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505-555 Level|   Parallelism|                           
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 09 Apr 2019, 07:21
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[quote="souvik101990"]
GMAT® Official Guide 2016

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 120
Page: 696
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger


between C & D , Parallelism problem

Not only Verb (is)....but also verb (Possesses)....
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 13 Feb 2020, 00:26
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still not able to understand why prefer D in place of C .both are following not only...but also idioms
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 13 Feb 2020, 08:13
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Hi Aman, C does not have any verb before but.

So, C is like:

Peter not only intelligent but also diligent.

The correct sentence will be:

Peter is not only intelligent but also diligent.
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 20 Apr 2020, 04:16
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Experts need help on one query :

Quote:
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger
Show more

In choice A, I have seen some post stating a modifier issue for A and B. However, according to my understanding this seems to be an inverted SV where the Jupiter still remains a subject. Therefore, the option should not be ruled out due to modifier issue because in option A & B the opening modifier is still modifying Jupiter only.

Please correct my understanding Expert GMATNinja and others
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 01 May 2020, 07:37
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abhishekpasricha
Experts need help on one query :

Quote:
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

In choice A, I have seen some post stating a modifier issue for A and B. However, according to my understanding this seems to be an inverted SV where the Jupiter still remains a subject. Therefore, the option should not be ruled out due to modifier issue because in option A & B the opening modifier is still modifying Jupiter only.

Please correct my understanding Expert GMATNinja and others
Show more
Interesting question! First, while (A) and (B) do have an inverted sentence structure, the modifier placement is still questionable. To see why, consider a simple example:

    "On the table was the burnt toast Tim made for his whiny children."

This is fine. Notice that we can flip the sentence around to make it more conventional, beginning with the subject: "The burnt toast Tim made... was on the table."

But now imagine that we tack an additional modifier describing the toast to the beginning of the sentence:

    "Smelling of sulfur and gasoline, on the table was the burnt toast Tim made..."

Is “the burnt toast” still the subject of the sentence? Sure. But because there’s a greater distance between modifier and the flammable meal being described, it’s more confusing. Definitively wrong in a vacuum? Maybe not. But certainly not as good as “Smelling of sulfur and gasoline, the burnt toast…”

Same deal in in this question: placing "Jupiter" immediately after the comma -- as in (C), (D), and (E) -- makes it much clearer that the opening modifier refers to "Jupiter".

That said, the modifier placement isn’t the only issue. The parallelism is another major concern in (A) and (B), where the two items in the not only/but also construction are (1) a verb-noun pair ("is Jupiter") and (2) a verb ("possesses"): "not only (1) is Jupiter... but also (2) possesses...". That doesn't make much sense.

On the other hand, in choice (D), we have a perfectly parallel list of verbs: "Jupiter not only (verb 1) is... but also (verb 2) possesses...".

So even if you aren't completely sold by the opening modifier issue, the parallelism issue seals the deal and makes (D) a much better choice than (A) or (B).
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 06 Jun 2020, 23:05
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EMPOWERgmatVerbal
Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and narrow it down to the right choice quickly! This is a pretty simple example, so it shouldn't take too long! To get started, let's take a quick look over the options and highlight any major differences we can find in orange:

The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger
(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

After a quick glance over the options, a few key differences jump out:

1. not only is Jupiter / Jupiter, not only / Jupiter not only is / Jupiter is not only (Idioms; Parallelism)
2. so / as (Idioms; Comparisons)
3. larger / largest (Idioms; Listing)

Let's start with #2 on our list because no matter which one we choose, it will eliminate 2-3 options right away. This is an issue with comparison idioms. Whenever we talk about things being much larger or smaller, here is how it should be formatted:

X is three times as massive as Y = CORRECT
X is three times so massive as Y = WRONG

Let's see how each option handles this, and eliminate the ones that use the wrong idiom structure:

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger
(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

We can eliminate options A & E because they don't use the right idiom structure for comparing mass or size.

