Last visit was: 20 Jun 2025, 15:45 It is currently 20 Jun 2025, 15:45
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Yahsek
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Last visit: 13 Feb 2014
Posts: 533
Own Kudos:
413
 [259]
Given Kudos: 34
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Concentration: Sustainable Development
Schools:Ross '12 (MBA/MS)
 Q49  V45
Posts: 533
Kudos: 413
 [259]
37
Kudos
Add Kudos
219
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
daagh
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Last visit: 16 Oct 2020
Posts: 5,264
Own Kudos:
42,339
 [68]
Given Kudos: 422
Status: enjoying
Location: India
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,264
Kudos: 42,339
 [68]
34
Kudos
Add Kudos
32
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
hanumayamma
Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Last visit: 14 May 2015
Posts: 366
Own Kudos:
553
 [62]
Posts: 366
Kudos: 553
 [62]
40
Kudos
Add Kudos
21
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
bsd_lover
Joined: 17 May 2007
Last visit: 15 Mar 2020
Posts: 2,434
Own Kudos:
1,723
 [5]
Given Kudos: 210
Posts: 2,434
Kudos: 1,723
 [5]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
D it is. A,C have SV issues and E is awkward.

Between B and D "because it is genetically engineered" vs "being genetically engineered" I am leaning towards D here after relying on my ear .. +1 for a good question.

YihWei
Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.

A) because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B) because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
C) being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will
D) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
E) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it? will
User avatar
FN
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Last visit: 07 May 2012
Posts: 1,577
Own Kudos:
670
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: New York City
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:Wharton'11 HBS'12
Posts: 1,577
Kudos: 670
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Ditto.."they" plants are plural..but we have singular weed..A and C and E are out..

B is just very wordy..D is concise

bsd_lover
D it is. A,C have SV issues and E is awkward.

Between B and D "because it is genetically engineered" vs "being genetically engineered" I am leaning towards D here after relying on my ear .. +1 for a good question.

YihWei
Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.

A) because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B) because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
C) being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will
D) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
E) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it? will
avatar
acer2knight
Joined: 26 May 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2012
Posts: 161
Own Kudos:
660
 [12]
Given Kudos: 13
 Q49  V32 GMAT 2: 700  Q49  V35
Posts: 161
Kudos: 660
 [12]
7
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.

A. because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B. because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
C. being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will
D. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
E. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will become

Format of the sentence - Independent clause, dependent clause

A - they, it , plants -- awkward
B - sounds OK
C - pronoun issue - it and plants
D - sounds OK
E - wordy and awkward

On exam day I would have picked up B.
But I remember reading that GMAT folks generally doesnt like to use pronoun first for the subject of the sentence before introducing the actual noun. This is the case in B.

I think the answer here is D.
User avatar
achiever01
Joined: 15 Mar 2010
Last visit: 08 Oct 2011
Posts: 56
Own Kudos:
237
 [13]
Given Kudos: 30
Posts: 56
Kudos: 237
 [13]
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
calvinhobbes
Please explain the answer choices.
Thank you.


Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.

A. because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B. because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
C. being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will
D. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
E. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will become

IMO 'D'

The usage of 'being' is perfectly fine here. Being is usually redundant in the following cases:

being + noun
being+ verb

'being' + adverb is the correct usage.
User avatar
nsp007
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Last visit: 15 Dec 2010
Posts: 162
Own Kudos:
306
 [2]
Given Kudos: 44
 Q47  V35
Posts: 162
Kudos: 306
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Answer should be D.

B. because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
D. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to

D makes a better choice because in B, the pronoun is used first(before the actual noun).

the use of being is not wrong, but it is usually not preferred. In this case, choice D is a better than choice B.
User avatar
noboru
Joined: 16 Jul 2009
Last visit: 15 Jan 2020
Posts: 539
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Schools:CBS
 Q50  V37
WE 1: 4 years (Consulting)
Posts: 539
Kudos: 9,284
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hanumayamma
Hi quiet888,

Simply is an adverb and as you know adverbs modifies verbs or other adverbs.

In this question, we have two choices:

Simply because or Simply being

"because" acts as conjunction and "being" functions as verb.

So 3-2 split choice narrowed C,D and E.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

I dont agree with that.
An adverb can modify almost everything except nouns.
User avatar
PTK
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Last visit: 06 Oct 2022
Posts: 1,139
Own Kudos:
2,186
 [6]
Given Kudos: 622
Status:mission completed!
GPA: 3.77
Products:
Posts: 1,139
Kudos: 2,186
 [6]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
noboru
I dont agree with that.
An adverb can modify almost everything except nouns.


