly?

Thanks in advance!

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10 Jul 2021, 11:09

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AS21gmat

Hi AS21gmat,

Ignore that at first. The elements joined by but are hurricanes travel from east to west (clause) and they then veer off toward higher latitudes (clause).

B. At first, hurricanes travel from east to west, because that is the direction of the prevailing winds in the tropics, but they then veer off toward higher latitudes...

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28 Sep 2023, 22:07

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How can "That" refer to "east to west"? Is "east to west" a noun?

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29 Sep 2023, 06:04

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How can "That" refer to "east to west"? Is "east to west" a noun?

No.

In this case, "that" refers to "from east to west," which is not a noun.

The sentence takes the liberty of referring to "from east to west" using "that" because "from east to west" is a direction. Notice that we could say, "From east to west is the direction in which it traveled," using "from east to west" as the subject of the sentence.

So, the question writer considered "from east to west" a thing and referred to it using "that" to create a sentence version that's better than the others, though not ideal. So, we go with (B) because the sentence it produces is the best one rather than a perfect one.

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