Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 20:08 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 20:08
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
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 
605-655 Level|   Modifiers|                     
User avatar
lakshya14
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jan 2019
Last visit: 27 Jul 2022
Posts: 360
Own Kudos:
45
Given Kudos: 529
Posts: 360
Kudos: 45
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 24 Aug 2020, 06:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
egmat
kuttingchai

agreed that it refers to substance, but then what is wrong with C or D, is it because it has 2 verbs ???


Hi there,

Let us split choice C into clauses:

A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.
• A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission,
o which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
• (Cont. of Cl. 1) is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

“developed” is not a verb here. It’s a verb-ed modifier. The only verb that clause 1 has is “is finding”. (Click on the following link to learn how to distinguish between a past tense verb and verb-ed modifier: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ed-forms-verb ... l#p1100855)

In choice C, “called proton-induced x-ray emission” has been separated from the entity it should modify – “a technique”. As a result, relative pronoun “which” is now only modifying the preceding noun “proton-induced x-ray emission”. It is not modifying “a technique” anymore. This leads to the modification error in Choice C.

Same is the case with Choice D as well.

Now let’s take a look at the correct Choice A:
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

In this sentence, the opening modifier “developed” is correctly modifying the subject of the preceding clause “a technique”. Now another modifier “called…” is placed just after “a technique”. So here the sentence is really saying:
a technique = proton-induced X-ray emission
“a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission” makes one big noun phrase here and hence, “which” correctly modifies this entire noun phrase, including “a technique”.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
Show more


Why can't we say that "proton-induced x ray" be modified by "developed"?
User avatar
egmat
User avatar
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,108
Own Kudos:
32,884
 [1]
Given Kudos: 700
GMAT Date: 08-19-2020
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 5,108
Kudos: 32,884
 [1]
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 24 Aug 2020, 08:27
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lakshya14
egmat


Hi there,

Let us split choice C into clauses:

A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.
• A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission,
o which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
• (Cont. of Cl. 1) is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

“developed” is not a verb here. It’s a verb-ed modifier. The only verb that clause 1 has is “is finding”. (Click on the following link to learn how to distinguish between a past tense verb and verb-ed modifier: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ed-forms-verb ... l#p1100855)

In choice C, “called proton-induced x-ray emission” has been separated from the entity it should modify – “a technique”. As a result, relative pronoun “which” is now only modifying the preceding noun “proton-induced x-ray emission”. It is not modifying “a technique” anymore. This leads to the modification error in Choice C.

Same is the case with Choice D as well.

Now let’s take a look at the correct Choice A:
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

In this sentence, the opening modifier “developed” is correctly modifying the subject of the preceding clause “a technique”. Now another modifier “called…” is placed just after “a technique”. So here the sentence is really saying:
a technique = proton-induced X-ray emission
“a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission” makes one big noun phrase here and hence, “which” correctly modifies this entire noun phrase, including “a technique”.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha


Why can't we say that "proton-induced x ray" be modified by "developed"?
Show more


Hello lakshya14,

Thank you for the query. :-)

There is a rule associated with the usage of the verb-ed modifier. The verb-ed modifier modifies the preceding noun. What precedes developed in Choice C is A technique. So, grammatically developed modifies this noun. This modification is logical also. It is the placement of the phrase called proton-induced x-ray emission that leads to an error. This modifier must appear right after A technique because this modifier is meant to modify this noun entity - a technique that is called XYZ. But because it is placed so far-away from this noun entity, the choice stands incorrect.


Hope this helps. :-)
Thanks.
Shraddha
avatar
Maverick94
avatar
Joined: 20 Aug 2019
Last visit: 02 Feb 2023
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 9
Posts: 6
Kudos: 1
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 21 Mar 2021, 00:39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
egmat
kuttingchai

agreed that it refers to substance, but then what is wrong with C or D, is it because it has 2 verbs ???


Hi there,

Let us split choice C into clauses:

A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.
• A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission,
o which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
• (Cont. of Cl. 1) is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

“developed” is not a verb here. It’s a verb-ed modifier. The only verb that clause 1 has is “is finding”. (Click on the following link to learn how to distinguish between a past tense verb and verb-ed modifier: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ed-forms-verb ... l#p1100855)

In choice C, “called proton-induced x-ray emission” has been separated from the entity it should modify – “a technique”. As a result, relative pronoun “which” is now only modifying the preceding noun “proton-induced x-ray emission”. It is not modifying “a technique” anymore. This leads to the modification error in Choice C.

