I am really confused about the use of "so as to".

Nice explanation .

a note from Manhattan GMAT for the first question

Option (c) --> The construction “so x as to y,” presented here as “so large as to cause…” is a suspect idiomatic form, one that is not preferred by the GMAT.Moreover, the meaning is changed; "so large as to cause..." means that the outcome definitely happens. However, the original sentence only indicates that the "collective appetite CAN become..."


If given a choice between SO AS TO and SO X AS TO Y ( no other errors ) , which one should we prefer ?

Although the Argentine ant is neither poisonous nor predatory, individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large that its collective appetite can become a competitive threat to bird, lizard, and other insect populations.

A)Individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large that its collective appetite can become a competitive

B)individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony of such size, its collective appetite can become a competing

C)individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large as to cause its collective appetite to become a competitive

D)such is the size of the cooperative super-colony comprising individual colonies, its collective appetite can become a competing

E)there is so much size to the individual colonies’ cooperative super-colony that its collective appetite can become a competitive

OE:

This sentence correctly uses the idiomatic construction “so x that y” where y is a subordinate clause that explains or describes x: “so large that its collective appetite…” The possessive pronoun “its” clearly refers to the “super-colony,” which is correctly modified by the adjective “large.”

(A) CORRECT. The original sentence is correct as written.

(B) The use of the noun “size” instead of the adjective “large” results in a more awkward and wordy alternative to the original sentence. The subordinate clause “its collective appetite…” should be introduced by “that.” Additionally, “competing” does not have the same meaning as “competitive.”

(C) The construction “so x as to y,” presented here as “so large as to cause…” is a suspect idiomatic form, one that is not preferred by the GMAT. Moreover, the meaning is changed; "so large as to cause..." means that the outcome definitely happens. However, the original sentence only indicates that the "collective appetite CAN become..."

(D) The construction “such is the size of the cooperative super-colony comprising individual colonies” is an awkward and wordy alternative to the original “individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large.” The subordinate clause “its collective appetite…” should be introduced by “that.” Additionally, “competing” does not have the same meaning as “competitive.”

(E) The construction “there is so much size to the individual colonies’ cooperative super-colony” is an awkward and wordy alternative to the original “individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large.”

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