To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of

Question

Project SC Butler: Day 49 Sentence Correction (SC1) 
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To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of experiments conducted in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze a large number of experiments in the next few years.

A) in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze

B) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a field newer than others, researchers have to analyze

C) these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze

D) in initiated DNA alteration, a field relatively newer than these days, researchers will have to analyze

E) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field, researchers have to analyze

The  best or excellent answers get kudos , which will be  awarded  after   the answer is revealed.

generis · Accepted Answer

Project SC Butler: Day 49 Sentence Correction (SC1)

To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of experiments conducted in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze a large number of experiments in the next few years.

A) in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze
B) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a field newer than others, researchers have to analyze
C) these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze
D) in initiated DNA alteration, a field relatively newer than these days, researchers will have to analyze
E) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field, researchers have to analyze

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION   
See the footnote** for the explanation from the source.

This question is about verb tense, the logic of causation, modifiers, and cutting through the fluff to get to the core of the sentence.

Although the words IF and THEN do not appear in the sentence, this statement is a conditional.

The statement is about cause and effect.

To achieve = in order to achieve = wanting a particular result
In this context, results do not come immediately. 
Results  will  be achieved later. Scientists  will  conduct experiments and  will  analyze the experiments.

IF scientists want to achieve ABC, THEN . . .

• Strip the sentence.

To achieve    statistical confidence in the results of  experiments conducted in initiated DNA alteration     ,   a relatively new field these days ,  researchers have to analyze   a large number of experiments in the   (Xs )   next few years .

To achieve statistical confidence in the results of X, researchers   many Xs in the next few years.

People learn conditionals in many ways.  This site  and  its explanation of conditionals and tenses is among the best I have found. The linked material is excellent.

Issue: is this sentence supposed to be a zero conditional (general truth), or a Type 1 conditional (predictive, probable result)?

Zero conditional? A general truth. 
IF this thing happens (present tense), then that thing happens (present tense).

Type 1 conditional? A possible condition and its probable result.

If this thing happens (present tense), then that thing will happen (simple future tense).

• a zero conditional is used to express general facts or truths. If X, then Y is always true. If a chemist mixes ammonia and chlorine, she produces toxic gas.

-- The IF clause is in present tense. The MAIN clause (result) is also in present tense.

-- Zero conditionals often use the words  if  and  then , but there really is no doubt about outcome.
--  If it rains, the pavement will get wet. 
-- The time frame is now and always
-- IF this thing happens, then that thing happens.

• Type 1 conditionals*  
-- express a possible condition and its probable result 
-- IF clause is in present tense; MAIN clause is in future tense
-- time frame: present or future
-- situation? Not hypothetical. Real. But the outcome is not certain. The outcome is a  probable  or likely result.
-- IF this thing happens, then that thing  will  happen

(see the linked site for other kinds of conditionals)

The biggest clue that we need to use FUTURE tense 
(i.e., that this statement is a Type 1 conditional) comes from the phrase " in the next few years. "

There will be a few years between now (condition) and the time that the desired result might arrive (probable result).

We need FUTURE tense for this RESULT. Scientists want statistical confidence. They do not possess that confidence now. Scientists who wish (now, present tense) to achieve something will require time because they  will  have to analyze experiments over time.

Answers A, B, and E are traps.

All three use the simple present tense verb "have."

• In spoken English, it is very common for people not to use the future tense 
for situations such as this one in which the future tense is required.

Wrong:  Based on my experience, if you want to get to Los Angeles by tomorrow night and you leave tomorrow morning, given likely Friday traffic, you need to travel at an average of at least 60 miles per hour.
No. "You" is not traveling today. The speaker cannot guarantee that his prediction is correct. 
 Correct:  Based on my experience, if you want to get to Los Angeles by tomorrow night and you leave tomorrow morning, given likely Friday traffic, you WILL need to travel at an average of at least 60 miles per hour.
The speaker cannot be sure.

• If the only difference between two answers is the placement of a phrase such as "these days," 
look for a different split. 
Some short phrases or single words will make a huge difference.
The placement of a phrase that means "at present" or "now" is not such a phrase.

• Tip: the moment you see reference to measures of time—
minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries—
be prepared for verbs to be tested.
I kept wondering why "these days" was included, because 
I nearly forgot to read the end of the sentence, "in the next few years."

Eliminate A, B, and E. This conditional is a Type 1 and needs the future tense "will have to"

• (D) has a comparison error. 
How can  a field  be relatively  newer  than  these days ?
Nonsense. Eliminate D.

(C) is correct.

GKomoku  , you are off to a good start!
I liked that you and  sm86  stated the meaning of the sentence:

--  in order to achieve some statistical confidence researchers have to analyze something. 
--  To achieve confidence in X, researchers will have to Y.

COMMENTS

First, welcome  GKomoku ,  Yash312  and and  sm86  - glad to have you posting here

I posted this question yesterday, on Christmas Day.

I think it is fitting that all three posters have a correct answer. Kudos to all.

* "These sentences   are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular situations." From the linked source in the post.

** Official explanation from the source 
My annotations are in  blue typeface .

• If the experiments are conducted now and the analysis will happen in the future, we are looking for a conditional:  not   have to analyze , but  will have     .
Eliminate Answers A, B, and E

• D makes a wrong comparison:   field newer than these days

• Answer C is logical and is the correct answer
A hypothetical conditional does not always use the word "if."
In cases that involve cause and effect, we should look for the correct  verb  structure.

GKomoku · Answer

I've just started my GMAT preparation form SC.
So I've tried my best to analyze this question, please correct me if I am wrong somewhere.
Hope for GMATClub support.