Same is the case with Choice D as well.

Now let’s take a look at the correct Choice A:
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

In this sentence, the opening modifier “developed” is correctly modifying the subject of the preceding clause “a technique”. Now another modifier “called…” is placed just after “a technique”. So here the sentence is really saying:
a technique = proton-induced X-ray emission
“a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission” makes one big noun phrase here and hence, “which” correctly modifies this entire noun phrase, including “a technique”.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
Show more


But isint "proton-induced x-ray emission" is the technique itself? so the question is why cant "which" modify "proton-induced x-ray emission" please let me know where is the flaw in my understanding?
User avatar
AjiteshArun
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 15 Jul 2015
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,949
Own Kudos:
5,080
 [2]
Given Kudos: 732
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Posts: 5,949
Kudos: 5,080
 [2]
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 21 Mar 2021, 20:37
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Maverick94
But isint "proton-induced x-ray emission" is the technique itself? so the question is why cant "which" modify "proton-induced x-ray emission" please let me know where is the flaw in my understanding?
Show more
Hi Maverick94,

I've always read option C as "X, modifier for X, modifier for X", but apparently even the official explanation says that the which in C refers only to emission. For what it's worth, I think you're right: if the which refers to something in the phrase called proton-induced x-ray emission, it refers to the entire noun phrase "proton-induced x-ray emission".

I recommend that you (a) ignore the bit about which referring only to emission and (b) take C out for the greater ambiguity introduced by called proton-induced x-ray emission (does it refer to a technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants or to air pollutants?).
User avatar
Arthurito
User avatar
Joined: 04 Jan 2022
Last visit: 16 Nov 2022
Posts: 41
Own Kudos:
11
Given Kudos: 42
Posts: 41
Kudos: 11
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 24 Mar 2022, 15:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
(A) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,

(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton induced x-ray emission

(C) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,

(D) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it,

(E) A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-induced x-ray emission,

Can't we say :

B : having is modifying the preceding noun and it makes no sense to have the air polluants having the ability to do somehing

C : it has no clear referents : is it the substance or the chemical (since what follow chemical is only a modifier ? )

D : same as C

E : "called" modify the closest noun, so it is "the substance" and it makes no sense

So A is winner

GMATNinja is my reasoning good or was it luck ? congrats for the marathon again btw
avatar
nayas96
avatar
Joined: 26 Jan 2021
Last visit: 24 Apr 2022
Posts: 45
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 18
Posts: 45
Kudos: 12
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 27 Mar 2022, 09:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
egmat
kuttingchai

agreed that it refers to substance, but then what is wrong with C or D, is it because it has 2 verbs ???



Hi there,

Let us split choice C into clauses:

A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.
• A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission,
o which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
• (Cont. of Cl. 1) is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

“developed” is not a verb here. It’s a verb-ed modifier. The only verb that clause 1 has is “is finding”. (Click on the following link to learn how to distinguish between a past tense verb and verb-ed modifier: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ed-forms-verb ... l#p1100855)

In choice C, “called proton-induced x-ray emission” has been separated from the entity it should modify – “a technique”. As a result, relative pronoun “which” is now only modifying the preceding noun “proton-induced x-ray emission”. It is not modifying “a technique” anymore. This leads to the modification error in Choice C.

Same is the case with Choice D as well.

Now let’s take a look at the correct Choice A:
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

In this sentence, the opening modifier “developed” is correctly modifying the subject of the preceding clause “a technique”. Now another modifier “called…” is placed just after “a technique”. So here the sentence is really saying:
a technique = proton-induced X-ray emission
“a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission” makes one big noun phrase here and hence, “which” correctly modifies this entire noun phrase, including “a technique”.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
Show more

Although, it is very clear that option (C) is a wrong option, in option (A) the modifier Öriginally developed for detecting air pollutants" modifies "Proton-induced X-ray emissions" and looking at the orginal sentence, the modifier seems to be modifying the "A technique".
This was actually my grounds for rejecting option (A).