If we look at #3 on our list (larger/largest), we see that all our remaining options use "largest," so we can skip worrying about that one. Let's move on to #1 on our list, which is another idiom issue. If we look carefully at the entire sentence, we can spot the idiom we're working with:

The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

not only X, but also Y

We know that X and Y must be parallel in their wording, tenses, and number. So let's add in the other half of the idiom (but also possesses) to rule out the ones that don't use parallel structure:

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but also possesses --> NOT PARALLEL
(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but also possesses --> NOT PARALLEL
(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but also possesses --> PARALLEL


There you have it - option D is the only one that uses idioms and parallel structure correctly! By focusing on the "either/or" problems early on, we could easily narrow down the options to find the right choice rather quickly!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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If Not only has a Clause, is it necessary to be in the inverted SV structure, i.e verb followed by subject?
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 06 Jun 2020, 23:14
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EMPOWERgmatVerbal
Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and narrow it down to the right choice quickly! This is a pretty simple example, so it shouldn't take too long! To get started, let's take a quick look over the options and highlight any major differences we can find in orange:

The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger
(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

After a quick glance over the options, a few key differences jump out:

1. not only is Jupiter / Jupiter, not only / Jupiter not only is / Jupiter is not only (Idioms; Parallelism)
2. so / as (Idioms; Comparisons)
3. larger / largest (Idioms; Listing)

Let's start with #2 on our list because no matter which one we choose, it will eliminate 2-3 options right away. This is an issue with comparison idioms. Whenever we talk about things being much larger or smaller, here is how it should be formatted:

X is three times as massive as Y = CORRECT
X is three times so massive as Y = WRONG

Let's see how each option handles this, and eliminate the ones that use the wrong idiom structure:

(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger
(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

We can eliminate options A & E because they don't use the right idiom structure for comparing mass or size.

If we look at #3 on our list (larger/largest), we see that all our remaining options use "largest," so we can skip worrying about that one. Let's move on to #1 on our list, which is another idiom issue. If we look carefully at the entire sentence, we can spot the idiom we're working with:

The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

not only X, but also Y

We know that X and Y must be parallel in their wording, tenses, and number. So let's add in the other half of the idiom (but also possesses) to rule out the ones that don't use parallel structure:

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but also possesses --> NOT PARALLEL
(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but also possesses --> NOT PARALLEL
(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but also possesses --> PARALLEL


There you have it - option D is the only one that uses idioms and parallel structure correctly! By focusing on the "either/or" problems early on, we could easily narrow down the options to find the right choice rather quickly!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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What is the structure when Not Only is followed by a clause? Is it necessary to have an inverted SV structure, for e.g. Not only does he play...or Not only he plays is also correct?
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 01 Jul 2020, 10:13
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Clearly A,B,E are out because of wrong modifier placement and incorrect Meaning. Between C & D C is wrong because there is no verb for the first clause. D is very well written with correct idiomatic usage "as much as"
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 02 Jul 2020, 06:55
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Got confused about the verb "is" in E
:D
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 21 Jan 2021, 02:26
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abhishekpasricha
Experts need help on one query :

Quote:
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest


In choice A, I have seen some post stating a modifier issue for A and B. However, according to my understanding this seems to be an inverted SV where the Jupiter still remains a subject. Therefore, the option should not be ruled out due to modifier issue because in option A & B the opening modifier is still modifying Jupiter only.

Please correct my understanding Expert GMATNinja and others
Interesting question! First, while (A) and (B) do have an inverted sentence structure, the modifier placement is still questionable. To see why, consider a simple example:

    "On the table was the burnt toast Tim made for his whiny children."

This is fine. Notice that we can flip the sentence around to make it more conventional, beginning with the subject: "The burnt toast Tim made... was on the table."

But now imagine that we tack an additional modifier describing the toast to the beginning of the sentence:

    "Smelling of sulfur and gasoline, on the table was the burnt toast Tim made..."

Is “the burnt toast” still the subject of the sentence? Sure. But because there’s a greater distance between modifier and the flammable meal being described, it’s more confusing. Definitively wrong in a vacuum? Maybe not. But certainly not as good as “Smelling of sulfur and gasoline, the burnt toast…”

Same deal in in this question: placing "Jupiter" immediately after the comma -- as in (C), (D), and (E) -- makes it much clearer that the opening modifier refers to "Jupiter".

That said, the modifier placement isn’t the only issue. The parallelism is another major concern in (A) and (B), where the two items in the not only/but also construction are (1) a verb-noun pair ("is Jupiter") and (2) a verb ("possesses"): "not only (1) is Jupiter... but also (2) possesses...". That doesn't make much sense.

On the other hand, in choice (D), we have a perfectly parallel list of verbs: "Jupiter not only (verb 1) is... but also (verb 2) possesses...".

So even if you aren't completely sold by the opening modifier issue, the parallelism issue seals the deal and makes (D) a much better choice than (A) or (B).
Show more
GMATNinja
Thanks for the nice explanation, especially for creative example.
Quote:
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
Show more
I've some query for these 3 options.
In B, what if the highlighted part (The largest of all the planets and the next largest) is removed from the sentence? Does it make sense?

