Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 02:45 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 02:45
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
   1   2   3   
Sub 505 (Easy)|   Modifiers|                     
User avatar
ArtVandaley
User avatar
Joined: 10 Sep 2013
Last visit: 05 Feb 2022
Posts: 285
Own Kudos:
430
 [1]
Given Kudos: 120
Location: India
Schools: Darden '23 Sloan '22
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
GPA: 4
Schools: Darden '23 Sloan '22
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
Posts: 285
Kudos: 430
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 26 May 2019, 09:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Shouldn't VERB+ING agree with the subject of the preceding clause when seperated by the comma?

OG itself has eliminated several options by stating that the verbing is not agreeing with the subject of the clause.

Here, option C, tries to convey that "a large area of the surface of the Mercury" did the act of revealing.

Can experts please guide.
daagh egmat mikemcgarry

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
MartyTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
Last visit: 11 Aug 2023
Posts: 3,472
Own Kudos:
5,637
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1,430
Status:Chief Curriculum and Content Architect
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 3,472
Kudos: 5,637
 [2]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 26 May 2019, 11:39
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
darshak1
Shouldn't VERB+ING agree with the subject of the preceding clause when seperated by the comma?

OG itself has eliminated several options by stating that the verbing is not agreeing with the subject of the clause.

Here, option C, tries to convey that "a large area of the surface of the Mercury" did the act of revealing.
Show more
What you are saying is absolutely correct. When a participial phrase follows a clause + comma, ideally, that phrase would have as its agent the subject of the preceding clause. So, read literally, the version created via the use of (C) is nonsensical.

Of course, the others are even worse. Soooo, you have to choose (C).

What can we learn from seeing this question? We can learn that the official answers to GMAT Sentence Correction questions are not always without flaws. So, sometimes we have to figure out which choice the question writer thought to be the best choice - lame, I realize, but that's the way it is. Since, in this case, all of the other choices have blatant comparison related errors, along with, in some cases, modification errors, (C), with no comparison error and and a somewhat subtle modification error is the one to choose.
User avatar
unraveled
User avatar
Joined: 07 Mar 2019
Last visit: 10 Apr 2025
Posts: 2,706
Own Kudos:
2,328
Given Kudos: 763
Location: India
WE:Sales (Energy)
Posts: 2,706
Kudos: 2,328
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 26 Aug 2020, 03:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MartyTargetTestPrep
darshak1
Shouldn't VERB+ING agree with the subject of the preceding clause when seperated by the comma?

OG itself has eliminated several options by stating that the verbing is not agreeing with the subject of the clause.

Here, option C, tries to convey that "a large area of the surface of the Mercury" did the act of revealing.
What you are saying is absolutely correct. When a participial phrase follows a clause + comma, ideally, that phrase would have as its agent the subject of the preceding clause. So, read literally, the version created via the use of (C) is nonsensical.

Of course, the others are even worse. Soooo, you have to choose (C).

What can we learn from seeing this question? We can learn that the official answers to GMAT Sentence Correction questions are not always without flaws. So, sometimes we have to figure out which choice the question writer thought to be the best choice - lame, I realize, but that's the way it is. Since, in this case, all of the other choices have blatant comparison related errors, along with, in some cases, modification errors, (C), with no comparison error and and a somewhat subtle modification error is the one to choose.
Show more
MartyTargetTestPrep
Here's C

In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, revealing a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon.

I get your point but isn't C in passive voice. So, isn't "a large area of the surface of the Mercury" the object? Isn't
A participial phrase that follows a clause + comma does either of the two things:
1. modify main noun(subject)
2. modify the whole preceding clause.
Here in C the 2nd one is being done.
The meaning is actually that the "act of photographing" revealed(an unintentional action) the degree of cratering.

Sorry for the tag.
User avatar
MartyTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
Last visit: 11 Aug 2023
Posts: 3,472
Own Kudos:
5,637
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1,430
Status:Chief Curriculum and Content Architect
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 3,472
Kudos: 5,637
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 26 Aug 2020, 06:55
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
unraveled
MartyTargetTestPrep
darshak1
Shouldn't VERB+ING agree with the subject of the preceding clause when seperated by the comma?

