Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that

Question

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2) 
 For SC butler Questions  Click Here

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think  as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these .

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these

B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized

E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like

Ranasaymon · Accepted Answer

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these

=> Parallelism error: computers that will be used to diagnose....., deciding...., or other purpose ( verb, verb-ing, noun)

B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

=> Modifier error: which is a noun modifier, it should be near the noun! Here, which incorrectly modifies the action of an expert.

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

=> Comparison is clear: Like is used to compare between two noun computers and an expert. 
=> Parallelism is clear: such purposes as diagnosing....or deciding

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized
 
=> To give examples, we need to use 'such as'. 
=> Whether or not ( redundant) 
=> Wordy

E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like 
 
=> Parallelism error: diagnose..... deciding.....or the like ( verb, gerund, noun)

XyLan · Answer

Sentence Structure  
 Subject  -  Verb  -  Modifier 
  Researchers at ThinkSoft   say  
  they(  Researchers  )   will be able  to make computers 
  that(  computers  )   can interpret  native languages and logically  think  like an expert — 
 computers  that   will be used  for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan.

Issue Analysis:  
 We have a demarcation between "as an expert does" AND "like an expert".
The intent is to showcase that the computer CAN function at a similar level to an expert.

I think that either "as an expert does" OR "like an expert" could be correct here. 
 "As" compares verbs, and if the phrase used is "as an expert does," the comparison is between computer reasoning and expert reasoning, so it's valid. 
When "like an expert" is used, the comparison is between computers and experts, which are nouns, so again, it's valid.

The deal-breaker here is the latter part of the underlined portion.
Thus, the deal is not with As Vs Like.

Let's keep this decision factor on hold and play for other issues.
The "Whether or not" usage is NOT apt. 
 -  D and E

Answer choice analysis:  
 A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as  these    these - What does these refers to? - OUT!   
B) as an expert does , which  may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan   position of which is not correct since the term "computers" is TOO far from the modifier - OUT!   
C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as  diagnosing  equipment breakdowns or  deciding  whether to authorize a loan  Noun + Noun modifier - Can live with this usage; Parallelism between diagnosing and deciding. 
The sentence structure checks alright - C is the champ!  
D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision  whether or not a loan  should be authorized   Incorrect - whether or not is not the correct usage. OUT!   
E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding  whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like    Incorrect - whether or not is not the correct usage. OUT!

vijk · Answer

Let's get to the meaning, the sentence intends to convey that computers will act in a certain fashion - with similar attributes of an expert - a computer can not be an expert so can not act 'as' an expert. (a discussion on this as vs like is here https://gmatclub.com/forum/as-vs-like-c ... 33950.html) D & E have an error which can be fatal on GMAT - whether or not is a redundant phrase on GMAT, not is implied. But let's not make a decision based just on that, in D - 'diagnosis of equipment' is not parallel to 'a loan should be authorized' Parallelism and GMAT are a match made in student hell - heaven if you can ace it, A & E also have a similar error. C has to be the answer.

generis · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2)

THE PROMPT

Quote:

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.

• although you can see an as/like split in the answer choices, look for other errors or splits before you assess the as/like distinction
→ As is the case in some official questions, the as/like split is a distraction.
As and like are used correctly in all options.
→ Even if there were errors involving as and like, you should investigate other errors first.
Teasing out as and like may be really tempting because a rule exists. Don't be tempted to take on that split first. (And in this case, no error split exists.)
→ In this case, as is correctly followed by a subject and verb, and like is correctly followed only by a noun.

• Parallelism
→ everything that follows the em dash (—) describes what the computers will do
→ that list of tasks must be parallel

THE OPTIONS

Quote:

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these

• the lack of parallelism is fatal: to diagnose, deciding, and or other purposes are not parallel

• these is not enough of a problem to eliminate this option
→ typically, these (plural of this) points to a noun (I like these sneakers.)
→ as far as I know, GMAC has allowed this as a standalone only one time (very recently -- OG 2020)
→ purposes such as these is arguably elliptical ("purposes such as these [purposes]"), albeit very clumsy
→ be very cautious about these as a standalone pronoun, but do not automatically eliminate an answer solely because it contains these as a standalone pronoun
The lack of parallelism is fatal.
ELIMINATE A

Quote:

B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

• which must refer to a noun, and in this case must be referring to computers
→ although the antecedent of which can occasionally be placed fairly far away from which, in this case the antecedent is quite far away
Not great. But not totally wrong.
KEEP, but look for a better answer

Quote:

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

• I see no errors
• option C replaces A's third element with "such purposes as."
→This phrase acts as a stem for the other two elements, which are rephrsaed as two parallel phrases: diagnosing ... or deciding ....
• Unlike B, option C repeats the noun computers and is thus clearer than option B.
→ The repetition in (C) is a sophisticated device called a resumptive modifier.
→ A resumptive modifier repeats a key word from the previous phrase or clause and then defines that word.
Resumptive modifiers are very effective devices that help writers be clear and if needed, be emphatic
ELIMINATE B.
KEEP C

Quote:

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized

• an expert is a person, and we do not use which to refer to a person (nor "use of which"), so "use of which" must refer to computers.
→ The noun computers is far from the use of which -- again, not enough to reject (D) automatically, but (C) is better

• GMAC prefers such as to like in order to introduce examples
→ I would not eliminate an option on this basis alone. GMAC has sent confusing signals.
On one hand, GMAC uses like in the non-underlined portion to introduce examples in a couple of official questions
On the other hand, in at least two questions in OG 2020, the OE writer stated that "such as (not like) is the standard way to introduce examples . . . "
The better question: is (D) worse than (C)? Yes.

