@Chris: You have actually reversed the reasons for C and D: It is C that holds good for succinctness: just an oversight, I suppose.


D is not bad just because of wordiness alone. There are other solid reasons for rejecting it , such as,

1. It is stylistically wrong because of using both -though and but –in the same sentence, which mean the same thing. It is the error of redundancy.
2. The first part (excluding the introductory phrase) and the second part, - both ICs- are just joined by a comma. So it is a run –on.
3. It errs on modification; the landlocked Caspian should be immediately placed after the comma.
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Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the landlocked Caspian is called a sea, but it is actually the largest lake on Earth, as it covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Grammatical Construction

• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.
• in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.
• The introduction of present participle ("verb+ing"- “covering” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.

A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to "Earth" with "which covers...size", illogically implying that the Earth covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size; the intended meaning is that the Caspian covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size; please remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.

B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to "Earth" with "which covers...size", illogically implying that the Earth covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size; the intended meaning is that the Caspian covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size; please remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.

C: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses "Though called a sea" to modify "the landlocked Caspian", conveying the intended meaning - that the landlocked Caspian is called a sea, but it is actually a lake, the largest lake on Earth. Further, Option C uses the phrase "covering...in size"; the use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "covering" in this sentence)" construction avoids the modifier error in Options A and B and conveys the intended meaning - that the landlocked Caspian is called a sea, but it is actually the largest lake on Earth, as it covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size; remember, the introduction of present participle ("verb+ing"- “covering” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Additionally, Option C correctly uses commas to join the dependent clauses "Though called a sea" and "covering...in size" to the independent clause "the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth".

D: This answer choice incorrectly uses conjunction ("but" in this case) to join the dependent clause "Though called a sea" to the independent clause "it actually is the largest lake on Earth"; please remember, commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one. Moreover, Option D uses a comma to join the independent clauses "it actually is the largest lake on Earth" and "the landlocked Caspian covers...in size"; remember, a comma cannot join two independent clauses; such usage leads to the error of comma splice; to correct this error, the comma must be replaced with semicolon or comma followed by a conjunction such as "and", "but" etc.

E: This answer choice unnecessarily uses the word "being", leading to awkwardness and redundancy; remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context. Further, Option E incorrectly uses "Despite being called a sea" to modify "the largest lake on Earth", incorrectly implying that the largest lake on Earth is called a sea, but it is the landlocked Caspian; the intended meaning is that the landlocked Caspian is called a sea, but it is actually a lake, the largest lake on Earth; please remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Comma + Present Participles for Cause-Effect Relationships" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~3 minutes):



To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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Hi Folks, I found the issue with option D and why it is not correct.

D. Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
-> As you can see, "it" is actually referring and modifying "sea", not "landlocked Caspian" here because both (it & sea) are in the same clause.

Check the below example -
Although many new restaurants have recently been opened across the country and its sales increased dramatically, the restaurant company’s sales at restaurants open for more than a year have declined.
->This sentence is incorrect because of modifier issue. "its" is modifying "many new restaurants".
Link - although-the-restaurant-company-has-recently-added-many-new-83985.html

Questions, Please let me know. Cheers!
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It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.
A. It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
B. Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
C. Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
D. Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
E. Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering


hey, thanks for your explanation.
I don't quite understand the reason to eliminate option B.
"X preposition Y, which .." - 'which' could refer to either of X or Y depending on which one of the two it logically and grammatically connects to.
Please help me understand why else should we strike out option B?

One more question around option C:
"Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, covering ..." -> Could ", covering ..." be modifying the lake or Earth just as ", which .." does?
OR, does ", covering .." only modify the subject?
Thank you.

Divine

The logic of the sentence is :
even though caspian sea is called a sea, it is actually the largest landlocked lake on earth that bla bla bla.

The sentence needs a contrast, but the answer choice A doesn't shows it.

B uses a "contrast" word but has a modifier issue. The "although" clause expects a "landlocked caspian" just after a comma but instead it gets "actually".

C correctly uses "though", implying to show contrast.

The correct way "though" is used is:
Though [clause], [Independent clause].
D incorrectly uses without using a comma. Moreover it also uses SECOND CONTRAST word "BUT" which doesn't adds to the meaning.

E is wrong in that it changes the sequence of the sentence.
It should be" Despite being called a sea, the landlocked caspian is actually the largest lake on earth".