Adverbs are words that modify:

*a whole clause.
*a verb (He drove slowly. — How did he drive?)
*an adjective (He drove a very fast car. — How fast was his car?)
*another adverb (She moved quite slowly down the aisle. — How slowly did she move?)
As we will see, adverbs often tell when, where, why, or under what conditions something happens or happened. Adverbs frequently end in -ly; however, many words and phrases not ending in -ly serve an adverbial function and an -ly ending is not a guarantee that a word is an adverb. The words lovely, lonely, motherly, friendly, neighborly, for instance, are adjectives.
User avatar
PTK
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Last visit: 06 Oct 2022
Posts: 1,139
Own Kudos:
2,186
 [4]
Given Kudos: 622
Status:mission completed!
GPA: 3.77
Products:
Posts: 1,139
Kudos: 2,186
 [4]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
More about adverbs.

ADVERB OF MANNER

Adverbs of manner modify a verb to describe the way the action is done.

EG: She did the work carefully.

('Carefully' modifies the verb to describe the way the work was done, as opposed to quickly, carelessly, etc..)

ADVERB OF PLACE or LOCATION

Adverbs of place show where the action is done.

EG: They live locally.

ADVERB OF TIME

Adverbs of time show when an action is done, or the duration or frequency.

EG: He did it yesterday. (When)

They are permanently busy. (Duration)

She never does it. (Frequency)

ADVERB OF DEGREE

Adverbs of degree increase or decrease the effect of the verb.

EG: I completely agree with you. (This increases the effect of the verb, whereas 'partially' would decrease it.)

ADVERBS MODIFYING ADJECTIVES

An adjective can be modified by an adverb, which precedes the adjective, except 'enough' which comes after.

EG: That's really good.

It was a terribly difficult time for all of us.

It wasn't good enough. ('Enough' comes after the adjective.)

ADVERBS MODIFYING ADVERBS

An adverb can modify another. As with adjectives, the adverb precedes the one it is modifying with 'enough' being the exception again.

EG: She did it really well.

He didn't come last night, funnily enough.

ADVERBS MODIFYING NOUNS

Adverbs can modify nouns to indicate time or place.

EG: The concert tomorrow

EG: The room upstairs


ADVERBS MODIFYING NOUN PHRASES

Some adverbs of degree can modify noun phrases.

EG: We had quite a good time.

They're such good friends.


Quite; rather; such; what (What a day!) can be used in this way.

ADVERBS MODIFYING DETERMINERS, NUMERALS & PRONOUNS

Adverbs such as almost; nearly; hardly; about, etc., can be used:

EG: Almost everybody came in the end.

source: https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/adverb.html

I do not believe that adverbs modify nouns, but this is what the source stated, so I would be cautious about this.
User avatar
JarvisR
Joined: 05 Nov 2012
Last visit: 05 Jan 2017
Posts: 338
Own Kudos:
4,820
 [10]
Given Kudos: 606
Concentration: Technology, Other
Products:
6
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
This one really vexed me especially B Vs D.
Below if what I figured out, after some Google.Sharing it with the fraternity:
Regards.

Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.

1: The non underlined part "an invasive or persistent weed" need to refer a singular noun => a plant.

A) because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B) because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
>> Out.Read the below notes:
C) being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will
D) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
>>Correct. Being used here as a Gerund.
E) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will

Quick Notes from Manhattan forum:
#1
Basically, there are 3 things in the world that can be subjects of a verb:
1/ nouns,
2/ pronouns, and
3/ clauses with "that" in front of them.

I'll assume #1 and #2 are self-explanatory.
An example of #3 is "That you were on time was a surprise to everyone". In that sentence, the entire italicized thing is the subject.

#2:
you can't say "because SUBJECT VERB ... is ...". this sentence is trying to use "(simply) because it is genetically engineered" as a subject.
in fact, you cannot use ANY clause starting with a conjunction (either a coordinating or subordinating conjunction -- look these up if you need to refresh yourself on what they are) as a subject.
User avatar
soumya170293
Joined: 29 Jan 2015
Last visit: 05 Jan 2022
Posts: 72
Own Kudos:
111
 [2]
Given Kudos: 459
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 4
WE:Information Technology (Internet and New Media)
Posts: 72
Kudos: 111
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I chose B, despite noticing the ambiguity of 'it' in the sentence.
Only for the reason of BEi ng.

'being' is strongly abhorrent word in GMAT.

So why the OA is D???
User avatar
abhimahna
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 18 Jul 2015
Last visit: 06 Jul 2024
Posts: 3,521
Own Kudos:
5,683
 [2]
Given Kudos: 346
Status:Emory Goizueta Alum
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 3,521
Kudos: 5,683
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
soumya170293
I chose B, despite noticing the ambiguity of 'it' in the sentence.
Only for the reason of BEi ng.

'being' is strongly abhorrent word in GMAT.

So why the OA is D???

My friend, beware of such rules as the one highlighted above.

Read this article. It may help you understand when to use being.

https://e-gmat.com/blog/gmat-verbal/sen ... -questions
User avatar
Skywalker18
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 08 Dec 2013
Last visit: 15 Nov 2023
Posts: 2,053
Own Kudos:
9,628
 [5]
Given Kudos: 171
Status:Greatness begins beyond your comfort zone
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GPA: 3.2
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Products:
Posts: 2,053
Kudos: 9,628
 [5]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.

