The architectural problem of how to enclose and articulate interior

Question

The architectural problem of how to enclose and articulate interior space becomes  increasingly critical as the size of the space gets larger.

(a) increasingly critical as the size of the space gets larger 
(b) ever more critical as the size of the space increases 
(c) more and more critical as the size of the space will increase 
(d) one that is increasingly critical as there is an increase in the size of the space 
(e) more critical with the size of the space getting larger

I picked a, but I am wrong.
So I googled, and most people picked a as the answer like me.
Some picked b, but they assumed "ever" was a typo.(It is not a typo)

If ever in b were even as some assume, I would agree that OA is b.
But I've never heard 'ever more critical', and it sounds awkward to me.(Maybe because it's I am not a native English speaker.)

Anyone can explain what's wrong with a and how b can be OA?

daagh · Accepted Answer

vikas 
When you compare X with Y, you can say x is larger or smaller than Y. However, when you are dealing with only X you can only say X increases or decreases. 
A's use of 'larger' makes it flawed.

EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Answer

Hi eybrj2,

Thank you for your question. This is a tricky one, so let's tackle it one problem at a time. When looking over the answers quickly, it's clear there are a couple differences we can address to narrow down answers:

1. the use of "increasingly" vs. "more"
2. the use of "increases" vs. "getting larger"

So the trick with this sentence is to decide which part gets to use the word "increase": the growing intensity of the problem or the change in size of the space. Since it makes more sense to use the word "increase" to show the growing size of the space, let's take out any answers that use a version of "increase" to describe the problem. This means we can rule out answers A & D.

Now that we're left with answers B, C, & D, let's check for one of the most common errors in GMAT sentence correction questions - parallel format. In this case, the parts in bold need to be parallel in format and style to the original verb "becomes." Let's see how they stack up:

(b) becomes / ever more critical as the size of the space  increases   (CORRECT = parallel format)  
(c) becomes / more and more critical as the size of the space  will increase   (WRONG = not parallel)  
(d) becomes / one that is increasingly critical  as there is an increase in the size  of the space  (WRONG = not parallel)

So, based on the more appropriate use of "more" instead of "increases," and based on the correct parallel format, it's clear that  B is the correct answer.

BigNasty · Answer

Hey,

IMO,

meaning of the sentence - Architectural problem becomes increasingly problematic with the increase in the size of the space.
'Size of the space' - This phrase will give us a 3-2 split. Size can increase or decrease. This eliminates 'A' and 'E'

a) size of the space gets larger -> usage of word 'larger' warrants for a comparison, which the sentence does not make.
b) Correct
c) size of the space will increase - awkward construction
d) as there is an increase - awkward
e) cannot associate larger with a size without making a comparison.

Hope this helps.

Saurajm · Answer

Yes, but in answer B the word larger disappears, therefore the use of more to make a parallel comparison is not necessary.... I still think IMO is A.

boomtangboy · Answer

Hi, Space cant get larger.... Space increases I hope this is more clear from the below definition (Citation : https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/larger?s=t) " large Show IPA adjective, larg·er, larg·est, noun, adverb adjective 1.of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.; exceeding that which is common to a kind or class; big; great: a large house; a large number; in large measure; to a large extent. 2.on a great scale: a large producer of kitchen equipment. 3.of great scope or range; extensive; broad. 4.grand or pompous: a man given to large, bombastic talk. 5.(of a map, model, etc.) representing the features of the original with features of its own that are relatively large so that great detail may be shown. " Hope this helps

rohitmanglik · Answer

Nice finding. Very difficult to get this difference in allotted time in exam :oops:

daagh can you please help with your take on this question as well.

TheRzS · Answer

Could and Expert please help to choose between A and B?

I chose B purely because - "it sounds better". What is the real grammatical reason?
I presume, something to do with Adverb/adjective, but cannot quite put my finger on it.

Help will be appreciated.

Regadrs

US09 · Answer

This is a good question that tests the logic behind greater/larger versus increases/decreases. When we compare two entities, then it makes sense to use larger/greater whereas when we compare and entity with itself over a period of time, we use increases/decreases. Hence, B.

aragonn · Answer

(a) increasingly critical as the size of the space gets larger --- I don't like this structure "as the size of the space gets larger" than what ?
(b) ever more critical as the size of the space increases ---- better construction 
(c) more and more critical as the size of the space will increase ---- we need present tense. future tense changed the meaning.
(d) one that is increasingly critical as there is an increase in the size of the space --- very awkward. 
(e) more critical with the size of the space getting larger --- not good at all.

vikas9945 · Answer

daagh  sir 
 GMATNinja

How to eliminate A and choose B

lakshya14 · Answer

I got the correct answer, but is "Will" in (C) a really a big issue? Because, will may maybe referring to something in the future, and not simultaneously as in the question.

headofthetable · Answer

The architectural problem of how to enclose and articulate interior space becomes  increasingly critical as the size of the space gets larger.

(a) increasingly critical as the size of the space gets larger -  'Larger' than what? Comparative words like taller,bigger,smaller etc. need to address what the subject is being compared to --- this happens with a follow up part : (taller) THAN XXXX 
(b) ever more critical as the size of the space increases -  Makes sense. 
(c) more and more critical as the size of the space will increase -  more and more? Wordy 
(d) one that is increasingly critical as there is an increase in the size of the space -  non sensical 
(e) more critical with the size of the space getting larger -  same as (a)

frankqxq · Answer

I feel (B) is only marginally better than (A). Larger in A doesn't necessarily need a comparison. For example when you say: when you grow older, you will know things better. Do you need a strict comparison for “older”? The comparison is implicit with how old you are now. Knowing “larger” is not a deal breaker, I went with gut feeling and chose B, since it doesn't really run into this "potential" critque

Pankaj0901 · Answer

If the same is applicable for other comparative words - "higher", "lower", "greater", "longer" - that require "than" for the logical comparison, just like "larger" or "smaller", can you please confirm whether the below sentences are correct?

The more air the balloon is filled in with, the higher it goes when released.  
 The more the snake eats, the longer it gets.

These sentences don't have "than", as they are not compared with another entity. But, the usage without "than" doesn't seem wrong. I am trying to understand if the usage of "larger" in Option A is wrong, or it is just that "increases" in option B is a better choice than A.

AndrewN  - Request you to please enlighten.

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

Pankaj0901

The usages that you provided are just fine. We don't need a comparison ("than X") if it's clear that something is just increasing.

Answer choice A would work just fine in daily conversation. However, the GMAT has been known to get very picky about how we describe and compare measurements. Technically, a space can become larger, but a SIZE cannot. Similarly, I can become taller or heavier, but my height can't become taller and my weight can't become heavier. Those are just numbers, not things. They can increase, but they themselves aren't tall or heavy. Picky, I know, but this shows up repeatedly:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-32-speci ... tml#p52702
https://gmatclub.com/forum/laos-has-a-l ... ml#p606513

Pankaj0901 · Answer

Thank you so much DmitryFarber ! Well explained.

Pankaj0901 · Answer

I just found an official SC question that uses "greater" without "than". This is a case where "greater" is acting as an adjective and no comparison is implied, as in the main question in this thread, and so there should not be any ambiguity. Can you please correct me if I am wrong? DmitryFarber
https://gmatclub.com/forum/more-and-mor ... 86568.html

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  Pankaj0901 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the phrase "greater economic development" carries an implied comparison against the current economic development.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

VerbalBot · Answer

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The architectural problem of how to enclose and articulate interior

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