Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
Status:Chief Curriculum and Content Architect
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
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GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
SC question
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07 Jul 2023, 04:55
The sentence as written could be considered acceptable since it has become acceptable to use "based on" in the way that sentence uses it.
People often used "based to" to convey the meaning "on the basis of" or "given." So, many people would accept that sentence as conveying the logical meaning "On the basis of his experience in law school, John recommended that his friend take the GMAT instead of the LSAT."
At the same time, in the past, the GMAT has considered sentences that use "based on" in that way incorrect, with the idea being that "based on" is in the position of a noun modifier in such a sentence with the result that the sentence illogically conveys that the subject, in this case "John," is based on something. In this case, the idea would be that, since John would not be based on his experience in law school, the meaning conveyed is illogical.
A sentence version that does not have that possible flaw is the following:
Because of his experience in law school, John recommended that his friend take the GMAT instead of the LSAT.