C sounds fine.
+1C
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GMAT prefers that the modifier touches the noun modified. However, This is not alway possible and

noun+modifer 1+modifier 2

is correct, though not prefered. (remember between modifier 2 and the noun, there must be another modifier of that noun. If the phrase inserted is not the noun modifier, the pattern is wrong)

because the pattern is correct but not prefered, we should choose C not A or B.

this is why in some sc problem, noun modifying the far noun is considered incorrect and in other sc problems, noun modifying the far noun appears in the official answers.

similarly, the gmat prefers that the object touches the verb but the objects far from its verb is acceptable. in some sc problem, the object far from verb is considered an error while in other sc problems, the object far the verb appear in the official answers.

I call this PREFERENCE, NOT GRAMMAR RULE.

Hi,
I request the members to review below analysis and share their inputs.I appreciate the support on this.
Regards.

Question:
It is called a sea, but
the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth,
which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

I read the OG explanation for this but it's not very clear to me.

Q1) Is there any ambiguity in the usage of which in option A?
Here which link/modify Earth or the largest lake on Earth to compare it against "North America's Lake Superior".
IMO the latter, largest lake on Earth (which is Caspian), wld be the right choice as saying "Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's" wld be illogical.So usage of which is grammatically correct here without any ambiguity.

Now, if we look the argument we would see that it says "Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior."
So I believe an elegant/clean construction would be the one where "Caspian" is compared directly with NA's lake instead of the largest lake on earth.
1)the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth and covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.
OR,
2)the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

Q2)Also what's wrong with option B apart from which issue similar to A. Is usage of actually correct here?

Hi JarvisaR,

Thanks for posting your doubt here.

I completely agree with you that "which" in Choice A and B "logically" CAN ONLY refer to "the largest lake on Earth" and not just "Earth". However, the problem that we face in these choices is that both these entities "the largest lake" and "Earth" are singular noun entities and agree in number with the singular verb "covers". hence, usage of "which" leaves that little room for grammatical ambiguity as to what does "which" refer to.

Choice C completely does away with that little possible grammatical ambiguity by using "comma + verb-ing modifier covering". Now, there is no doubt that "covering" refers to Caspian.

Now regarding the usage of "actually" in choice B, is it incorrect? IMHO, it is not, but it is certainly not needed in the sentence.

hope this helps.
Thanks.
SJ
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In this OE, the OG actually goes to a great extent in mentioning that because Earth immediately precedes which, the sentence appears to say, illogically, that Earth covers more than four times the surface area of Lake Superior.

There are many other sentences in OG, that confirm GMAT's position in this regard:

#13, option E: The relative clause beginning with which apparently (but nonsensically) describes the closest nouns, mud or clay, rather than bricks

#105, option D: Versions of the sentence that use the relative pronoun which indicate that the telephone has become a mass medium.

p.s. Our book SC Nirvana discusses the relative pronoun which, their application and examples in significant detail. If you can PM you email, I can send you the corresponding section.
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It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

Meaning : Though caspian is called a sea but it is largest lake on earth. Why it is called largest lake on earth because it covers more than four time XX
So we need the cause and effect relationship.

A. It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
Two issues
1) What does which modify?
which can modify Earth or with exception Lake. In fact which should modify Caspian sea.
2) There is no cause and effect relationship

B. Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
Same issue as option A)

C. Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering ->
Here verb+ing modifier is modifying the previous clause describing why Caspian is largest lake on Earth - Correct

D. Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
Though there is no problem grammatically but there is no cause and effect describing why it is called the largest Sea.

E. Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering
The usage of verb+ing modifier is wrong and it is modifying why largest lake is Caspian. It should be other way around.
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Hi brightandamen, are you referring to option C?

In option C, if covers had been used, at the very least there should have been an and before covers. So, the structure of C in that case would have been:

the landlocked Caspian is.... and covers...

Parallelism is between two verbs: is and covers. While this would have been a grammatically correct sentence, it would have suggested that landlocked Caspian has two distinct properties (1. landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth. 2. landlocked Caspian covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size).

However, the ideal meaning is represented by option C. The fact that landlocked Caspian covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, is actually a description/manifestation of the fact that the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth.

In such cases, present participles (covering....) are an ideal usage.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Present participles, their application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section
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It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

A. It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers - "which" incorrectly refers to "Earth"
B. Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers - "which" incorrectly refers to "Earth" + sounds a mess
C. Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering - CORRECT, importantly "covering" is verb+ing that modifies the full clause preceding it + "landlocked caspian" placed correct after "called a sea"
D. Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers - "though" and "but" cannot be used together as they mean the same & therefore redundancy + "it" is referring to sea based on where it is placed, however "it" should refer to "the landlocked Caspian" + "landlocked caspian" should be placed right after "called a sea" as in Option C + 2 independent clauses separated by a comma is of course incorrect (lot going wrong here but a good learning)
E. Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering - "landlocked caspian" should be after "called a sea" + sounds very awkward & "being" almost always is in the wrong sentence
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can someone explain why "which" cannot modify "landlocked caspian"

Hello santro789,

I will be glad to help you out with this one.