OG itself has eliminated several options by stating that the verbing is not agreeing with the subject of the clause.

Here, option C, tries to convey that "a large area of the surface of the Mercury" did the act of revealing.
What you are saying is absolutely correct. When a participial phrase follows a clause + comma, ideally, that phrase would have as its agent the subject of the preceding clause. So, read literally, the version created via the use of (C) is nonsensical.

Of course, the others are even worse. Soooo, you have to choose (C).

What can we learn from seeing this question? We can learn that the official answers to GMAT Sentence Correction questions are not always without flaws. So, sometimes we have to figure out which choice the question writer thought to be the best choice - lame, I realize, but that's the way it is. Since, in this case, all of the other choices have blatant comparison related errors, along with, in some cases, modification errors, (C), with no comparison error and and a somewhat subtle modification error is the one to choose.
MartyTargetTestPrep
Here's C

In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, revealing a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon.

I get your point but isn't C in passive voice. So, isn't "a large area of the surface of the Mercury" the object? Isn't
A participial phrase that follows a clause + comma does either of the two things:
1. modify main noun(subject)
2. modify the whole preceding clause.
Here in C the 2nd one is being done.
The meaning is actually that the "act of photographing" revealed(an unintentional action) the degree of cratering.

Sorry for the tag.
Show more
The act of photographing is not mentioned. We can all tell what the sentence is meant to convey, but if we go by how modifiers work, while that closing participial phrase modifies the preceding clause, it should have an agent in the preceding clause, and the only possible agent is "a large area of the surface of Mercury."
avatar
Manisha_1991
avatar
Joined: 20 Feb 2017
Last visit: 18 May 2021
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 29
Posts: 15
Kudos: 2
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 05 Oct 2020, 19:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Gnpth
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s.


(A) which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s

(B) to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon

(C) revealing a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon

(D) and revealed cratering similar in degree to the Moon

(E) that revealed cratering similar in degree to that of the Moon
Show more

Want to understand how is option C correct,
The usage of ing modifier preceded by a comma is supposed to be modifying the preceding clause and depicts the cause and effect
Here the subject is large area of the surface so the modifier doesn't seem to make much sense here
Also please help understand why is option E wrong

Experts please help in understanding
GMATNinja daagh VeritasKarishma
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,438
Own Kudos:
79,368
 [1]
Given Kudos: 484
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,438
Kudos: 79,368
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 08 Oct 2020, 04:55
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Manisha_1991
Gnpth
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s.


(A) which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s

(B) to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon

(C) revealing a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon

(D) and revealed cratering similar in degree to the Moon

(E) that revealed cratering similar in degree to that of the Moon

Want to understand how is option C correct,
The usage of ing modifier preceded by a comma is supposed to be modifying the preceding clause and depicts the cause and effect
Here the subject is large area of the surface so the modifier doesn't seem to make much sense here
Also please help understand why is option E wrong

Experts please help in understanding
GMATNinja daagh VeritasKarishma
Show more


Check here:
https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2014/1 ... -the-gmat/

'revealing ...' is a present participle modifier modifying the entire preceding clause 'large area ... was photographed from varying distances'.
This 'photographing' led to the reveal.
User avatar
penco
User avatar
Joined: 22 Sep 2020
Last visit: 04 Apr 2022
Posts: 72
Own Kudos:
45
Given Kudos: 40
Location: India
Schools: Kelley (A)
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V36
GRE 1: Q166 V157
GPA: 3.4
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kelley (A)
GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V36
GRE 1: Q166 V157
Posts: 72
Kudos: 45
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 11 Jan 2021, 05:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Gnpth
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s.


