Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the sa

AjiteshArun ,GMATNinja ,mikemcgarry , egmat ,sayantanc2k , other experts -
In OA-A , can you please enlighten on the usage of the underlined part as below that can be reworded as - If used repeatedly in the same place, Certain pesticides can become ineffective.
Since the If part of the sentence is in simple past (used), shouldn't the then part of the sentence be in simple past or use would verb ?


Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals

Dear Skywalker18

I'm happy to contribute to this discussion.

I see that my intelligent colleagues AjiteshArun and sayantanc2k have already responded. With all due respect to those gentlemen, I would give a slightly different reply.

Because "if" is a subordinate conjunction, this word always begins a full clause that requires a full verb. I believe the GMAT would say that "if used repeatedly" is correct only because it is understood that a simple [pronoun] + [auxiliary verb] pair has been omitted.

If [they are] used repeatedly in the same place, certain pesticides can become ineffective.

Here, we see that the verb is NOT a past tense verb at all. Instead, it's a present-tense passive verb.

Does all this make sense?
Mike

Excellent question! Here's the distinction: as a conventional pronoun, we use "that" for singular entities and "those" for plural. For example:

"Tim's phobias of sharks and dolphins are far more severe than those of his two-year-old daughter, who fears only broccoli and sleep."

"Those," in this case, is functioning as a pronoun, or a stand-in for another noun: we're comparing Tim's phobias with his daughter's phobias.

But as a modifier, we always use "that," even when we're modifying a plural noun:

"The phobias that really crippled Tim mostly involved harmless sea creatures."

Here, "that" is functioning as a modifier describing Tim's phobias, rather than introducing a fresh set of phobias, as we did in the previous example.

The takeaway: we want "those" if we're using a pronoun as stand-in for a plural noun, and we use "that" if we're modifying a plural noun (or if we're modifying any noun).

I hope that helps!

Hi sir,

Am i correct in eliminating D ????
----> IC, IC is wrong thats why D is a run on.

Also, i did not understand your explanation to eliminate D --- dangling modifier loosely attached. Can you elucidate further ?



Regards

daagh Why in (E) the use of "that" is essential between reason and certain? Tks!

DmitryFarber can you please give us your take on this question? What is your process to get to the right AC on this one? Tks!

Appreciation helps keep me motivated so please don’t shy away.
Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.

We have a ; here so we need two independent clauses in this sentence.

(A) Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals

(B) If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason that certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals

If used…, is modifying one reason. Hence incorrect.

(C) If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes are found in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than those that are free of such chemicals
It is unclear what those refers to.

(D) The finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals is suggestive of one reason, if used repeatedly in the same place, certain pesticides can become ineffective
certain pesticides can become ineffective is far away from one reason hence incorrect.


(E) The finding of much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in those that are free of such chemicals suggests one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place
It is unclear what those refers back to.


Answer is A

Hi Sir AndrewN

reason that vs reason

1. He concealed the reason that he had robed.
2. He concealed the reason he had robed.

Based on sound , i felt it is not necessary to have "that" in between certain and reason. I was not sure. Thought of getting opinion from experts.
Please suggest.

The finding suggests one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective .
The finding suggests one reason that certain pesticides can become ineffective .


Thanks!

Hello, imSKR. In general when it comes to writing, it is a good idea, especially on the GMAT™, to opt for a more formal inclusion of that, even if native English speakers often skip over it in conversation. As a GMAT™ sentence, the second version above, about the finding, is much safer, unless the that were to come later, as it does in the original sentence in this question (i.e. one reason is... that). Similarly, I would choose the first sentence about the person concealing something. Incidentally, you created a funny meaning with that one. I think you may have meant "robbed" (i.e. stole something) instead of "robed" (put something on). Someone typically puts on a robe to conceal his nakedness, so there seems to be a little wordplay in saying he concealed the reason that he had [put on a robe]. (Is he, ahem, undersized? Does he have an abnormal amount of body hair? A large gut?) Thank you for the amusing detour, even if it was unintentional.

- Andrew

Hello experts - within C, what is "those" referring to exactly?

In (C), "those" should refer to "soils" (soils that are free of such chemicals).

In (A), we have, "there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with {...} than in soils that are {...}." By repeating the "in" and using "soils" instead of "those," the comparison is much clearer. That's one more vote in favor of (A) over (C).

Hi GMATGuruNY
Is my understanding in meaning correct.

Difference between finding of vs the finding that.

(A) Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals

In (A) we say that the noun "the finding". What finding? There are much larger populations of pesticides..
This finding suggests one reason.. finding is an idea noun and means evidence in this context.

(E)The finding of much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in those that are free of such chemicals suggests one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place

The finding of microbes.. is a complex gerund (Noun only). A complex gerund however still represents action. The meaning stands that the act of finding of microbes suggests and not the noun finding itself.

My question is that in the first case "the finding" is a complex gerund also but just more NOUN like than the complex gerund that represents action ?

the finding = the discovery
Your reasoning is valid in that E does not convey the same type of discovery as A.

E: the finding of...populations of pesticide-degrading microbes
Here, the MICROBES THEMSELVES are discovered.
Not the intended meaning.
The intended meaning of the original sentence is that a DIFFERENCE is discovered, as discussed in the green portion below:
A: the finding that there are much larger populations in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals
Since the original sentence conveys a logical meaning -- and E distorts this meaning -- eliminate E.

Yes!! Thank you 🙏

I read through the other explanations and thought to myself, “why hasn’t anyone brought up the omission of “that” in D?”

Cutting out all the fluff:

“The finding is suggestive of one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective.”

The finding is NOT just suggestive of one reason IN GENERAL.

The finding is suggestive of one reason THAT certain pesticides can become ineffective.

(In a sentence written in the active voice, one would write, “The finding suggests THAT.....”)

I remember that the description of the concept is as follows:

when the word “that” appears just after a working verb, it acts as a “re-set button.”

In this case, “is suggestive” is the working verb and inserting the word “that” seems to be necessary.

I believe that the example used in the Man Prep Guide is a sentence about an actor.

“I know Brad Pitt is an actor.” Wrong!

“I know THAT Brad Pitt is an actor.” Correct!

It’s one of those things we do when we speak (drop the “that”). However, it’s not correct on the GMAT.

Awesome explanation and I’m happy that I was able to think as you did. (You really know your stuff!)











Posted from my mobile device

Yeah..but we cannot blindly apply this as a rule.

There are numerous instances in official GMAT questions, where that is implied.

Have provided couple of official sentences below:

Many experts regarded the increase in credit card borrowing in March not as a sign that households were pressed for cash and forced to borrow, but as a sign that households were confident they could safely handle new debt.

On first encountering leaf-cutting ants in South America, some Europeans thought the insects were carrying bits of greenery to shade themselves from the tropical sun—hence the sobriquet “parasol ants.”

Good spot. Thank you.




Posted from my mobile device

I just tried to eliminate the wrong options as per my reading and understanding of meaning. I can only discern the of option A. All the other options sound either ridiculous or awkward. I eliminated them. The correct answer is A.