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Hi,
what if in an SC question, we are asked to choose between
slim vs less chance
or
fat vs greater chance
what will be the right option?
Since chance is a unit of measure(probability) ideally it should be greater or less(depending on the question). But colloquially slim\fat chance is also considered right. Is the GMAT for or against this?
Also
in place of lesser, if we're given an option to choose between
lesser vs lower
lesser vs smaller
greater vs cooler
greater vs higher
greater vs larger
fewer vs meager
more vs exceeding
more vs larger
what will be the correct usage? I understand a lot of it depends on usage. But if we're given a sentence e.g.
The interest rates this year are lower than last year's.
vs
The interest rates this year are lesser than last year's.
Which one is correct according to gmat?
humbly request experts to intervene.
what if in an SC question, we are asked to choose between
slim vs less chance
or
fat vs greater chance
what will be the right option?
Since chance is a unit of measure(probability) ideally it should be greater or less(depending on the question). But colloquially slim\fat chance is also considered right. Is the GMAT for or against this?
Also
in place of lesser, if we're given an option to choose between
lesser vs lower
lesser vs smaller
greater vs cooler
greater vs higher
greater vs larger
fewer vs meager
more vs exceeding
more vs larger
what will be the correct usage? I understand a lot of it depends on usage. But if we're given a sentence e.g.
The interest rates this year are lower than last year's.
vs
The interest rates this year are lesser than last year's.
Which one is correct according to gmat?
humbly request experts to intervene.
Archived Topic
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08 Jun 2017, 16:40
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Dear Kaal,
I'm happy to help.
First of all, "slim chance" and "fat chance" are highly colloquial phrases that appear in American conversation English, but these are very informal and would never appear on the GMAT. BTW, in American spoken English, "fat chance" is almost always used sarcastically to implie its opposite.
"Is Chris going to watch the baseball game with us?" -- "Fat chance! He hates baseball!"
The GMAT might speak of "more/less likely" or a "higher/lower probability." Using the word "chance" to describe probabilities at all sounds a little colloquial, not quite as well-spoken as the GMAT would be.
For ordinary numbers, math numbers, we use "greater" and "less."
For measurements (temperature, speed, etc.), we sometimes use "higher" and "lower." This would also be correct for "interest rates."
In formal contexts, "smaller" and "larger" are used for physical size. In more colloquial contexts, these might be used for numerical comparisons, but I don't think I have seen this use on the GMAT. I will say that "a larger number" sounds considerably more natural than "a smaller number." Also, the term "bigger number" sounds like grade-school speak, not what we would expect from intelligent adults.
The word "lesser" is particularly interesting--this is never used for numerical comparisons or comparisons of physical size. It almost always used for questions of virtue, moral worth, artistic merit--something more philosophical. The word has a very negative disparaging connotation--it's a well-spoken way to deliver a deep insult. For example, someone might say, "A is a musical genius, but B is a lesser artist." Since the GMAT steers clear of any controversy, I have never seen the word "lesser" on any official question.
Similarly, the word "meager" denotes a small number, but it has a disparaging connection.
"The politician's first rally had a small turnout." -- factual, value-neutral, as a newspaper might report
"The politician's first rally had a meager turnout." -- disparaging, implying that there's something wrong here
Most of the other numerical comparative words are value-neutral, but "lesser" and "meager" definitely have some emotional charge to them.
Does all this make sense?
Mike
I'm happy to help.
First of all, "slim chance" and "fat chance" are highly colloquial phrases that appear in American conversation English, but these are very informal and would never appear on the GMAT. BTW, in American spoken English, "fat chance" is almost always used sarcastically to implie its opposite.
"Is Chris going to watch the baseball game with us?" -- "Fat chance! He hates baseball!"
The GMAT might speak of "more/less likely" or a "higher/lower probability." Using the word "chance" to describe probabilities at all sounds a little colloquial, not quite as well-spoken as the GMAT would be.
For ordinary numbers, math numbers, we use "greater" and "less."
For measurements (temperature, speed, etc.), we sometimes use "higher" and "lower." This would also be correct for "interest rates."
In formal contexts, "smaller" and "larger" are used for physical size. In more colloquial contexts, these might be used for numerical comparisons, but I don't think I have seen this use on the GMAT. I will say that "a larger number" sounds considerably more natural than "a smaller number." Also, the term "bigger number" sounds like grade-school speak, not what we would expect from intelligent adults.
The word "lesser" is particularly interesting--this is never used for numerical comparisons or comparisons of physical size. It almost always used for questions of virtue, moral worth, artistic merit--something more philosophical. The word has a very negative disparaging connotation--it's a well-spoken way to deliver a deep insult. For example, someone might say, "A is a musical genius, but B is a lesser artist." Since the GMAT steers clear of any controversy, I have never seen the word "lesser" on any official question.
Similarly, the word "meager" denotes a small number, but it has a disparaging connection.
"The politician's first rally had a small turnout." -- factual, value-neutral, as a newspaper might report
"The politician's first rally had a meager turnout." -- disparaging, implying that there's something wrong here
Most of the other numerical comparative words are value-neutral, but "lesser" and "meager" definitely have some emotional charge to them.
Does all this make sense?
Mike
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
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