(A) which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s

(B) to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon

(C) revealing a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon

(D) and revealed cratering similar in degree to the Moon

(E) that revealed cratering similar in degree to that of the Moon
Show more



To whom is "which" referring to in option A ? imo It's area ( as it was photographed -verb and area would be the subject for that )
User avatar
EducationAisle
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,903
Own Kudos:
3,585
 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,903
Kudos: 3,585
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 12 Jan 2021, 01:32
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
penco
To whom is "which" referring to in option A ? imo It's area
Show more
Yeah..either area or the photograph, but definitely not distances, as suggested by A.
avatar
mk96
avatar
Joined: 14 Mar 2018
Last visit: 18 Sep 2022
Posts: 74
Own Kudos:
22
Given Kudos: 194
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Finance
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
GPA: 4
WE:Corporate Finance (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
Posts: 74
Kudos: 22
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 07 Mar 2021, 22:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi i would like Gmat Ninja to reply to this post-

1. In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon???s

In this question, you???d see ???official guide??? mentions that the use of ???which is correct??? but how can that be correct? Which refers to the preceding noun right? It never refers to the preceding clause/never modifies an action and even if you study the meaning of the sentence, the second half of this sentence explains the ???result??? aspect of the preceding clause, and hence ???verb-ing??? fits correctly here (hence the right answer is C). But why does the official guide says that ???use of which is correct???. It shouldn???t be no?
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 16 Apr 2026
Posts: 7,391
Own Kudos:
70,784
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2,126
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,391
Kudos: 70,784
 [2]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 12 Mar 2021, 16:55
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mk96
Hi i would like Gmat Ninja to reply to this post-

1. In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon???s

In this question, you???d see ???official guide??? mentions that the use of ???which is correct??? but how can that be correct? Which refers to the preceding noun right? It never refers to the preceding clause/never modifies an action and even if you study the meaning of the sentence, the second half of this sentence explains the ???result??? aspect of the preceding clause, and hence ???verb-ing??? fits correctly here (hence the right answer is C). But why does the official guide says that ???use of which is correct???. It shouldn???t be no?
Show more
This is an excellent reminder for why we want to take these official explanations with a grain of salt. For starters, remember that the folks who write these explanations are not the same ones who write the questions themselves.

Just as importantly: because some explanations contradict others, it's not clear how we could them as prescriptive guides for evaluating answer choices even if we wanted to. There are dozens of instances in which an official explanation insists that the use of "which" is faulty because it lacks a clear or logical antecedent. But if it's true that "which" can modify an entire clause, how would the antecedent ever be clear? Wouldn't we constantly be agonizing over whether it refers to a single noun or a full clause? How would we know? Seems like a problem.

So here are our options:

    (A) We can continue to evaluate "which" the same way we always have, namely, asking ourselves whether there is a noun or noun phrase in the vicinity that it could logically describe. Or...
    (B) Every time we see the word "which" on the GMAT, we can panic and spiral into an existential crisis in which we agonize over whether this is one of those rare cases when "which" could potentially modify anything, a noun or a full clause.

If we consider that we've almost never seen a single correct answer to an official question that uses "which" without any logical noun it could refer to, and that the official explanations sometimes contradict each other, I think it's a pretty safe bet that the first option is the way to go here. And if, after evaluating a "which," you're still not sure whether it's used correctly, you can simply move on to other issues you feel more confident about.

I hope that eases your mind a bit!
User avatar
AnirudhaS
User avatar
LBS Moderator
Joined: 30 Oct 2019
Last visit: 25 Jun 2024
Posts: 779
Own Kudos:
887
Given Kudos: 1,575
Posts: 779
Kudos: 887
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 19 Jun 2021, 09:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'll put the Official explanation below for the benefit of all.