Kindly please clarify the above issue egmat
User avatar
shivam10
User avatar
Joined: 09 May 2021
Last visit: 01 Mar 2024
Posts: 33
Own Kudos:
13
Given Kudos: 1,200
Location: India
Schools: Darden '25 (WL) Tuck '25 (D) Booth '25 (D) Fuqua '25 (D) Stern '25 (D) Wharton '25 (D) Kellogg '25 (D)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
Schools: Darden '25 (WL) Tuck '25 (D) Booth '25 (D) Fuqua '25 (D) Stern '25 (D) Wharton '25 (D) Kellogg '25 (D)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
Posts: 33
Kudos: 13
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 27 Mar 2022, 10:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.
Show more



Thought process: Question is on modifiers, there are two modifiers I can notice “Originally.. pollutants” and “which..it”

Quote:
(A) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
Show more

‘It’ refers to substance, seems ok, as per (A), the technique is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology (skipping the inbetween modifier), which again seems ok

Quote:
(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton induced x-ray emission
Show more

,verb+ing should modify the preceding clause by either presenting additional information or presenting result, which it is not doing

Quote:
(C) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
Show more

‘It’ refers to substance, seems ok, However, this conveys that proton-induced x-ray emission is finding uses in medicine, archeology, and criminology which is nonsensical because it should be the technique that is finding uses

Quote:
(D) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it,
Show more

‘Without destroying it’ should be parallel (because of the presence of parallel marker ‘and’) appear parallel to ‘in almost any substance quickly’, however, ‘it’ should refer to substance and now to ‘chemical elements’

Quote:
(E) A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-induced x-ray emission,
Show more

Called…emission: it is left hanging, it’s a clause, does not connect with the subject
The subject (proton-induced x-ray emission) has become a subordinate clause
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 7,445
Own Kudos:
69,779
Given Kudos: 2,060
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 Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,445
Kudos: 69,779
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 05 Apr 2022, 10:30
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Arthurito
(A) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,

(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton induced x-ray emission

(C) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,

(D) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it,

(E) A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-induced x-ray emission,

Can't we say :

B : having is modifying the preceding noun and it makes no sense to have the air polluants having the ability to do somehing

C : it has no clear referents : is it the substance or the chemical (since what follow chemical is only a modifier ? )

D : same as C

E : "called" modify the closest noun, so it is "the substance" and it makes no sense

So A is winner

GMATNinja is my reasoning good or was it luck ? congrats for the marathon again btw
Show more
I wouldn't be so quick to knock the pronoun in (C). After all, we see the same thing in the correct choice, (A)!

But compare the placement of "called proton-induced x-ray emission" in (A) and (C). In (A), this part comes right after the noun that it logically modifies ("a technique"). In (C), "called..." comes right after "air pollutants." It makes a lot more sense to apply the "called..." part to "technique," and the reader has to work a lot harder to figure that out in (C).

Also, at first glance, "called..." seems to be the second element of a parallel list: "A technique originally (1) developed for detecting air pollutants, (2) called proton-induced x-ray emission..." Again, the reader can figure out the logical meaning, but it takes some extra effort.

Does (C) have any definite errors? Maybe not, but the logical meaning is more clear in (A), making it a better option. And (D) is just an even-worse version of (C).

I'd also add that the parallelism is a bit hard to follow in (E). Repeating a "that" before "has the ability" would probably make it easier to tie both items back to the subject ("a technique"). The parallelism certainly isn't WRONG, exactly -- it's just harder to follow than the modifiers in (A).

In general you seem to be noticing the right things, so nice work!
avatar
rajogmat
avatar
Joined: 18 Jan 2022
Last visit: 28 Apr 2022
Posts: 8
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Posts: 8
Kudos: 0
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 05 Apr 2022, 19:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

(A) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, - The technique is being modified here which should be the case.

