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Director
Joined: 03 Aug 2012
Posts: 587
Given Kudos: 322
Concentration: General Management, General Management
GMAT 1: 630 Q47 V29
GMAT 2: 680 Q50 V32
GPA: 3.7
WE:Information Technology (Investment Banking)
MGMAT SC:Pronoun Ambiguity and Pronoun Case
[#permalink]
25 Aug 2013, 03:55
25 Aug 2013, 03:55
1
Bookmarks
Pronoun CASE:
RULE:In particular, a pronoun in subject position in one clause may often be presumed to refer to the subject of a parallel
clause, even if that subject is relatively far away.
As you can see in RED, can we say that this rule is general or NOT?
Example:
Supernovas destroy their immediate environments in vast explosions,
BUT by synthesizing heavy chemical elements, THEY provide the universe
with the possibility of biochemistry-based life as we know it.
Explanation:Supernovas is the subject of the first clause. The they is also in subject position in the second
clause, which is parallel to the first clause. Even though there are at least two closer possible
antecedents (environments and explosions), we know that they clearly refers to supernovas.
Pronoun Ambiguity:
Researchers claim to have developed new "nano-papers" incorporating tiny
cellulose fibers, which THEY allege give THEM the strength of cast iron.
When we talk about pronoun ambiguity , I know this is not the sole criterion of eliminating a choice.
However, I need clarity on this.
When we so logical antecedent , we mean that what the author wants the reader to logically understand.
Here in the above example
(1). nano-papers cannot allege as they are not living beings.So, THEY should logically refer back to Researchers.
(2). THEM correctly refer backs to nano-papers as Researchers are not eating nano-papers in their diet so that it
would give researchers strength.
Please advise on the above.
Please clarify whether I my reasoning is correct when we apply the PRONOUN CASE Rule to this question.
THEY can refer back to "Researchers" , subject position of the previous clause.
THEM can refer back to "nano-papers", object position of the previous clause.
However, the both the clauses doesn't hold equal importance in the sentence as the clause which uses THEY and THEM is a dependent clause starting with which, thereby the RULE doesn't apply to this sentence.
Please advise
Rgds,
TGC !
RULE:In particular, a pronoun in subject position in one clause may often be presumed to refer to the subject of a parallel
clause, even if that subject is relatively far away.
As you can see in RED, can we say that this rule is general or NOT?
Example:
Supernovas destroy their immediate environments in vast explosions,
BUT by synthesizing heavy chemical elements, THEY provide the universe
with the possibility of biochemistry-based life as we know it.
Explanation:Supernovas is the subject of the first clause. The they is also in subject position in the second
clause, which is parallel to the first clause. Even though there are at least two closer possible
antecedents (environments and explosions), we know that they clearly refers to supernovas.
Pronoun Ambiguity:
Researchers claim to have developed new "nano-papers" incorporating tiny
cellulose fibers, which THEY allege give THEM the strength of cast iron.
When we talk about pronoun ambiguity , I know this is not the sole criterion of eliminating a choice.
However, I need clarity on this.
When we so logical antecedent , we mean that what the author wants the reader to logically understand.
Here in the above example
(1). nano-papers cannot allege as they are not living beings.So, THEY should logically refer back to Researchers.
(2). THEM correctly refer backs to nano-papers as Researchers are not eating nano-papers in their diet so that it
would give researchers strength.
Please advise on the above.
Please clarify whether I my reasoning is correct when we apply the PRONOUN CASE Rule to this question.
THEY can refer back to "Researchers" , subject position of the previous clause.
THEM can refer back to "nano-papers", object position of the previous clause.
However, the both the clauses doesn't hold equal importance in the sentence as the clause which uses THEY and THEM is a dependent clause starting with which, thereby the RULE doesn't apply to this sentence.
Please advise
Rgds,
TGC !
Director
Joined: 03 Aug 2012
Posts: 587
Given Kudos: 322
Concentration: General Management, General Management
GMAT 1: 630 Q47 V29
GMAT 2: 680 Q50 V32
GPA: 3.7
WE:Information Technology (Investment Banking)
Re: MGMAT SC:Pronoun Ambiguity and Pronoun Case
[#permalink]
25 Aug 2013, 05:50
25 Aug 2013, 05:50
Usage of Which As per MGMAT SC Guide:
We finally chose the coffee table towards the back of the store, which we thought
would complement our living room furniture.
The original sentence is incorrect because the pronoun which refers to store. Store is an illogical
antecedent for which, because the table, not the store, is what would complement someone's living
room furniture.
My query:
"coffee table towards the back of the store" is a phrase having ADJ NOUN+ prepositional phrase.
So table blah blah(PP) , which
Doesn't it clearly refers back to table?
Because in some explanation of Official question by RON, he mentioned that
X of Y, which ... if doesn't satisfy with Y can satisfy with X
Plz Advise
Rgds,
TGC!
We finally chose the coffee table towards the back of the store, which we thought
would complement our living room furniture.
The original sentence is incorrect because the pronoun which refers to store. Store is an illogical
antecedent for which, because the table, not the store, is what would complement someone's living
room furniture.
My query:
"coffee table towards the back of the store" is a phrase having ADJ NOUN+ prepositional phrase.
So table blah blah(PP) , which
Doesn't it clearly refers back to table?
Because in some explanation of Official question by RON, he mentioned that
X of Y, which ... if doesn't satisfy with Y can satisfy with X
Plz Advise
Rgds,
TGC!
VP
Joined: 02 Jul 2012
Posts: 1003
Given Kudos: 116
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
GPA: 3.8
WE:Engineering (Energy and Utilities)
Re: MGMAT SC:Pronoun Ambiguity and Pronoun Case
[#permalink]
28 Aug 2013, 22:43
28 Aug 2013, 22:43
1
Kudos
Researchers claim to have developed new "nano-papers" incorporating tiny cellulose fibers, which THEY allege give THEM the strength of cast iron.
In this sentence, as you say, "they" is unambiguous. However "them" IS ambiguous. "Them" could still logically refer to the researchers.
We finally chose the coffee table towards the back of the store, which we thought would complement our living room furniture.
"X of Y, which ... if doesn't satisfy with Y can satisfy with X." I haven't read the official explanation.
But what Ron probably meant by "doesn't satisy" - I think I can illustrate through this sentence itself. In the sentence as it is, the modifier modifies not "the store" but rather it modifies "the back of the store", which is still wrong. It does NOT by any means modify "the coffee table".
In this sentence, as you say, "they" is unambiguous. However "them" IS ambiguous. "Them" could still logically refer to the researchers.
We finally chose the coffee table towards the back of the store, which we thought would complement our living room furniture.
"X of Y, which ... if doesn't satisfy with Y can satisfy with X." I haven't read the official explanation.
But what Ron probably meant by "doesn't satisy" - I think I can illustrate through this sentence itself. In the sentence as it is, the modifier modifies not "the store" but rather it modifies "the back of the store", which is still wrong. It does NOT by any means modify "the coffee table".
