Taulark1 wrote:
egmat, is there any article/ blog which i can read to solidify my understanding of the usage of 'with' ? I've seen another question where the usage of 'with' is correct so its confusing a lot of times. for example this question -
https://gmatclub.com/forum/og-2016-with-corn-soybean-and-wheat-reserves-204264.html?fl=notifications#p3109714now i understand that 'with' is used to modify a noun or a clause.
But where i get confused is when 'with' is used with comma like a modifier present before or end of the main clause.
For example the in the link above, 'comma+with' describes a situation
Similary in the following question, is the usage of 'with' in options D/E correct because they are describing a situation?
https://gmatclub.com/forum/because-the-collagen-fibers-in-skin-line-up-in-the-direction-of-207796.htmlRequest you to please shed some light, or share any blog/article/link if possible!
Thanks in advance
Hey
Taulark1Happy to help you with this interesting question. Here is all the information you need on the "with" preposition!
A "with-phrase" (a prepositional phrase) can modify an action, a noun, or even a clause. What it modifies depends on the context of the sentence and the wording of the modifier itself. For a basic overview, please go through all the meanings and their respective examples
here.
Now that we have a basic understanding of "with", let's take a look at its usage in the context of GMAT SC.
Official Example 1: Click
here to first solve the question.
The following sentence gives us a scenario in which the "with-phrase" modifies the preceding noun.
Bihar is India's poorest state, with an annual per capita income of $111, lower than that of the most impoverished countries of the world.
In the above sentence, the "with-phrase" modifies the preceding noun "India's poorest state" (Bihar). The "with-phrase" in this sentence conveys the following meaning: which has an annual per capita income of $111. Notice how "with" conveys the same meaning as "which has".
Official Example 2: Click
here to first solve this official GMAT Prep question.
The following sentence gives us a scenario in which the "with-phrase" modifies the preceding verb-ing modifier. You can find the detailed solution of this question at this link.
Visitors to the park have often looked up into the leafy canopy and seen monkeys sleeping on the branches, with arms and legs hanging like socks on a clothesline.
The highlighted "with-phrase" above modifies the preceding verb-ing modifier "sleeping". The "with-phrase" explains how these monkeys do the action of sleeping on the branches. They hang their arms and legs from the branches like socks on a clothesline.
Official Example 3: Click
here to first solve this official question.
Starfish, with anywhere from five to eight arms, have a strong regenerative ability, and if one arm is lost it is quickly replaced, with the animal sometimes overcompensating and growing an extra one or two.
In this official sentence, the first "with-phrase" modifies the preceding noun "Starfish" because the modifier presents additional information/physical description of the animal.
The second "with-phrase" relates the two facts: the replacement of a lost arm and the overcompensation and growing of a extra arm or two. In the action of replacing the lost arm, the animal sometimes overcompensates and grows an extra arm. So the second "with-phrase" adds on to the replacement of the lost arm by explaining what happens sometimes during the process.
This usage of "with" has been explained in meaning #8 on the Oxford Dictionary Page shared at the start of this response.
Official Example 4: Click
here to first solve the official question.
With corn, soybean, and wheat reserves so low that a poor harvest would send prices skyrocketing, grain futures brokers and their clients are especially interested in weather that could affect crops.
Here as well, the "with-phrase" relates two facts: the extremely low reserves and brokers' and clients' interest in adverse weather conditions. This is yet another example of meaning #8 on the Oxford Dictionary Page shared at the start of this response.
Official Example 5: Click
here to first solve this official question.
The honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed and stays where it is inserted, with the result that the act of stinging causes the bee to sustain a fatal injury.
In the above sentence, the "with-phrase" appears to indicate the result or consequence of another event. However, the truth here is that "with the result that" is an idiom which means "causing as an outcome or result". Reference.
Example 6:Finally, a "with-phrase" can also be used to introduced a contrasting fact.
With all her I faults, I still love her.
Here, "with" means "despite". I haven't found an official question with this usage yet, but I'm pretty certain this is correct usage.
Takeaway: Since "with-phrases" are versatile, we must rely on understanding the meaning of the sentence and ensure that it fits into one of these roles properly.
Coming to your second question on this official question:
D: With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer’s lines sever less fibers and is less likely to leave an unsightly scar.
Yes, the usage of a "with-phrase" to indicate the reason for the idea in the main clause is correct. However, choice D has worse errors.
a. The use of "lining" changes this modifier from a fact about skin cells to something that's currently happening by virtue of the verb-ing modifier "lining".
b. We need the modifier "fewer" for the countable noun "fibers".
c. The final verb "is" does not agree with the plural subject "cuts".
Choice E has similar errors. This is why both D and E get eliminated with ease.
I hope this helps improve your understanding.
Happy Learning!
Abhishek
close
14 Nov 2022, 06:53