I analyze the original sentence in two ways:

1. We can rewrite the sentence as on Earth, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake. Hence, the modifier on Earth is an action modifier and modifies the verb is. It does not modify the noun the landlocked Caspian.

Hence, which cannot jump over this modifier to refer to the slightly far-away noun the landlocked Caspian.



2. The noun modifier which is followed by the singular verb covers that agrees in number with both the landlocked Caspian and on Earth. Hence, there is a slight scope of confusion whether which refers to singular Earth and the landlocked Caspian.



Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

A. It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
B. Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
C. Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
D. Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
E. Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering

Hello I have a question about the use of though
As I learned before, we use Though/ although/ even though with a clause (Subject + Verb).
1 – If I see though/even though/although, MUST they be followed by a Subject, a Verb, or a Subject and a verb (Both)?
2- In case we need both a Subject and a Verb. How is the form of the verb that you consider a clause? The verb should be conjugated? Not in the Ving or V3(participle)?
If this is the case that though/even though/although MUST be followed by a subject and a verb, and this verb must be conjugated (unconjugated forms such as participle or Ving are wrong), then, can anyone explain me why “Though called a sea” is correct? Because for me called is a participle form (V3) and no subject. I believe that if I had seen “although called a sea” probably it would have been incorrect and someone would have said that is missing the subject and a conjugated verb. So what is the rule for Though? As the answer choice C is correct, where can I find this rule for “though”?

Thank you

Hi jdrury, you're correct. Though is a subordinating conjunction and marks the start of a Dependent clause.

Option C however, represents a case that many people refer to as verbless clause. Basically the verb is implied.

So, C actually implies: Though (the landlocked Caspian is) called a sea,....

where is is the verb.
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Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and figure out the easiest way to get to the right answer! Before we dive in, here is the original question with any major differences between the options highlighted in orange:

It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering

After a quick glance over the options, we see that there are a few places where we can focus our attention:

1. The modifier in the beginning: It is / Although / Though / Despite
2. Placement of the word "actually"
3. The modifier at the end: which covers / covering / covers

Since we're dealing with modifiers, let's do a quick check to make sure all the modifiers are placed directly before or after the word(s) they're referring to. This is one of the most common modifier errors on the GMAT, so it's a good place to start:

(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
This is INCORRECT because the modifier "which covers more than four times..." is placed next to "Earth," which is NOT what it's supposed to modify! This means we have a misplaced modifier, which is a big no-no on the GMAT!

(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
Again, this is INCORRECT because it suggests that the modifier should be tied to Earth, rather than the Caspian, which it should be referring to.

(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
This is OKAY because when you begin a modifier with an -ing word, it's now modifying the entire phrase, rather than just the subject closest to it.

(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
This is INCORRECT because we have a misplaced modifier and some terribly awkward wording. The modifier "but it actually is the largest lake on Earth" seems to be in the wrong place - it would make more sense to put it directly after "the landlocked Caspian" to make it clear that's what it's referring to. By removing the comma before "but," it also sounds like a run-on sentence, rather than a modifier.

(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering
This is OKAY because when you begin a modifier with an -ing word, it's now modifying the entire phrase, rather than just the subject closest to it.

We can eliminate options A, B, and D because they have problems with misplaced, confusing, and poorly written modifiers.

Now that we only have to focus on options C and E, let's focus on any overly wordy or confusing phrasing:

(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
This is CORRECT! Starting with "Though" is clear and concise, and it makes a bit more sense to place the Caspian first in the next clause because it creates a clearer contrast to " called a sea."

(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering
This is INCORRECT for a couple reasons. First, the GMAT prefers writers avoid the "being + verb" combination whenever possible. It's overly wordy, and there is almost always a better way to phrase it. Second, it makes more sense to put the Caspian first in the next phrase. The modifier in the beginning is "Despite being called a sea," and whatever comes next should be what is called a sea - the Caspian.

There you have it - option C is our best choice!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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Choice C.
Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

To me here "the landlocked Caspian" is followed after its modifier is // to "North America's Lake Superior"

Rest of the answer choices have quite major gramatical error to eliminate them, but if we take into consideration the whole sentence, this //ism is also significant.

What do you think of this? or I'm diving too deep and out of subject?
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Dear team,
I agree with the point that option c is best suitable option.
But I hav. Ea doubt regarding the use of though. "Though" is used with structure "though + subject + verb". And here "Though called a sea", subject+verb structure is missing. Kindly suggest.
Also, I have read the structure details of "though" modifier in Ultimate GRammar book.
bb generis GMATNinja
Thanks in advance

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