Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate if he might

Question

Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate  if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper .

(A) if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper
(B) if he would be borrowing an extra sheet of paper
(C) if he might be able to borrow an extra sheet of paper
(D) if an extra sheet of paper might be borrowed
(E) perhaps if he could borrow an additional piece of paper

question taken from the gmatclub ultimate grammar book
test 2

I choose A but this is not the correct answer.
which answer would fit better?

Thanks.

aditya8062 · Answer

wow !! all are wrong .we can never use "if" clause like this ."if clause" should always be used with "then clause" .having said that i do not mean that "then clause" should be present per se however the implied meaning should come out that way

sondenso · Answer

The same idea, Gmat would prefer "whether" to "if"

DesiGmat · Answer

I don't think that the question is framed correctly.

We are not sure whether 'he' is used for Alexander or his classmate.

Case 1 If he is used to indicate Alexander, then the meaning gets changed.
 And according to me, out of the given options, C stands good.

Case 2 If he is used to indicate the classmate, then option B stands good.

Please correct me whether my thought process is correct.

1BlackDiamond1 · Answer

Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate  if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper. 
a) if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper
incorrect : If he might borrow is correct. Also,pronoun ambiguity - he
b) if he would be borrowing an extra sheet of paper
incorrect: if he would borrow is correct.Also,pronoun ambiguity - he
c) if he might be able to borrow an extra sheet of paper
incorrect: might be able is incorrect he is always able to borrow: ability to borrow is not in question. Also,pronoun ambiguity - he
d) if an extra sheet of paper might be borrowed
correct: this is possibly correct answer. Also, there is no pronoun in this sentence.
e) perhaps if he could borrow an additional piece of paper
correct: except Also,pronoun ambiguity - he

My answer is D.

fauji · Answer

Hi  daagh  sir,
Please help here. Can't figure out between option B and C. 
What's the point to be taken care here?
Thanks

gvij2017 · Answer

In context of this question, it is not matter of preference. We need whether not if here. 
So all options are wrong. 
I think OGs, Veritas, and MGMAT are top ranked and reliable study material.

fauji · Answer

Hi Experts! Please help here. Can't figure out between option B and C.
What's the point to be taken care here? Thanks!

abhaygill · Answer

In options A, B, the phrases 'might be borrowing' and 'would be borrowing' suggest that the classmate is continuously performing the action of borrowing extra sheet of papers for everybody in the class, and now Alexander expects that the classmate would again borrow a paper for someone who might need it, in this case for Alexander.
This is not the meaning the sentence wants to convey.
The meaning that the sentence is trying to convey is that 'is there is a possibility that the classmate could borrow a paper for Alexander, who is asking for it'.
Narrowing down to C and E, for conveying the right message.
E can be eliminated because it uses 'perhaps' and 'if' together, causing redundancy. As both  if  and  perhaps  mean uncertainty/possibility. 
C is the answer.

NarayanaGupta007 · Answer

+ing means on going action and asked means past tense so reject A & B ..
E uses perhaps with if so reject

C uses active voice and D uses passive so C is the answere
C & D both are correct but C is more concise

NarayanaGupta007 · Answer

+ing means on going action and asked means past tense so reject A & B ..
E uses perhaps with if so reject

C uses active voice and D uses passive so C is the answere
C & D both are correct but C is more concise

walterwhite756 · Answer

I am not able to eliminate either of B and C for this question. Kindly help me as how to eliminate B?

khushboomohan · Answer

Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate  if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper .

(A) if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper
(B) if he would be borrowing an extra sheet of paper
(C) if he might be able to borrow an extra sheet of paper
(D) if an extra sheet of paper might be borrowed
(E) perhaps if he could borrow an additional piece of paper

Here, the meaning is really important. The sentence seems to be trying to ask whether Alexander might be able to borrow an extra sheet. This sounds a lot more logical than Alexander asking if the classmate might be borrowing from some third party. The word "Borrow" itself is used when it is happening between two people hence, the former makes no people. This is also on grounds of ambiguity regarding the classmate.

By this logic,  A & B are eliminated.

D  is in passive voice so, it'll be eliminated as there are 2 seemingly better answer choices in active voice.

Between C & E,  C makes more sense for 2 reasons:

1. Perhaps seems redundant here.
2. Might talks about the willingness and could/can talk about the ability to do something. Might is a better fit with the question stem.

Hence, C is the answer.

Tea12 · Answer

Hello folks,
Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate  if he might be borrowing an extra sheet of paper .

(C) if he might be able to borrow an extra sheet of paper

Doesn't "might" & "be able" both denotes ability, that is creating redundancy in option C ?

khushboomohan · Answer

Might refers to possibility not exactly ability.

Think of this statement: "Would you be able to pass the cup of coffee?"

Similar to the previous statement, "Would" implies possibility and not ability.

Hence, there is no redundancy in this construct.

Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate if he might

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Just before the test began, Alexander asked his classmate if he might

Prep Toolkit

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