(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton induced x-ray emission - it is appearing air pollutants have the ability to analyze chemical elements - may not be right

(C) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, - This is tricky , I also made a mistake , but if you look carefully is it the technique or the air pollutants that 'called' is referring to , This makes A better than C

(D) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it, - similar to C

(E) A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-induced x-ray emission, - Looks like a hot-mess, substance called as proton x-ray or technique and naming of technique are placed at two poles and finally WORDY as well , is that parallelism required ?
avatar
keepmovingfw27
avatar
Joined: 21 Nov 2020
Last visit: 05 Jan 2023
Posts: 21
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 332
Posts: 21
Kudos: 7
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 15 Jul 2022, 20:30
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
[quote="tejal777"]Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.


(A) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
=> Correct
(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton induced x-ray emission
=> Wrong, modifier "Originally developed for detecting air pollutants" needs to touch the N

(C) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
=> "which" incorrectly modify "proton-induced x-ray emission"

(D) A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced x-ray emission, which has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it,
=> Wrong. "which" incorrectly modify "proton-induced x-ray emission"

(E) A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-induced x-ray emission,
User avatar
Rickooreo
User avatar
Joined: 24 Dec 2021
Last visit: 15 Feb 2023
Posts: 302
Own Kudos:
30
Given Kudos: 240
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, General Management
Schools: ISB '24 Moore '25
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GPA: 3.95
WE:Real Estate (Consulting)
Schools: ISB '24 Moore '25
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
Posts: 302
Kudos: 30
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 30 Sep 2022, 22:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
can we say, having in option B, is modifying pollutants and hence incorrect?
User avatar
DmitryFarber
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 22 Mar 2011
Last visit: 08 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,020
Own Kudos:
8,563
 [2]
Given Kudos: 57
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 745 Q86 V90 DI85
Posts: 3,020
Kudos: 8,563
 [2]
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 30 Sep 2022, 23:54
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Rickooreo

Many people are reading B just that way--interpreting "having" as incorrectly modifying pollutants. Since the modifiers are poorly placed in B, that's an understandable interpretation. That's exactly the problem we tend to get when we stack modifiers together--we don't always know what the modifiers apply to!

However, typically "comma + -ing" modifiers are adverbial and so modify actions or clauses, not nouns, and that's how I would read this modifier. It's modifying the clause that follows. In one sense, that's fine--the subject of the clause is "a technique," and it is the technique that can analyze elements. The adverbial aspect simply means that this modifier is explaining how/why the action happens. The problem is that a technique can't have an ability. It can do something, but we don't describe abstract nouns as having abilities or capabilities.
User avatar
Rickooreo
User avatar
Joined: 24 Dec 2021
Last visit: 15 Feb 2023
Posts: 302
Own Kudos:
30
Given Kudos: 240
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, General Management
Schools: ISB '24 Moore '25
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GPA: 3.95
WE:Real Estate (Consulting)
Schools: ISB '24 Moore '25
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
Posts: 302
Kudos: 30
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 01 Oct 2022, 00:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
DmitryFarber
Rickooreo

Many people are reading B just that way--interpreting "having" as incorrectly modifying pollutants. Since the modifiers are poorly placed in B, that's an understandable interpretation. That's exactly the problem we tend to get when we stack modifiers together--we don't always know what the modifiers apply to!

However, typically "comma + -ing" modifiers are adverbial and so modify actions or clauses, not nouns, and that's how I would read this modifier. It's modifying the clause that follows. In one sense, that's fine--the subject of the clause is "a technique," and it is the technique that can analyze elements. The adverbial aspect simply means that this modifier is explaining how/why the action happens. The problem is that a technique can't have an ability. It can do something, but we don't describe abstract nouns as having abilities or capabilities.
Show more

DmitryFarber, thankyou for the revert, I have noticed multiple concepts on the usage of ing modifier and none of them align with each other.

