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605-655 (Medium)|   Comparisons|   Idioms/Diction/Redundancy|   Verb Tense/Form|                  
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Naptiste
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 04 Dec 2021, 07:03
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Hello,

I understand the problems mentioned in D):
- "could" being redundant
- "throughout" instead of "though"

In my opinion, there is another problem with D):

In a comparison, if the second element of the comparison contains a form of to be, then the first element must also contain it.
Here as D contains "are" in the second element; therefore, a form of "to be" should also be in the first element of the comparison. As there is no form of "to be" in the first element of the comparison, the use of "they are" in the second is wrong here.


Am I right?

Thanks


AbdurRakib
Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an early signal of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through the end of the year.

(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through

Show Spoiler
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/09/business/fuel-prices-move-higher-and-trend-is-expected-to-persist.html

Fuel prices have risen over the last two weeks, and analysts warn that the increase may be an early signal that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than usual through the end of the year, in large part because of chronically low stockpiles of crude oil and petroleum products in the United States.
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 10 Dec 2021, 07:45
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Naptiste
Hello,

I understand the problems mentioned in D):
- "could" being redundant
- "throughout" instead of "though"

In my opinion, there is another problem with D):

In a comparison, if the second element of the comparison contains a form of to be, then the first element must also contain it.
Here as D contains "are" in the second element; therefore, a form of "to be" should also be in the first element of the comparison. As there is no form of "to be" in the first element of the comparison, the use of "they are" in the second is wrong here.


Am I right?

Thanks


AbdurRakib
Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an early signal of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through the end of the year.

(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through

Show Spoiler
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/09/business/fuel-prices-move-higher-and-trend-is-expected-to-persist.html

Fuel prices have risen over the last two weeks, and analysts warn that the increase may be an early signal that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than usual through the end of the year, in large part because of chronically low stockpiles of crude oil and petroleum products in the United States.
Show more

Hello Naptiste,

We hope this finds you well.

Having gone through the question and your query, we believe we can resolve your doubt.

No; there is no such rule that if two verb phrases are being compared and one contains a derivative of "be", the other must as well. Such verbs can be compared with any suitable verb.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 06 Jun 2022, 08:42
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Could you explain how the comparison in E is parallel? If we change option E to: prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher 'than they usually are' through ... will the option become wrong?


GMATNinja
Let’s take a look at each option:

Quote:
(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
A few things are off here. First, we already have “may be” in the first part of the sentence, so we don’t need another indication that the phrase is conditional. So the word “possibility” is redundant.

More importantly, that redundancy skews the meaning a bit. Was "gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usual" previously NOT a possibility? But because there's been a recent rise in fuel prices, "gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usual" is NOW a possibility?? That's not quite the author's intention. We aren't talking about a change in what's actually possible. Instead, we're talking about what the recent rise in fuel prices might signal.

Second, “usually” is not used correctly here. Notice that we have a comparison between the normal ("usual") prices and the current prices. As always, we want the comparison to remain parallel — "higher" is an adjective that describes “prices”, so “usual” (as an adjective) should also describe “prices.” The correct form here is “usual,” not “usually”.

Quote:
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
In (B), we have THREE indicators of conditional: "may be," "possibility" and "could." So we have the redundancy issue that we saw in (A), only worse, and the corresponding meaning issue.

We also have an idiom problem. We normally don’t encourage worrying about idioms (to see why, check out , but here’s a quick explanation of the difference between “through” and “throughout”:

  • When discussing time, “through” implies a moving towards the end or completion of something. For example, ”the quarantine will last through the month of June” — it will last until the end of June.
  • “Throughout”, when discussing time, usually means during the entire situation. For example, “the birds sang throughout the day” — the birds were singing all day.
  • In this sentence, what we care about is that the prices could stay high up until the end of the year, so “through” is better.

We can get rid of (B).

Quote:
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
Again, “usually” is incorrect, as explained above, and that on its own is probably a good enough reason to get rid of (C). The redundant conditionals (“may be” and “possibly”) give us another vote against this choice.

There's also a subtle difference in meaning here: "staying" almost makes it sound like the prices are CURRENTLY "higher than usual through the end of the year." But that's not logical because we are talking about a conditional in the future -- we don't know whether the prices will be higher yet. That's no smoking gun, but it's certainly another vote against this one.

We can get rid of (C).

Quote:
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
The use of "usually" here is ok because it modifies the verb "are," not “prices.”

But we still have redundant conditionals (“may be” and “could”). And, as in (B), “through” would be more appropriate than “throughout.”

Also, the use of "are" introduces a subtle ambiguity in meaning. "Higher than they usually are throughout the end of the year" seems to suggest that we are referring to some consistent end-of-year price level (one that is generally repeated year after year) and comparing current prices of gasoline and heating oil to the usual level (a bit like this example, where we are referring to past data and trends: "Hotel prices are lower than they usually are at this time of year.").

Again, that is a very subtle meaning issue. But we already have a couple votes against (D), so let's see if (E) is any better.

Quote:
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through
Here we have only “may be” as our conditional, so no redundancy issues. “Through” is the appropriate idiom, and “usual” correctly modifies “prices” and keeps the comparison parallel.

(E) is the best option!
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 07 Jun 2022, 13:51
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Akshi1998
Could you explain how the comparison in E is parallel? If we change option E to: prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher 'than they usually are' through ... will the option become wrong?
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That's a great question, one that captures why comparisons can't be boiled down to a set of rules.

If I write, "Right now, the temperature is higher than usual," you probably know exactly what the sentence means: right now, the temperature is higher than it [the temperature] usually is. No reasonable person would look at that sentence and think, "Wait the temperature is higher than it is usual? Nonsense!"