• whether or not is almost always redundant.
ELIMINATE D

Quote:

E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like

• to diagnose, deciding, and or the like are not parallel
• whether or not is redundant
ELIMINATE E

The answer is C.

COMMENTS

A few answers here are outstanding.
vijk , Ranasaymon , and XyLan I can't bump three of you to Best Community Reply.
Well, maybe I can. I'll try. (I hope that I don't, as usual, "find the bug.")
I'm not sure whether I control the order in which Best Community Replies go up. All three posts are very good in different ways.
Other answers with explanations get kudos or a smiley face.

I forgot to mention . . . vijk , this comment of yours is hilarious: Parallelism and GMAT are a match made in student hell.

Levity is always good.

Be safe, everyone.

Levity is always good. Be safe, everyone.

Varunsawhney8 · Answer

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these
PARALLELISM ERROR
DIAGNOSE...., DECIDING.... OR .... WHETHER....
INCORRECT

B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
USE OF WHICH - INCORRECT
INCORRECT

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
CORRECT
PARALLELISM MAINTAINED - DIAGNOSING.... OR DECIDING

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized
LIKE IS NOT USED FOR PROVIDING EXAMPLES
INCORRECT

E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like
OR THE LIKE - INCORRECT
INCORRECT

chaitralirr · Answer

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.

In the As Vs Like both are used for comparisons hence without context of the sentence options should not be eliminated.

In Options D and E the construction after like is awkward and does not convey the right meaning. In option D the use of which to reflect computers which is placed far similarly for E to be used should refer to computers which is ambiguous.
Option B repeats the same error of D hence can be eliminated. In option A and C we can eliminate option A due to construction and parallelism. IMO C

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these

B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized

E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like

winterschool · Answer

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to  diagnose  equipment breakdowns,  deciding  whether to authorize a loan, or  other purposes such as these   Incorrect

redundancy error - other purposes such as these; 
parallelism error- .....diagnose ......, deciding .....or other purposes....

B) as an expert does,  which  may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan  Incorrect

modifier error - which modifies expert

C)  like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan   Correct

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes  like  the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision  whether or not  a loan should be authorized  Incorrect

uses like is wrong, ..such..as..- use for express example

whether or not - wrong in GMAT

E) like an expert,  to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like   Incorrect

awkward construction

monk123 · Answer

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.
 
POE:
Stop sign- 'to diagnose......deciding'; parallelism error. Eliminate (A) & (E)
Eliminate (B)- 'which' is referring to 'expert does'
Eliminate (D) - ambiguous; 'the use of which'

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used  to diagnose  equipment breakdowns,  deciding  whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these

B) as an expert does,  which  may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan -   CORRECT

D) like an expert,  the use of which  would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized

E) like an expert, to be used  to diagnose  equipment breakdowns,  deciding  whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like

agar123 · Answer

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that can interpret native languages and logically think as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.

Meaning: Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that 
can interpret native languages ----->1st list
and
(can)logically think as an expert does
computers that will be used to -------->2nd list
diagnose equipment breakdowns
deciding whether to authorize a loan
or 
other purposes such as these.

Issue:
Parallelism: There are two lists in the sentence. First is fine, but the second list is not parallel.

A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to  diagnose  equipment breakdowns,  deciding  whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these ----> Parallelism Issue. Incorrect

B) as an expert does,  which  may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan ---> parallelism issue has been fixed but usage of which modifier is incorrect.

C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan----> Correct

D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision  whether or not  a loan should be authorized -----> Use of whether or not is always wrong on the Gmat, such as is better to introduce example

E) like an expert, to  be used to diagnose  equipment breakdowns,  deciding  whether to authorize a loan or not,  or the like  ---> Parallelism issue , Incorrect

generis · Answer

The official explanation is  here .

CEdward · Answer

This one threw me off...aren't we supposed to be comparing the actions of the computer (i.e. computers that can INTERPRET native languages and thick logically as an expert DOES)? Why are we using 'like' in C?

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

I'm not sure why someone has tried to rewrite an official question in this way. The changes make C work poorly. The original version has the verb "reason" right before "like an expert," and this occurs at the end of a list in which the other items are more clearly separate from this whole phrase. See here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/proponents-o ... l#p2628089

The basic idea is that we can say "reason like an expert," but if we want a modifier for a whole list of actions, "as an expert does" becomes a much more sensible option.

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Researchers at ThinkSoft say they will be able to make computers that

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards