The argument over who invented calculus by math historians typically f

Question

The argument over who invented calculus by math historians  typically features extensive discussion of the merits of Isaac Newton's and Gottfried Leibniz's mathematical achievements.

A .The argument over who invented calculus by math historians

B .Math historians argue over who invented calculus; this argument

C. Math historians' arguments over the invention of calculus
  
D. Who invented calculus by math historians is an argument that

E. Math historians argue over who invented calculus, yet this argument

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Noshad · Answer

The sentence is incorrect as written. The phrase “who invented calculus by math historians” suggests that historians invented calculus when, in fact, they merely debate aspects of its creation.
 so ,(A) is eliminated
 
B) is the correct answer

(C) can be eliminated because it introduces a subject-verb agreement error; “arguments” is a plural subject and should be matched with the verb “feature,” not “features.”

(D) should be eliminated because it contains the incorrect phrase “who invented calculus by math historians.”

(E) fixes the modifier error, but it introduces a new error by using the contrast word “yet” as a connector when the sentence does not contrast two ideas.

avikroy · Answer

GMATNinja  @Abhimahna..........Guys need your help in this question.......i still feel option A is better than OA

AjiteshArun · Answer

Let's focus on the word  by . When we say  the argument by X , we mean that X is the one presenting his or her line of thinking. For example:

The argument by the Prime Minister that a government bailout was the only way to save the bank was rejected by his own party members.

This means that the PM advocated a government bailout for the bank. Similarly, if we talk about an argument  by math historians , we introduce something that  all  math historians (as a group) agree on. However, the meaning of the sentence is that math historians are arguing among  themselves .

avikroy · Answer

Thank you @AjiteshArun..................meaning wise A doesnt score points....

lakshya14 · Answer

"this" is used as a pronoun. Isn't it wrong?

GMATNinja · Answer

Not quite. "This" precedes "argument" -- and "argument" is the noun, so "this" basically functions as an article (technically a determiner if you like grammar jargon). So there's no problem.

I hope that helps a bit!

hridaybector · Answer

In B
subject 'math historians' is plural which gets the plural verb 'argue' .
So when we use 'This' after semicolon shouldn't it refer to multiple arguments made by math historians over the same topic 'who invented calculus '?

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi

You are perfect in that the plural subject "math historians" necessitates the usage of the plural verb "argue". This means that the  action  of arguing performed by the math historians must be expressed in plural form, since there are more than one historians performing the said action. It does not mean that the noun reference of the verb should also be in plural form. It could well be that several historians are having the  same argument  repeatedly. In this case, the argument itself is a singular noun.

This is the form adopted by the second half of the sentence. There is nothing wrong with this usage.

Hope this helps.

anshulvnd5 · Answer

Altough , in the above threads reason for why Option A is wrong is explained .
But isn't their any simple reasoning associated for eliminating A.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The argument over who invented calculus by math historians typically f

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The argument over who invented calculus by math historians typically f

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