One imp thing please don't cross options containing not only...but
always check for parallelism

NOT ONLY X...BUT Y is also correct

one gmat prep question:

By pressing a tiny amount of nitrogen between two diamonds to a pressure of 25 milliion pounds per square inch, scientists not only were able to transform the gas into a solid, but they also created a semiconductor similar to silicon

A. not only were able to transform the gas into a solid, but they also created
B. not only were able to transform the gas into a solid but also creating
C. were able not only to transform the gas into a solid but to create
D. were able not only to transform the gas into a solid but also creating
E. were able not only to transform the gas into a solid but they were also able to create

the correct answer is c, the only choice that features proper parallelism.


Similarly :
In 1926, in her second attempt to swim across the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle not only
crossed the Channel against currents that forced her to swim thirty-five miles instead of the
minimal twenty-one, but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost
two hours faster than anyone had yet done.

A. but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than
anyone had yet done.

B. but also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had
yet done. ->correct parallelism not only crossed but also set
C. but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, and setting a
record for speed.
D. but also setting a record for speed by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than
anyone had yet done.
E. but, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, she also set a
record for speed.

My vote for B.
not only crossed... but also swam (in C, has swimming which is not ll).

B C or D.
B: Not only crossed the channel ... but also set a record...
D: Not only crossed the channel ... but also SETTING a record.
C: Not only crossed the channel .. but also swam ... (NOPE).

B to me is a better choice.

Yes B....

Not only crossed.......but also set.......

Caught between B and C - chose B for simplicity ....

Not only..crossed(Past Tense Verb)..But also set (Past Tense Verb)

Tip: always try to keep but + also as close together as possible. This is GMAT style.

GMAT PREFERENCE is what I call.

gmat prefer "consider x y" to "consider x as y" but there is gmatprep question in which "consider x as y" is in oa.

gmat prefers "not only, but also" but "not only ,but" can be in oa in a gmatprep question.

gmat prefer verbless phrase stands before main verb. but this phrase standing behind the main verb is in oa.

gmat prefer clear pronoun, but ambiguous pronoun appears in oa.

all above thing appears in og and gmatprep question. this phenominon I call GMAT PREFERENCE.

is my thinking correct?

One more error with C - The answer choice uses "IN"

but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than

You must not use "In" here... and hence eliminate the answer choice <Explanation source: GMAT prep>

can anybody explain why this is wrong "swam the distance in almost two hours"

I think it is about usage and meaning.

....but also swam the distance in almost two hours .. such usage has a limiting effect ; meaning that the sentence/clause seems complete and we do not expect any comparison to follow.

but when we say .... but she swam the distance in almost two hours ..... some new info. OR comparison is expected to follow otherwise the clause will be incomplete

She swam the distance in almost two hours --- this clause is correct wrt grammar and meaning BUT is not correct when we want to add comparison.

Also C has other errors.


I do not mind Kudos...
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Hello,

The explanation given for choice A in the gmat prep software is that 'not only' followed by a past tense verb anticipates a 'but also' followed by a past tense verb.

Can anyone please comment on the explanation?

Thanks
AK

There are two things the explanation is pointing at:

1. "Not only" should be followed by "but also".
2. In this prticular case "not only" followed by past tense requires that "but also" be followed by past tense, since both these parts are covered by "in 1926".

In my childhood, I not only played football, but also learnt piano. (the phrase " in my childhood" makes it mandataory to use past in both "not only..." and " bt also..."

In 1926, in her second attempt to swim across the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle not only crossed the Channel against currents that forced her to swim thirty-five miles instead of the minimal twenty-one, but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done.

A. but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone bad yet done.
B. but also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done.
C. but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, and setting a record for speed.
D. but also setting a record for speed by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done
E. but, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, she also set a record for speed.


SV: Gertrude Ederle + crossed
VT: Simple past
Pronoun: Her --> Gertrude
Idiom: Not only... but also
Modifier: Swimming the distance...

not only x but [also] y

B

In 1926, in her second attempt to swim across the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle not only crossed the Channel against currents that forced her to swim thirty-five miles instead of the minimal twenty-one, but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done.

A. but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone bad yet done. -Not only X , but also Y idiom
B. but also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done. - Correct
C. but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, and setting a record for speed. -- and setting a record for speed breaks the parallelism as we need a verb here
D. but also setting a record for speed by swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done - Not only crossed(X) should be parallel to but also setting(Y) --> crossed and setting are not parallel
E. but, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, she also set a record for speed. - Not only X , but also Y idiom
Answer B
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Parallel market present: not only but [also]

A: not only crossed...but she
- verb vs noun, eliminate

B: not only crossed...but also set
- keep

C: not only crossed...but also swam
- keep

D: not only crossed...but also setting
- tenses don't match, eliminate

E: not only crosssed...but...she
- verb vs noun, eliminate

B vs C
B: the construction uses an -ING modifier, which plays the role of the outcome. The text to the left of the modifier represents a catalyst .

C: "Comma And" makes it seem like there are three items being discussed. There are only two items. The list for parallelism here consists of:
1. not only crossed
2. but swam (matches with #1)
3. and setting (doesn't match with pattern set with #1).

My selection: Choice B

Hi sayantanc2k

if the time marker such as "in 1926" or "in my childhood" is not there, can we then use different tenses?

My doubt is that Does tense needs to be same to ensure right parallelism?

Could someone tell me how the usage of 'than anyone had yet done'- past perfect correct in the correct option?