OE:
Logical predication; Parallelism
This sentence’s second clause, expressing what the imaging of Mercury
showed, must be linked to the first clause in a grammatically correct
way. This is best done either by an appositive relative clause (requiring
the relative marker which), or by a clause starting with a nonfinite verb
(to reveal or revealing). Also, whatever is said to be similar to a degree of
cratering (on Mercury) should also be a degree of cratering (on the
Moon); this must be expressed clearly.
A. The use of which is correct, but that of the Moon’s is inferior to that
of the Moon, because the possessive ’s and that of the redundantly
express the same idea. That of the Moon’s appears to refer,
illogically, to cratering of some unspecified thing that belongs to the
Moon, not cratering of the Moon itself.
B. To reveal is acceptable, but to the Moon incorrectly compares a
physical entity (the Moon) to a degree of cratering.
C. Correct. Revealing is a good way to start the second clause, and to
that of the Moon properly contrasts two degrees of cratering.
D. And is incorrect as a way to introduce the second clause; to the
Moon makes the wrong sort of comparison.
E. That is not the correct way to introduce an appositive relative
clause. That is typically used restrictively, whereas the comma
preceding it makes the ensuing clause nonrestrictive. This leaves the
meaning unclear.
The correct answer is C.
avatar
vickytvn
avatar
Joined: 13 Nov 2016
Last visit: 14 Jul 2022
Posts: 21
Own Kudos:
8
Given Kudos: 70
Posts: 21
Kudos: 8
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 18 Sep 2021, 07:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dcummins
I understand why C is correct, but I didn't understand why A was incorrect so I selected A initially. Then I read the OG and I now understand that the reason C is correct is the same reason A is incorrect.

(A) "which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon\('s\)"

The comma + which modifier is correctly used.
However we have a redundancy error caused by the conflict between the relative pronoun "that" and possessive "Moon's".

Substitution will make this easier to see:
, "which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that (cratering) of the Moon's (cratering)" - it's hard to see without substitution, but it's logical to conclude (A) is redundant.

(C) "revealing a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon"

This is correct and here are the rules you need to understand to see this ;) :
Verb-ing modifier:
- If separated by comma, modifies preceding clause and associates with the subject
- If separated by comma, modifies the following clause or modifies only the subject
- If not separated by comma, modifies the noun

That is a relative pronoun that has a number of rules but here are the ones relevant to this:
- Relative pronouns must be placed close to the noun they modify otherwise it will be incorrect:
- substitute the antecedent for the relative pronoun to confirm agreement and meaning
Show more


I have confusion between C and E.
My concern since the subject of passive tense is large area , how it could be revealing degree of cratering.
It must be the photographs of area that must have revealed some facts. Thus I rejected option C and had to pick E.
Where my reasoning is wrong . kindly advise.
User avatar
saliak
User avatar
Joined: 12 Sep 2021
Last visit: 17 May 2022
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 90
Location: India
GMAT 1: 620 Q42 V34
GMAT 1: 620 Q42 V34
Posts: 6
Kudos: 3
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 26 Sep 2021, 04:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Why can't 'which' be modifying 'photographed' ?

Thank you
User avatar
EducationAisle
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,903
Own Kudos:
3,585
 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,903
Kudos: 3,585
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 26 Sep 2021, 04:42
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
saliak
Why can't 'which' be modifying 'photographed' ?
Show more
This is because "which" is a pronoun and hence, can only refer to nouns (because this is what pronouns do :) ).

"Photographed" is not a noun.
avatar
Bhati89
avatar
Joined: 19 Mar 2022
Last visit: 19 Jan 2025
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 03 Apr 2022, 07:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Why is (A) wrong here ? why is comma + which wrong here ?
User avatar
EducationAisle
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,903
Own Kudos:
3,585
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,903
Kudos: 3,585
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 03 Apr 2022, 08:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bhati89
Why is (A) wrong here ? why is comma + which wrong here ?
Show more
This is because which seems to be modifying (referring to) "varying distances" and this clearly does not make sense.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses modifier issues with "which", their application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
User avatar
ExpertsGlobal5
User avatar
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 6,216
Own Kudos:
6,160
 [1]
Given Kudos: 44
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 6,216
Kudos: 6,160
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 04 Apr 2022, 07:04
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bhati89
Why is (A) wrong here ? why is comma + which wrong here ?
Show more

Hello Bhati89,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the use of the "comma + which" construction is incorrect in Option A because it causes the modifier "which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s" to refer directly to the noun "distances", illogically implying that the distances from which the surface of Mercury was photographed revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon; the intended meaning is that the surface of Mercury was photographed, and as a result, a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon was revealed; remember, when “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma.