In other words, because there's no potential source of confusion, it's fine.

Same deal in (E), which seems to convey that gas prices are higher than the prices usually are. Makes sense. In other words, your adjustment captures precisely what (E) means, so it's also okay.

The takeaway: don't try to memorize which types of comparisons are acceptable and which ones aren't. English is too complicated. Simply ask yourself: "is the comparison clear and logical?" If it is, it's not an error. If it's not clear and logical, get rid of it.

And if you're not sure -- and sometimes you won't be -- hang on to it and look for other issues.

I hope that helps!
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 07 Jun 2022, 23:29
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Akshi1998
Could you explain how the comparison in E is parallel? If we change option E to: prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher 'than they usually are' through ... will the option become wrong?
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Hi Akshi1998, as GMATNinja has mentioned, "higher than usual" is a perfectly valid and unambiguous construct.

In fact, this seems to be a GMAT favorite construct, in comparison sentences. Following are few other GMAT official sentences that use the same construct:

Laboratory rats and mice live up to 40 percent longer than usual when fed a diet that has at least 30 percent fewer calories than they would normally eat but that otherwise contains all necessary vitamins and nutrients.

Analysts blamed May's sluggish retail sales on unexciting merchandise as well as the weather, which was colder and wetter than usual in some regions, slowing sales of barbecue grills and lawn furniture.
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 25 Oct 2022, 10:55
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Quote:
Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an early signal of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through the end of the year.

(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through
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Hi RonTargetTestPrep,
I've a little query to you...
1. is the 'they' ambiguous in choice D? doesn't the 'they' refer back to only 'prices of gasoline and heating oil'?

2. Is 'possibility' and 'maybe' redundant in choice A, B, and C? if this is the case then 'may be' and 'could' also in redundancy in choice D, isn't it?
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 25 Oct 2022, 12:05
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Akshi1998
Could you explain how the comparison in E is parallel? If we change option E to: prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher 'than they usually are' through ... will the option become wrong?
That's a great question, one that captures why comparisons can't be boiled down to a set of rules.

If I write, "Right now, the temperature is higher than usual," you probably know exactly what the sentence means: right now, the temperature is higher than it [the temperature] usually is. No reasonable person would look at that sentence and think, "Wait the temperature is higher than it is usual? Nonsense!"

In other words, because there's no potential source of confusion, it's fine.

Same deal in (E), which seems to convey that gas prices are higher than the prices usually are. Makes sense. In other words, your adjustment captures precisely what (E) means, so it's also okay.

The takeaway: don't try to memorize which types of comparisons are acceptable and which ones aren't. English is too complicated. Simply ask yourself: "is the comparison clear and logical?" If it is, it's not an error. If it's not clear and logical, get rid of it.

And if you're not sure -- and sometimes you won't be -- hang on to it and look for other issues.

I hope that helps!
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I had a same issue on it. Now, the issue is resolved from your explanation. Thanks
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 12 Nov 2022, 13:16
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Quote:
Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an early signal of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through the end of the year.

(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through
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Hi experts,
Can I just cross out choice A and C just seeing the word(s) (highlighted parts) which makes no sense themselves?
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 13 Nov 2022, 15:16
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daagh
Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an early signal of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through the end of the year.

(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through


We could also note one more tool for an early POE. We can compare adjectives with adjectives but not with adverbs. 'Higher' is an adjective while 'usually' is an adverb. We can safely eliminate A, C, and D on this count. Between B and E, the difference in meaning between 'through' and 'throughout' decides the winner that is E.
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This one could be the strong point to remove wrong choice, maybe. I got an official question where this rules perfectly fits. Here you go for the official questions.
Although the rise in the Producer Price Index was greater than expected, most analysts agreed that the index was unlikely to continue going up and that inflation remained essentially under control.

A. that the index was unlikely to continue going up and that inflation remained
B. that it was unlikely for the index continuing to go up and for inflation to remain
C. that the index was unlikely to continue to go up, with inflation to remain
D. on the unlikelihood that the index would continue going up and that inflation remained
E. on the unlikelihood that the index would continue to go up and for inflation to remain

https://gmatclub.com/forum/although-the ... l#p2266189

Both 'greater' and 'expected' are adjective. I think the experts can share more lights on it.
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 09 Jul 2023, 14:12
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GMATNinja

Can you help me with the difference in meaning between the following sentences.

1. "Hotel prices are lower than they usually are at this time of year."
2. "Hotel prices are lower than usual at this time of year."
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 20 Jul 2023, 11:41
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GMATNinja

Can you help me with the difference in meaning between the following sentences.

"Hotel prices are lower than they usually are at this time of year."

"Hotel prices are lower than usual at this time of year."
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That's probably not a terribly useful question to ask yourself on SC. To understand why, check out this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/industry-ana ... l#p2770598.

I hope that helps a bit!
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Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an 10 Oct 2023, 14:31
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Quote:
Industry analysts said that the recent rise in fuel prices may be an early signal of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through the end of the year.

(A) of the possibility of gasoline and heating oil prices staying higher than usually through
(B) of the possibility that gasoline and heating oil prices could stay higher than usual throughout
(C) of prices of gasoline and heating oil possibly staying higher than usually through
(D) that prices of gasoline and heating oil could stay higher than they usually are throughout
(E) that prices of gasoline and heating oil will stay higher than usual through
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Most of the experts said that we can't compare 'adjective to adverb' which indicates that choice C is wrong as because we need to compare 'adjective to adjective' which makes the choice E correct. So, if this is the case how do we consider the following sentence?
Mr X is older than Mr Y.
In this example, 'older' is adjective and 'Mr Y' is noun. So, is it wrong comparison?
Thanks experts...
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