The proposed simplification of the tax code would repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the deductibility of mortgage interest payments so that income tax rates could be reduced across the board.

It is not necessary to scratch one's head to go into whether 'would make' or 'will make' is correct. We can arrive at the solution even without considering that. Yet again, including here means 'such as' in order to give some examples. Therefore, we needn't pull the hair to decide what including modifies.

A. would repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the deductibility of mortgage interest payments so that income tax rates could be reduced -- This is the best choice using correct idiom and proper modal verb "could be"

B. will repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the deductibility of mortgage interest payments so that income tax rates can be reduced -- 'can be reduced' denotes a material capability and not a probability.

C. will repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, which includes the deductibility of mortgage interest payments so that income tax rates could be reduced ---'a number of' is plural. Its verb should be 'which include'.

D. would repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the deductibility of mortgage interest payments so as to reduce income tax rates--- 'so adjective as to verb' is the correct idiom.

E. would repeal and modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the deductibility of mortgage interest payments so that income tax rates could be reduced --- 'repeal and modify' is altered intent.

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Since it is talking about a proposal and not a certain outcome is ascertained, "would" is a better usage than "will".

A. No errors. Correct usage of "would" and "could".
B. No error per se, but "will" is to be used when the outcome is sure. So A is better.
C. "will" and "could" -> inconsistency.
D. "so as to" makes the construction awkward.
E. "repeal and modify" is not correct.

A is the "best" choice.

"Would" is used when we talk about future in the past. Here we are talking about future in present. Also we cannot say for sure whether the outcome is ascertained or not?
Any thoughts?
Do you still think would is more correct than will?


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When we talk about a hypothetical future from a past scenario, we use "would have".

And when the outcome is uncertain, we use "would". "Will" is used when something is sure. "Tomorrow the sun will rise from the east".

Here, "would" is applicable.

OA Please....

please insert the OA using spoiler along with the question..

The sentence talks about a proposed law so the use of "would" and "could" is better than "will" and "can". If the law is already enacted then the use of "will" and "can" is correct. Will and can are used when talking about something which is certain and "would" and "could" are used when something is still not certain. So going by this the correct option is A.

A:Correct. Proper use of would/could to indicate proposed law.
B:Wrong. Will/Can cannot be used here since the law is not yet passed
C:Wrong.Will/Could is incorrect,should be either would/could or will/can . Also "which" refers to breaks(plural) so we need "include" to go with which.
D:Wrong: There is nothing wrong in this sentence as such but I think A is much better. I think "so as to" make the sentence sound little awkward.
E:Wrong. You cannot repeal and then modify. It should be repeal or modify.

I saw OA as B,( question is from Aristotle SC guide. Q.No : 30)

But I wonder why A is wrong.

The question talks about a proposal which is already disclosed/proposed. So the question speaks about an action which is already over and the proposal talk about something in the future. It should take would is this respect not will.

Can anyone throw some more light into this??

Can anybody throw some light into this question...
why A is not the correct answer

A is correct. Please read MGMAT's response

http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/wil ... 13562.html

WILL vs Would

i am not sure but the word proposed here pushes my answer to be A ;
Will and can is correctly used and i cant think of a reason to say they are incorrect except the word proposed - so if something is proposed we are making an assumption here that its not finalized so A

Apart from Will and Would , I have one more question.

the modifier including the deductibility ...modifies the entire preceding sentence. So should not it make senses with the subject of the sentence ???
here it seems to modify the tax breaks ???

Hi vishalkumar4mba, including is not really a present participle, but a preposition. Hence, the usual rules of present participial phrases (such as modifying subject of the sentence etc.) do not apply to including.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana especially mentions "including" and its implications. Have attached the corresponding section of the book, for your reference.

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The main essence is :
A proposed statement is in past hence let it be in past, Lets not make it into future as in B.

So A is better than B. B changes meaning. .

jennpt generis chetan2u VeritasPrepBrian TommyWallach

please help me resolve my doubt
I feel that the usage of "Will" is correct here.
Reasoning : we are not contesting wether the proposal will do something... we are more concerned about WHAT WILL HAPPEN after the proposal is sanctioned... when we use "would" after proposal arent we still "predicting"What will happen??

i mean when we use "Would" arent we doubting the result of the proposal???

The proposed simplification of the tax code would repeal or modify a number of popular
tax breaks, including the deductibility of mortgage interest payments, so that income
tax rates could be reduced across the board.

A. would repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the
deductibility of mortgage interest payments, so that income tax rates could
be reduced
B. will repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the
deductibility of mortgage interest payments, so that income tax rates
can be reduced
C. will repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, which includes the
deductibility of mortgage interest payments, so that income tax rates could
be reduced
D. would repeal or modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the
deductibility of mortgage interest payments, so as to reduce income tax rates
E. would repeal and modify a number of popular tax breaks, including the
deductibility of mortgage interest payments, so that income tax rates could
be reduced

Explanation:
Official Answer (OA) --> B
Concepts Tested ??? Tense, SV Agreement, Diction
A - would is incorrect since the sentence is talking about the future in the present. (SC
Grail - pg. 133)
C -Plural -tax breaks- cannot use singular verb - includes- (SC Grail - pg. 44)
D - would- is incorrect since the sentence is talking about the future in the present. So as to cannot be used to replace "in order to" (SC Grail ??? pg. 114)
E - One cannot repeal -and- modify both.


However, https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-proposed ... 40030.html mentions "A" as the correct answer.
Can experts please shed some light on this?

GMATNinja daagh EducationAisle


Explanation:

Aristotle:

Official Answer (OA) – B
Concepts Tested – Tense, SV Agreement, Diction
A - ‗would‘ is incorrect since the sentence is talking about the future in the present. (SC
Grail – pg. 133)
C – Plural ‗tax breaks‘ cannot use singular verb ‗includes‘ (SC Grail – pg. 44)
D - ‗would‘ is incorrect since the sentence is talking about the future in the present. ‗So as
to‘ cannot be used to replace ‗in order to‘ (SC Grail – pg. 114)
E – One cannot repeal ‗and‘ modify both.


However, https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-proposed-simplification-of-the-tax-code-would-repeal-or-140030.html mentions Option A as the original answer. Can Experts please shed some light on this?

In my opinion "would" might be the correct verb form used here.

Here we are talking about the proposed tax code, something that has not yet happened and might, if passed as an act, modify or repeal tax breaks.

The above seems to be a typical hypothetical case in which the usage of "would" seems to be justified.

Rest I am open to corrections and better understanding.

Posted from my mobile device

Hello Nishantanand1992,

We hope this finds you well.

To provide some clarity, your reasoning, in this case, is perfectly correct.

Kudos.

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