To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of experiments conducted in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze a large number of experiments in the next few years.

Meaning analysis: 
Sentence try to comunicate that in oderer to achieve some statistical confidence researchers have to analyze something.

Error analysis: 
1.  "to achieve"  first clause must be followed by doer of this action. 
2.  "a relatively new field these days"  wrong modifier placement, seems that new filed has to do something to achive statistical confidence
3.  these days  illogically modifiyes new field

A) in initiated DNA alteration,   a relatively new field these days  , researchers have to analyze
(eliminated as per error analysis)

B) these days in initiated DNA alteration,   a field newer than others  , researchers have to analyze

C)  these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze

D) in initiated DNA alteration,   a field relatively newer than these days  , researchers will have to analyze

E) these days in initiated DNA alteration,   a relatively new field  , researchers have to analyze

So I think answer choice C is correct one.

yash312 · Answer

A) in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze---Wrong, future tense to be used to repsresent future aspect

B) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a field newer than others, researchers have to analyze---  wrong, changes meaning ,

C) these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze-- correct

D) in initiated DNA alteration, a field relatively newer than these days, researchers will have to analyze-- Wrong comparison, changes meaning

E) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field, researchers have to analyze-- -changes meaning, wrong

IMO C

sm86 · Answer

To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of experiments conducted in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze a large number of experiments in the next few years.

Meaning Analysis: To achieve confidence in X, researchers have to Y.

A) in initiated DNA alteration,  a relatively new field these days , researchers have to analyze
Since the first sentence is a modifier, it expects doer of "To achieve"

B) these days in initiated DNA alteration,  a field newer than others , researchers have to analyze
Same error as the first sentence.

C) these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze

D) in initiated DNA alteration,  a field relatively newer than these days , researchers will have to analyze
Same error as A

E) these days in initiated DNA alteration,  a relatively new field , researchers have to analyze
Future tense required for last statement.

pk123 · Answer

Thanks Generis for the explanation, it was really helpful.

However just have a doubt, would you mind clarifying the same

Lets change all the options from have to will have
X) in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers will have to analyze
"a relatively new field these days" modifies DNA alteration

Y) these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze
changes the meaning to new field of DNA alteration (DNA alteration a old subject but there is a new field in that)

Z) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field, researchers will have to analyze
 changes the meaning to experiments thesedays but researchers will have to (something in future)...

Which one out of X,Y, Z will you select?

apovit · Answer

what if the option C "will" is replaced with "would". It will still present a conditional right. Will it be correct?

generis

Vardhika · Answer

Doesn’t C alter the sentence? Stating “relatively new field of initiated DNA” rather that stating “initiating DNA-relatively new field”.
Does it not change the meaning to some new field of the earlier subject .

Posted from my mobile device

generis · Answer

Vardhika , welcome to GMAT Club.

I am not sure that I understand your question. The short answer to what I sort of understand is: (1) It doesn't matter whether (C) changes the meaning of (A). Option A does not determine intended meaning. Option (C) makes complete sense. Are you asking whether (C) differs from (A) because you think that option A determines meaning? If so, I believe that what you have been taught is mistaken. Option A does not determine intended meaning. I realize that this statement is contrary to what some people are taught. The three experts below collectively possess more than forty years' of experience teaching the GMAT. They, too, say that there is nothing special about option A. GMATNinja , HERE, Dmitry Farber, here, and Ron Purewal , HERE. Very frequently we can figure out meaning from the non-underlined portion of the prompt. Option A is the underlined portion and we associate it with the prompt, a fact that may make it seem as though option A determines meaning. Option A may happen to fit grammatically and rhetorically 20% of the time, but that fact does not mean that option A is the originally intended meaning. We can use all five options to determine meaning, if need be. (2) Do options A and C mean something different? No. Options C and A mean the same thing. I cannot understand the difference that you see. I am changing the irritating name "initiated DNA alteration" to IDNA. Option A: experiments are conducted in IDNA, a relatively new field. Experiments are conducted in IDNA. IDNA is a new field. Option C: experiments are conducted in OF IDNA. Even simpler: Experiments are conducted in IDNA. IDNA is a new field. Are you arguing that C makes the "new field" adjective essential whereas (A) sets off the "new field" information in an appositive phrase that is also a reduced relative clause, thus making "new field" nonessential? You're right. And option C is still the best of five answers. If I am missing something, let me know. I hope that helps.

Prateek101 · Answer

To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of experiments conducted in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze a large number of experiments in the next few years.

A) in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field these days, researchers have to analyze => "a relatively ..." seems to be modifying both DNA alteration and researchers plus how can a research be conducted "in" DNA alteration; Research can be conducted in the field of DNA alteration but not directly in DNA alteration (X)
B) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a field newer than others, researchers have to analyse => "a field..." seems to modify two nouns plus change in the intended meaning due to the use of definite comparison newer than others; intended meaning is "relatively new not definitely newer than others" (X)
C) these days in the relatively new field of initiated DNA alteration, researchers will have to analyze => fixes all the issues as mentioned above - CORRECT
D) in initiated DNA alteration, a field relatively newer than these days, researchers will have to analyze => Same reason as second part of A (X)
E) these days in initiated DNA alteration, a relatively new field, researchers have to analyze => most attractive choice amongst all the options, if one misses to see the "a relatively..." can possibly modify two nouns there is a high probability one might go ahead with this option. (X)

VerbalBot · Answer

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To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

To achieve reasonable statistical confidence in the results of

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