Primarily grazers, large tortoise concentrations feed on grasses and

Primarily grazers, large tortoise concentrations feed on grasses and other plants, forming extensive areas of very low, well-cropped turf.

(A) Primarily grazers, large tortoise concentrations - Incorrect - the subject of A is Concentrations. How can "concentrations" be grazers?
(B) Primarily grazers, large concentrations of tortoises - same issue as A
(C) Primarily grazers, tortoises in large concentrations - Correct. The subject of the sentence is Tortoises and Primarily Grazers modifies this subject correctly
(D) Large tortoise concentrations, since they are primarily grazers, - same issue as A
(E) Large concentrations of tortoises, being primarily grazers - same issue as A

Can someone please give a detailed explanation for why E is wrong?

Hi Vaishali, option E uses "being".

"being" is not really a GMAT favorite; there are only few very specific instances on GMAT, when the usage of "being" is considered acceptable (for example when "being" is used as a gerund). E is not one of them.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses the usage of "being", its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

Hello Vaishali2004,

We hope this finds you well.

Having gone through the question and your query, we believe we can answer your doubt.

Option E incorrectly modifies "Large concentrations of tortoises" with "being primarily grazers", illogically implying that the concentrations are primarily grazers; the intended meaning is that the tortoises themselves are primarily grazers; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.

Further, Option E is needlessly wordy due to its use of the word "being"; “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.

To understand the use of "Being" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

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