(A) because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to - many plants become "an invasive or persistent weed" (singular) ; 'it' is a pronoun that refers to the idea of "because the plants are genetically engineered" usage is incorrect
(B) because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to - because it is genetically engineered" as a subject CAN'T be the subject --in fact, you cannot use ANY clause starting with a conjunction (either a coordinating or subordinating conjunction -- look these up if you need to refresh yourself on what they are) as a subject. ever.
(C) being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will - "plants" (plural) can become "an invasive or persistent weed" (singular). since multiple plants can't become one weed, that's incorrect.
(D) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to - Correct
(E) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will -- more likely that is undiomatic

(B) is also wrong for a much more tangible reason: it doesn't have a subject. Same problem with (A).

Choices A and B are trying to use "Simply because xxxxx" as a subject.

Basically, there are 3 things in the world that can be subjects of a verb:
1. nouns,
2. pronouns, and
3. clauses with "that" in front of them.

An example of #3 is "That you were on time was a surprise to everyone". In that sentence, the entire italicized thing is the subject.

Answer D
User avatar
rashwiniyer
Joined: 18 Aug 2012
Last visit: 09 Jan 2024
Posts: 65
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 78
Posts: 65
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I came down to last 2 options as B and D. I chose B as usually 'being' is wrong in GMAT. Moreover, being refers to temporary state. How can something genetically engineered stuff can be temporary? Is my analysis wrong? please explain.
If my analysis is wrong, then is the reason for B to be wrong is only that a pronoun cannot be used before the actual noun? Is this a rule?
User avatar
AjiteshArun
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 15 Jul 2015
Last visit: 01 Jun 2025
Posts: 5,949
Own Kudos:
5,049
 [15]
Given Kudos: 732
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Posts: 5,949
Kudos: 5,049
 [15]
12
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
rashwiniyer
I came down to last 2 options as B and D. I chose B as usually 'being' is wrong in GMAT. Moreover, being refers to temporary state. How can something genetically engineered stuff can be temporary? Is my analysis wrong? please explain.
If my analysis is wrong, then is the reason for B to be wrong is only that a pronoun cannot be used before the actual noun? Is this a rule?
Let's remove the simply, so that we can focus on the subject-verb pair:

B. Because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to...

D. Being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to...

The problem with B is that we can't use an entire because clause as the subject of the sentence (option D uses the gerund being as the subject of does make).

1. Because he is talented is not enough to win him a medal. ← This is wrong.
2. Being talented is not enough to win him a medal. ← This is okay.

This being is used to describe him generally (this is not "temporary").
User avatar
MSIMBA
Joined: 04 Jun 2017
Last visit: 14 Aug 2020
Posts: 74
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 180
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Operations
GMAT 1: 500 Q39 V20
GPA: 3.82
GMAT 1: 500 Q39 V20
Posts: 74
Kudos: 39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hanumayamma
Hi quiet888,

Simply is an adverb and as you know adverbs modifies verbs or other adverbs.

In this question, we have two choices:

Simply because or Simply being

"because" acts as conjunction and "being" functions as verb.

So 3-2 split choice narrowed C,D and E.

Hope this helps.

Thanks


yes its a better answer

Simply better explains being as verb and

D Choice is more meaninful than C & E
User avatar
MidhilaMohan
Joined: 03 Mar 2017
Last visit: 22 Oct 2024
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 76
Location: India
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Products:
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Posts: 113
Kudos: 68
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
the pronoun 'it' had to be corrected and the usage 'likely to become' than 'likely that it will'
User avatar
ExpertsGlobal5
User avatar
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Last visit: 19 Jun 2025
Posts: 5,132
Own Kudos:
4,724
 [9]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,132
Kudos: 4,724
 [9]
7
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Yahsek
Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.


(A) because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to

(B) because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to

(C) being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will

(D) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to

(E) being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will


Choice A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase "because they are genetically engineered..." as the subject of the sentence; only nouns, pronouns, noun phrases, pronoun phrases, and gerunds can be subjects, as a subject must be capable of taking action or having action taken upon it. Additionally, there is a logical disconnect here because the answer choice refers to multiple plants becoming "an invasive or persistent weed". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice B: This answer choice suffers from the same subject related error found in Option A. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice C: This answer choice suffers from the same logical inconsistency, describing "plants" becoming the singular "weed", found in Options A and B. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice D: This answer choice correctly employes the gerund "being genetically engineered..." as the subject of the sentence, is quite concise, and avoids logical inconsistencies. Thus, this answer choice is correct.

Choice E: This answer choice is wordy and awkward due to the use of the phrase "likely that it will become", as the phrase "likely to" can convey the same information much more concisely. Thus, this is not a very good answer choice.

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Use of Being on GMAT", you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team
 1   2   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7332 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
235 posts