In C, 'not only' part has been used as non-essential modifier, but 'but also' has been kept as essential modifier. So, we can remove choice C for this inconsistency?

in D, 'not only' part used 'linking verb', which does not mean any actual task, but in the 'but also' part, the verb (possess) does some kind of job. So, how they are parallel each other?
Example:
Mr. X not only is an engineer but also teaches in the high school.---> this one does not make sense to me!
^^ linking verb (is) VS action verb (teaches)
Mr. X not only is an engineer but also is a doctor.--> this one makes sense to me!
^^ linking verb (is) VS linking verb (is)...
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 09 Feb 2021, 00:05
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.


(A) not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger

(B) not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest

(C) Jupiter, not only three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
-missing main verb

(D) Jupiter not only is three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest
CORRECT

(E) Jupiter is not only three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 03 Feb 2022, 13:27
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

Hello dear experts!

Can you please explain my wrong answer B, that I chose while thought about Inversion structure of the adverb NOT ONLY.
If there hadn't been the noun modifier "THE LARGEST OF ALL THE PLANETS", would have it been correct to use Inversion structure with adverb NOT ONLY at the beginning of the sentence and choose "B" answer?

Thank YOU!!!
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 03 Feb 2022, 13:37
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katesizon
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

Hello dear experts!

Can you please explain my wrong answer B, that I chose while thought about Inversion structure of the adverb NOT ONLY.
If there hadn't been the noun modifier "THE LARGEST OF ALL THE PLANETS", would have it been correct to use Inversion structure with adverb NOT ONLY at the beginning of the sentence and choose "B" answer?

Thank YOU!!!
Show more
Hi katesizon.

The (B) version has another major issue. Notice that after "but also" is only the verb phrase "possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system."

In the (B) version, that verb phrase has no subject, because what would be the subject of that verb phrase, "Jupiter," follows, rather than precedes, "not only." Since "Jupiter" is part of what follows "not only," Jupiter is not understood to be part of what follows "but also."

In order for "possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system" to have a subject, "Jupiter" has to precede "not only," as it does in the correct, (D), version.
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 04 Feb 2022, 01:14
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katesizon

Can you please explain my wrong answer B, that I chose while thought about Inversion structure of the adverb NOT ONLY.
If there hadn't been the noun modifier "THE LARGEST OF ALL THE PLANETS", would have it been correct to use Inversion structure with adverb NOT ONLY at the beginning of the sentence and choose "B" answer?
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Generally, when "not only" is used at the beginning of a clause (as is the case in option B), the subject must be explicitly repeated in the adjoining clause.

For example:

Not only is Peter intelligent, he is also diligent.

Notice that the subject "he" is explicitly repeated in the clause "he is also diligent".

Similarly, B would be better if it were to be:

...not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, it also possesses four of the largest satellites...
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 14 Jun 2022, 05:42
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1. "not only...but also" is a Parallelism Marker.
in A and B, "not only is Jupitar...., but also posseses" Not only (verb + Noun), But also "verb" --> not parallel.
Eliminate A, B, C and E.

2. "as massive as" is Comparison Marker.

"so massive as" is incorrect idiom... eliminate A and E.

3. "the largest of all planets," .... Its an appositive modifier and should modify noun just after comma i.e. "Jupitar"

Eliminate Option A and B.
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 03 Sep 2022, 19:24
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katesizon
The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so massive as Saturn, the next larger planet, but also possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system.

Hello dear experts!

Can you please explain my wrong answer B, that I chose while thought about Inversion structure of the adverb NOT ONLY.
If there hadn't been the noun modifier "THE LARGEST OF ALL THE PLANETS", would have it been correct to use Inversion structure with adverb NOT ONLY at the beginning of the sentence and choose "B" answer?

Thank YOU!!!
Hi katesizon.

The (B) version has another major issue. Notice that after "but also" is only the verb phrase "possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system."

In the (B) version, that verb phrase has no subject, because what would be the subject of that verb phrase, "Jupiter," follows, rather than precedes, "not only." Since "Jupiter" is part of what follows "not only," Jupiter is not understood to be part of what follows "but also."

In order for "possesses four of the largest satellites, or moons, in our solar system" to have a subject, "Jupiter" has to precede "not only," as it does in the correct, (D), version.
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Hi Marty,

To make B properly parallel, would you need to add "Jupiter" after "but"?
"not only is Jupiter three times as massive as Saturn, the next largest planet, but JUPITER also possesses"

I am thinking that this is still incorrect because the "but also" should bed together and adding "Jupiter" interferes with that.

Thank you for your time.
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The largest of all the planets, not only is Jupiter three times so mas 22 Nov 2024, 05:53
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Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
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