In 1800, nearly 25 years after he discovered methane gas,

Question

In 1800, nearly 25 years after  he discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, developed  the voltaic pile, the first electric battery. 

 he discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, developed 
 his discovery of methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, developed 
 his discovery of methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, had developed 
 he discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, had developed 
 he had discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, he developed

arjsingh1976 · Answer

A is my choice for following reasons.

first I think we need 'he' rathar than 'his' since 'his' is a possessive pronoun and can't refer to a subject noun.( Please correct if I am wrong here)
Second is tense..we need simple past 'developed' rathar than 'had developed'

trivikram · Answer

Correct possessive pronouns can refer back to posessive nouns only

and we need a simple past here and the use of perfect tense inst necessary

A stands

thadipalam · Answer

My pick is B.

When we have two events in the past, dont we have to clearly indicate the sequence by using past perfect tense?

Arjsingh/trivikram , can you please explain why possessive pronoun can't refer back to the noun? I would really appreciate it....

What is OA?
Thanks

trivikram · Answer

My favourite example from MGMAT

Jose's room is so messy that HIS mother calls HIM a pig

Jose's is a posessive noun and HIS is a posessive pronoun.

HIS can refer to Jose's 'cos of the above reason.

But the objective pronoun HIM is wrong here 'cos it cannot refer to a posessive noun (Jose's in this case).

jainan24 · Answer

So then why "his" is wrong? Could some one explain?

I mean what is wrong with B

In A both tense are past (but events separated by 25 years, can we still use past tense for both?)

karlfurt · Answer

Is there anyone who wants to take his chance. This SC is really interesting.

Viperace · Answer

I have the same doubt

a) In addition to her discovery of ..., Mary's contributions include ...
b) In addition to her discovery of ..., Mary contributed ....

How does one tells ?

thadipalam · Answer

Trivikram,

Thanks for explaining it.

Does that mean the right sentence will be?
Jose's room is so messy that HIS mother calls Jose a pig .

Or does the entire sentence have to to be restructured?

Thanks

tennis1ball · Answer

i agree with A.

C D are wrong with past tense.
E is wrong also because of past tense.

B using noun is not so good as A's direct sentence.

karlfurt · Answer

I don't agree that it is the only case where possessive pronouns can be used correctly.

 The man owns a car and a bicycle but his car is broken. 
'His' can refer to the man, which is the subject and not a possessive. And that doesn't contradict your example from MGMAT.

asaf · Answer

A looks just fine here...


he discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, developed 
 his discovery  of methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century,  developed  
 his discovery  of methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century,  had developed  
he discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, had developed - HE HAD DEVELOPED METHANE EARLER SO THE 'HAD' role needs swaping.
 he  had discovered methane gas, Allessando Volta, one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century,  he  developed

karlfurt · Answer

Congrats Thadipalam, OA is B!

You were right, one verb has to be past perfect, and the other one simple past. And there is no mistake about the usage of the pronoun.

trivikram · Answer

But how? 

Flip A and B and see


 Allessando Volta , one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, developed the voltaic pile, the first electric battery in 1800, nearly 25 years after   he   discovered methane gas

 Allessando Volta , one of the most famous Italian physicists of the 18th century, developed the voltaic pile, the first electric battery in 1800, nearly 25 years after   his   discovery of methane gas.

karlfurt · Answer

I see and what? :shock:

arjsingh1976 · Answer

Does any one remember any OG question which says that possessive pronoun can only refer back to possessive noun.

As per Manhatten SC guide 'possessive pronouns can refer back to possessive nouns'. Word 'can' is a loose term here.

Can some one explain this point with accuracy and detail? 
Thanks

In 1800, nearly 25 years after he discovered methane gas,

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards