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07 Mar 2021, 00:46
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E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
71% (01:07) correct
29%
(01:10)
wrong
based on 482
sessions
History
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Time
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Instant-messaging platforms have made communication simple and fast when working virtually, also becoming popular dumping grounds for fake news and passive aggressive behavior.
A) also becoming popular dumping grounds
B) and have also become popular dumping grounds
C) although also becoming popular dumping grounds
D) at the same time they have also become popular dumping grounds
E) but they have also become popular dumping grounds
07 Mar 2021, 00:49
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
THE PROMPT
The sentence describes a contrast between two functions of instant messaging platforms.
On the one hand, IM platforms have sped up and simplified virtual communication.
On the other hand, IM platforms have become popular places for people to dump fake news and to behave passive aggressively.
THE OPTIONS
These IM platforms have two very different functions in this sentence: they facilitate online communication and they hamper it—often at great social and human cost.
The option is grammatical, but it does not convey contrast very effectively.
KEEP, but look for a better answer
One controversial official sentence uses "and" in the context of contrast, but that sentence is unusual, very subtle, and likely to be seen only at the 750+ level, if ever again at all.
• unless a comma is absolutely necessary to create a clear sentence, if a single subject (IM platforms) is connected to two verbs (have made, have become), a comma should not separate the subject from the second verb phrase. See Notes, below.
ELIMINATE B
→ Exceptions to this guideline typically come at the beginning of the sentence, describe a subject that immediately follows, and contain a tacit subject and verb:
Although [she was] besieged by enemy fire, the medic would not leave her badly injured comrade.
• although also is unidiomatic and is overkill
We know that what follows although will tell us something else about IM platforms.
We that what follows also will tell us something else about IM platforms.
ELIMINATE C
→ Two independent clauses cannot be connected by only a comma. See Notes, below.
ELIMINATE D
(Eliminate A. The contrast in option E is clearer.)
→ the word but provides the appropriate contrast
→ they clearly refers to IM platforms and is followed by a verb structure (have become) that is the same as that in the first clause (have made)
• option E uses the simplest (and in English, often the clearest) sentence structure: subject-verb-object + COMMA + but + subject-verb-object
KEEP
The best answer is E.
NOTES
• Run-on sentences and comma splices
An independent clause contains at least a subject and a verb.
In a run-on sentence, two independent clauses are improperly joined:
→ Lions live in groups all other cats live in solitude.
In a sentence that contains a comma splice, two independent clauses are improperly joined by nothing more than a comma:
→ Lions live in groups, all other cats live in solitude
To join two independent clauses, we have a few correct options. A lone comma is not one of those options.
We can use a period:
→ Lions live in groups. All other cats live in solitude.
We can use a coordinating conjunction after the comma:
→ Lions live in groups, but all other cats live in solitude.
We can use a semicolon without a coordinating conjunction:
→ Lions live in groups; all other cats live in solitude.
The semicolon suggests that the sentences are logically connected but unlike a comma, is not accompanied by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
We can use a semicolon with a "conjunctive adverb" (common ones include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, and consequently).
→ Lions live in groups; however, all other cats live in solitude.
Note: if you use a conjunctive adverb, you cannot use two flanking commas. You must use a semicolon.
Wrong: Lions live in groups, however, all other cats live in solitude.
Especially when two independent clauses are long or convoluted or both, it can be difficult to spot comma splices.
I recommend reading examples.
Google "comma splice examples."
Then read examples.
Here is an example of a comma splice from my first hit on that search:
→ Wrong: Koala bears are not actually bears, they are marsupials.
Just read examples for 15-20 minutes. If you are struggling, read examples for 30-60 minutes.
Fairly quickly, your eye will see the "hiccup" in the comma splice pattern.
This advice goes for native speakers, too.
I doubt that most native speakers would recognize that the koala bear sentence above is a comma splice.
Corrected: Koala bears are not actually bears but rather marsupials.
• question about option B
ravigupta2912 wrote:
In this option, two verbs share one subject.
Stated differently, one subject is followed by two verbs.
This situation is called a "compound predicate."
Almost always, the second verb phrase should not be separated from the subject by a comma.
And yes, this seemingly obscure issue does arise on the GMAT.
Here is my analysis of one really difficult official question.
More analysis of a similar sentence is in the footnote.*
The post on that sentence is here.
The construction in option B consists of one subject that "does" two verbs.
We are dealing with a compound predicate.
In the sentence, a comma is incorrectly placed before the second verb.
Yes, in formal writing, ellipsis is used more frequently with verbs and verb phrases than with nouns.
One problem is the comma, not the lack of a repeated subject.
A bigger problem is the word "and."
The use of and in option B (1) does not convey contrast very well if at all, and (2) does not convey contrast nearly as well as option E does, as you point out.
I hope that analysis helps.
COMMENTS
You all are doing well with these questions in which two or three answers seem okay.
In this case, we were looking for the sentence that most clearly conveyed contrast.
These answers are pretty good.
We have a few wobbles in reasoning as well as unexplained assertions, but the effort is good.
Kudos to all.
Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1)
THE PROMPT
Quote:
• Meaning?
The sentence describes a contrast between two functions of instant messaging platforms.
On the one hand, IM platforms have sped up and simplified virtual communication.
On the other hand, IM platforms have become popular places for people to dump fake news and to behave passive aggressively.
THE OPTIONS
Quote:
• "also becoming" modifies IM platforms but does not present contrast very clearly
These IM platforms have two very different functions in this sentence: they facilitate online communication and they hamper it—often at great social and human cost.
The option is grammatical, but it does not convey contrast very effectively.
KEEP, but look for a better answer
Quote:
• "and" almost never conveys contrast.