As adjectival modifier:

1. Ing modifier used as an adjectival modifies the subject of the preceding clause
2. Ing modifier used as an adjectival modifies the immediately preceding noun/noun clause

As adverbial modifier :
1. Ing modifier modifies the preceeding clause (the only usage as per egmat)

Question / doubt :

1. Which is the correct concept between the two usage of ing modifier as adjectival mentioned above
2. How to understand whether the modifier used in the sentence is adjectival or adverbial, it can be that the original intent was to use it as adverbial modifier but since this is SC, the wrong usage as adjectival modifier is mentioned in the sentence

I request other expert to present their views as well egmat KarishmaB GMATNinja AndrewN mikemcgarry
User avatar
himanshu0123
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2016
Last visit: 20 Mar 2023
Posts: 190
Own Kudos:
5
Given Kudos: 101
Posts: 190
Kudos: 5
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 12 Oct 2022, 02:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
in B]
we have two modifiers side by side separated by a comma as shown below, is there a problem in there? in past I have seen such cases. What is the concrete rule on such construction


(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it
User avatar
EducationAisle
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,891
Own Kudos:
3,579
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,891
Kudos: 3,579
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 13 Oct 2022, 00:32
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
himanshu0123
in B]
we have two modifiers side by side separated by a comma as shown below, is there a problem in there? in past I have seen such cases. What is the concrete rule on such construction

(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it
Show more
I would say that this is indeed not an idea construct: two back to back consecutive participial phrases, modifying the same entity.

Would be also interesting to see if someone can present an official example that violates this.
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 7,445
Own Kudos:
69,779
Given Kudos: 2,060
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 Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,445
Kudos: 69,779
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 07 Nov 2022, 17:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
himanshu0123
in B]
we have two modifiers side by side separated by a comma as shown below, is there a problem in there? in past I have seen such cases. What is the concrete rule on such construction


(B) Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it
Show more
Unfortunately there aren't many concrete rules that you can apply on the GMAT, and it's no different with this sort of thing.

Take a look at (A) and (B) side-by-side. At first glance, the "having the ability" part in (B) seems to modify air pollutants (after all, if we wanted "having the ability" to be parallel with "originally developed," why not use an "and" instead of a comma before "having"?), and that obviously doesn't make much sense.

Is (B) wrong because it violates some concrete rule? Nope. It's just that (A) is MUCH easier to follow, making it the superior option in this case.

I hope that helps!
User avatar
vaibhavag64
User avatar
Joined: 28 Nov 2021
Last visit: 14 Sep 2025
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
5
Given Kudos: 12
Schools: ISB '27 (WA)
Schools: ISB '27 (WA)
Posts: 4
Kudos: 5
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 11 Mar 2023, 02:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
In the option A, the main core subject of the sentence "a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission" is placed in between 2 commas, isn't it wrong?
User avatar
AjiteshArun
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 15 Jul 2015
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,949
Own Kudos:
5,080
Given Kudos: 732
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Posts: 5,949
Kudos: 5,080
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 12 Mar 2023, 00:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
vaibhavag64
In the option A, the main core subject of the sentence "a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission" is placed in between 2 commas, isn't it wrong?
Show more
Hi vaibhavag64,

Those commas aren't for the subject. The first comma is for the first big modifier, and the second and third commas are for the second big modifier. The first modifier doesn't have a pair of commas because there's no element before it.

{Originally developed for detecting air pollutants,} a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission{, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,} is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.
User avatar
ExpertsGlobal5
User avatar
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,193
Own Kudos:
4,759
Given Kudos: 43
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: 5,193
Kudos: 4,759
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 12 Mar 2023, 06:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
vaibhavag64
In the option A, the main core subject of the sentence "a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission" is placed in between 2 commas, isn't it wrong?
Show more

Hello vaibhavag64,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, it is only incorrect to place important information between commas, if the information is in the form of a dependent clause; in this case, the structure of the sentence is such that the main clause is "a technique called proton-induced x-ray emission...s finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology."; the two commas are offsetting modifying phrases that act upon the subject "a technique".

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
User avatar
Maria240895chile
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2021
Last visit: 07 Jun 2023
Posts: 115
Own Kudos:
59
Given Kudos: 115
Posts: 115
Kudos: 59
Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called 12 Apr 2023, 08:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
when having 2 modifying phrases (in this question for "technique"), we have 2 option to make it clearer, place the subject in between or add one modifying clause to the sentence eliminating commas. Also remember that a modifier clause, defining a subject must be as close to the subject as possible

C, D and E are eliminated because the modifier clause starting with ", called" is too far from technique.

B is eliminated becase we have 2 modifying clauses in a row. A has modifying phrase-subject-modifying phrase structure, making it clearer over B

IMO A
   1   2   3 
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7445 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
234 posts
miag
188 posts