Option C conveys the correct meaning through the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "revealing" in this sentence)" construction; remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “revealing” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
User avatar
devil.rocx
User avatar
Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Last visit: 04 Dec 2022
Posts: 31
Own Kudos:
6
Given Kudos: 83
Posts: 31
Kudos: 6
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 22 Apr 2022, 00:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Dear MartyTargetTestPrep

In option B

In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s.

(B) to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon

While the comparison error was easy to find, I am confused about the correctness of "to reveal" here

Correct me if am wrong.

Here, to reveal is acting as an "adverb" and modifying the action "was photographed" so it is not gramtically incorrect to say
"In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon."
and the only error is in the meaning and comparison.
User avatar
MartyTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
Last visit: 11 Aug 2023
Posts: 3,472
Own Kudos:
5,637
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1,430
Status:Chief Curriculum and Content Architect
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 3,472
Kudos: 5,637
 [2]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 22 Apr 2022, 04:17
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
devil.rocx
Dear MartyTargetTestPrep

In option B

In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s.

(B) to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon

While the comparison error was easy to find, I am confused about the correctness of "to reveal" here

Correct me if am wrong.

Here, to reveal is acting as an "adverb" and modifying the action "was photographed" so it is not gramtically incorrect to say
"In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon."
and the only error is in the meaning and comparison.
Show more
The "to reveal" version of the sentence is indeed grammatically correct, and it uses a structure that is accepted in English, even though, when read literally, it conveys a meaning that doesn't make sense.

In English it is acceptable to use the following type of structure.

"X was y to z," where "was y" is a passive voice verb and "to z" is the purpose of the "y" action.

So, in this case, "a large area ... was photographed ... to reveal a degree of cratering," is acceptable even though, if read literally, it seems to convey that "a large area" had a purpose when it "was photographed," which purpose was "to reveal a degree of cratering."

People do not read such sentences literally. Rather they ascribe the "to z" purpose to the unnamed actor who performed the "y" action on "x."

So, in this case, "to reveal a degree of cratering" is understood to have been the purpose of the people who photographed the area of the surface of Mercury.

So, short answer, yes, only the comparison is clearly incorrect in that version.
User avatar
ExpertsGlobal5
User avatar
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 6,216
Own Kudos:
6,160
 [1]
Given Kudos: 44
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 6,216
Kudos: 6,160
 [1]
In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from 22 Apr 2022, 04:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
devil.rocx
Dear MartyTargetTestPrep

In option B

In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, which revealed a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon’s.

(B) to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon

While the comparison error was easy to find, I am confused about the correctness of "to reveal" here

Correct me if am wrong.

Here, to reveal is acting as an "adverb" and modifying the action "was photographed" so it is not gramtically incorrect to say
"In 1974 a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed from varying distances, to reveal a degree of cratering similar to the Moon."
and the only error is in the meaning and comparison.
Show more

Hello devil.rocx,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, your reasoning here is, indeed, correct; the use of "to reveal" in Option B is grammatically correct and does convey a logical meaning - the infinitive verb ("to + base form of verb") acts upon the verb "photographed" to convey a sense of purpose behind the action; remember, the infinitive verb form is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose/intent of an action.

The error produced by this usage is that it changes the meaning; Option B implies that a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed in order to reveal a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon; the intended meaning is that a large area of the surface of Mercury was photographed, and as a result, a degree of cratering similar to that of the Moon was revealed; remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “revealing” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.

To understand the concept of "Infinitive" vs "Present Participle" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):


All the best!
Experts' Global Team
   1   2   3   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts
AbhishekP220108
494 posts
bhanu29
358 posts