One controversial official sentence uses "and" in the context of contrast, but that sentence is unusual, very subtle, and likely to be seen only at the 750+ level, if ever again at all.
• unless a comma is absolutely necessary to create a clear sentence, if a single subject (IM platforms) is connected to two verbs (have made, have become), a comma should not separate the subject from the second verb phrase. See Notes, below.
ELIMINATE B
Quote:
• almost always, although should be followed by a clause that contains a subject and a verb
→ Exceptions to this guideline typically come at the beginning of the sentence, describe a subject that immediately follows, and contain a tacit subject and verb:
Although [she was] besieged by enemy fire, the medic would not leave her badly injured comrade.
• although also is unidiomatic and is overkill
We know that what follows although will tell us something else about IM platforms.
We that what follows also will tell us something else about IM platforms.
ELIMINATE C
Quote:
• comma splice (a form of a run-on sentence)
→ Two independent clauses cannot be connected by only a comma. See Notes, below.
ELIMINATE D
Quote:
• I do not see any errors, and this option is better than all the others
(Eliminate A. The contrast in option E is clearer.)
→ the word but provides the appropriate contrast
→ they clearly refers to IM platforms and is followed by a verb structure (have become) that is the same as that in the first clause (have made)
• option E uses the simplest (and in English, often the clearest) sentence structure: subject-verb-object + COMMA + but + subject-verb-object
KEEP
The best answer is E.
NOTES
• Run-on sentences and comma splices
An independent clause contains at least a subject and a verb.
In a run-on sentence, two independent clauses are improperly joined:
→ Lions live in groups all other cats live in solitude.
In a sentence that contains a comma splice, two independent clauses are improperly joined by nothing more than a comma:
→ Lions live in groups, all other cats live in solitude
To join two independent clauses, we have a few correct options. A lone comma is not one of those options.
We can use a period:
→ Lions live in groups. All other cats live in solitude.
We can use a coordinating conjunction after the comma:
→ Lions live in groups, but all other cats live in solitude.
We can use a semicolon without a coordinating conjunction:
→ Lions live in groups; all other cats live in solitude.
The semicolon suggests that the sentences are logically connected but unlike a comma, is not accompanied by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
We can use a semicolon with a "conjunctive adverb" (common ones include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, and consequently).
→ Lions live in groups; however, all other cats live in solitude.
Note: if you use a conjunctive adverb, you cannot use two flanking commas. You must use a semicolon.
Wrong: Lions live in groups, however, all other cats live in solitude.
Especially when two independent clauses are long or convoluted or both, it can be difficult to spot comma splices.
I recommend reading examples.
Google "comma splice examples."
Then read examples.
Here is an example of a comma splice from my first hit on that search:
→ Wrong: Koala bears are not actually bears, they are marsupials.
Just read examples for 15-20 minutes. If you are struggling, read examples for 30-60 minutes.
Fairly quickly, your eye will see the "hiccup" in the comma splice pattern.
This advice goes for native speakers, too.
I doubt that most native speakers would recognize that the koala bear sentence above is a comma splice.
Corrected: Koala bears are not actually bears but rather marsupials.
• question about option B
ravigupta2912 wrote:
Quote:
I'm confused. Option B does not have an explicit subject after the "and" construction.
In this option, two verbs share one subject.
Stated differently, one subject is followed by two verbs.
This situation is called a "compound predicate."
Almost always, the second verb phrase should not be separated from the subject by a comma.
And yes, this seemingly obscure issue does arise on the GMAT.
Here is my analysis of one really difficult official question.
More analysis of a similar sentence is in the footnote.*
The post on that sentence is here.
Quote:
I can see how you might think that option B were ellipsis, but it isn't.
The construction in option B consists of one subject that "does" two verbs.
We are dealing with a compound predicate.
In the sentence, a comma is incorrectly placed before the second verb.
Yes, in formal writing, ellipsis is used more frequently with verbs and verb phrases than with nouns.
Quote:
In option B, the error does not lie in the fact that the subject is not repeated, though I suspect that your eye caught the comma and intuitively processed that error.
One problem is the comma, not the lack of a repeated subject.
A bigger problem is the word "and."
The use of and in option B (1) does not convey contrast very well if at all, and (2) does not convey contrast nearly as well as option E does, as you point out.
I hope that analysis helps.
COMMENTS
You all are doing well with these questions in which two or three answers seem okay.
In this case, we were looking for the sentence that most clearly conveyed contrast.
These answers are pretty good.
We have a few wobbles in reasoning as well as unexplained assertions, but the effort is good.
Kudos to all.
General Discussion
rvgmat12
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Schools: Wharton '23 Booth '23 INSEAD Jan'21 Intake
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Read the sentence and understand the meaning.
Instant-messaging platforms have made communication simple and fast when working virtually, also becoming popular dumping grounds for fake news and passive aggressive behavior.
A) also becoming popular dumping grounds
Needs to be a contrast instead of also. Incorrect
B) and have also become popular dumping grounds
Needs to be a contrast instead of and. Incorrect
C) although also becoming popular dumping grounds
Incorrect tense
D) at the same time they have also become popular dumping grounds
Needs to be a contrast. Incorrect
E) but they have also become popular dumping grounds
Correct
Posted from my mobile device
Instant-messaging platforms have made communication simple and fast when working virtually, also becoming popular dumping grounds for fake news and passive aggressive behavior.
A) also becoming popular dumping grounds
Needs to be a contrast instead of also. Incorrect
B) and have also become popular dumping grounds
Needs to be a contrast instead of and. Incorrect
C) although also becoming popular dumping grounds
Incorrect tense
D) at the same time they have also become popular dumping grounds
Needs to be a contrast. Incorrect
E) but they have also become popular dumping grounds
Correct
Posted from my mobile device
