The pigments used in modern oil paints are different than

Question

The pigments used in modern oil paints  are different than the ones used in older paints because they are  more lightfast and vibrant.

A. are different than the ones used in older paints because they are
 B. differ from those used in older paints in that the modern ones are
 C. are different than those used in older paints because the modern ones are
 D. are different from the ones used in older paints on account of being
 E. differ from the ones used in older paints because they are

I understand why the answer is right, but one part in the explanation made me say "what?" English is my second language. Please, please explain...

The purpose of this sentence is to contrast pigments used in modern oil paints with the pigments used in older paints. The original sentence uses the wordy expression “are different than,” but the idiomatic expression is “are different from,” and the more concise “differ from” would be even better.  In addition, the statement “…X are different than Y because…” is misleading due to the use of “because”: it implies that because the pigments used in modern oil paints are more lightfast and vibrant, they are different (in some unspecified way) from the pigments used in older paints. However, the intended meaning is that the pigments differ “in that” one is more lightfast and vibrant.  Secondly, "the ones" can be replaced with the more concise "those." Finally, the antecedent of the plural pronoun “they” is ambiguous: "they" could refer to the older pigments or to the modern pigments.

nusmavrik · Answer

I know this is little tough. When comparing a with b, if you see "those or that" then pick that choice which contain these words. You already got one hint i.e. The split different from / different than B, D and E left Second split is between those / ones. Leave "ones" and you have the answer. B it is. :wink:

metallicafan · Answer

+1 B

- different/differ from
- Eliminates the ambiguity in the pronouns

gmatpapa · Answer

Although "different from" is a correct idiom, I think don't think "differ from" is. "differ with" is a correct idiom IMO.

Can someone please clarify?

souvik101990 · Answer

The pigments used in modern oil paints  are different than the ones used in older paints because they are  more lightfast and vibrant.

• are different than the ones used in older paints because they are
• differ from those used in older paints in that the modern ones are
• are different than those used in older paints because the modern ones are
• are different from the ones used in older paints on account of being
• differ from the ones used in older paints because they are

OA: 24 hours

WoundedTiger · Answer

Correct Idiom: Differ from or Different from...
Option A and C ruled out.

Also, They in original sentence is ambiguous..as "they" can refer to Older paints or Modern oil paints...So option E is out.

Down to B and D .....Usage of account of Being is awkward.

Ans B

tushain · Answer

I think all are ambiguous except D, though it is awkward.
Answer D

"they" refer to what? modern or older, paints or pigments?
"modern ones" refer to what ? paints or pigments?

sunfl · Answer

I think that "modern ones" refers to pigments, because "pigments" is the subject.
So, Answer is B.

tushain · Answer

sunfl Though you were right in that "the modern ones" refers to pigments, however, the pigments need not be modern. And thus the meaning may change. https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/the ... 3314db4922

Harley1980 · Answer

Hello  Swaroopdev

Here is excerpt from Manhattan SC:
"Note: The form DIFFERENT THAN does not appear in the 10th, 11th, or 12th Editions of the Official Guide. According to other style guides, you should use DIFFERENT FROM, rather than DIFFERENT THAN, when you are comparing nouns."

sallysea · Answer

Merged topics. Please, search before posting questions!

daagh · Answer

The pigments used in modern oil paints are different than the ones used in older paints because they are more lightfast and vibrant.

. are are different than the ones used in older paints because they are
• differ from those used in older paints in that the modern ones are
• are different than those used in older paints because the modern ones are
• are different from the ones used in older paints on account of being
• differ from the ones used in older paints because they are

Considering that 'different from' is the more accepted idiom used for comparing nouns, we can safely eliminate A and C. 
 In this topic in D, however, 'different from' is not useful because of the superfluous ' on account of being'. 
Between B and E that both use the direct verb 'differ from', E brings out an unintended cause and effect, while B expounds a synchronized incidental phenomenon, which is the real intent. Meaning-wise, B outwits E.

gmatdeal77 · Answer

i found it difficult to chose between B and E until i noticed the use of "they" in E as ambiguous.

Thus, am convinced why B should be the best option.

anairamitch1804 · Answer

OE :

The purpose of this sentence is to contrast pigments used in modern oil paints with the
pigments used in older paints. The original sentence uses the wordy expression “are different
than,” but the idiomatic expression is “are different from,” and the more concise “differ from”
would be even better. In addition, the statement “…X are different than Y because…” is
misleading due to the use of “because”: it implies that because the pigments used in modern
oil paints are more lightfast and vibrant, they are different (in some unspecified way) from the
pigments used in older paints. However, the intended meaning is that the pigments differ “in
that” one is more lightfast and vibrant. Secondly, "the ones" can be replaced with the more
concise "those." Finally, the antecedent of the plural pronoun “they” is ambiguous: "they"
could refer to the older pigments or to the modern pigments.
USE of “IN THAT”

(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.

(B) CORRECT. To make the comparison, the concise and accurate “X differ from Y in that…”
construction is used. The concise “those” is used instead of “the ones.” The pronoun ambiguity
in the original sentence has been eliminated by using “the modern ones” instead of “they.”

(C) This choice uses the wordy expression “are different than,” but the idiomatic expression is
“are different from,” and the more concise “differ from” would be even better. In addition, the
statement “…X are different than Y because…” is misleading due to the use of “because”: it
implies that because the pigments used in modern oil paints are more lightfast and vibrant,
they are different (in some unspecified way) from the pigments used in older paints. However,
the intended meaning is that the pigments differ “in that” one is more lightfast and vibrant.

(D) This choice uses the wordy and awkward “X are different from Y…on account of being Z”
to explain why the pigments are different. In general, the use of “being” on the GMAT is
incorrect, because there is typically a more economical way of phrasing the same thing. Here,
the concise construction “X differ from Y…in that…” would be preferred.

(E) The statement “…X differ from Y because…” is misleading due to the use of “because”: it
implies that because the pigments used in modern oil paints are more lightfast and vibrant,
they differ (in some unspecified way) from the pigments used in older paints. However, the
intended meaning is that the pigments differ “in that” one is more lightfast and vibrant.
Secondly, "the ones" can be replaced with the more concise "those." Finally, the antecedent of
the plural pronoun “they” is ambiguous: "they" could refer to the older pigments or to the
modern pigments.

NikGujju · Answer

Correct choice is B - comparison- make it more concise by using “X differ from Y in that…”. The concise “those” is used instead of “the ones.” The pronoun ambiguity in the original sentence has been eliminated by using “the modern ones” instead of “they.”

Apurv14 · Answer

Why ARE is not used for pigments and Different from is the correct idiom. why we opted B as correct.

kakakakaak · Answer

is b even a clause as it is missin a verb for subect.....please guide me here

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

The main verb in the (B) version is "differ."

So, the main clause is essentially the following:

The pigments ... differ from those used in the past ....

VerbalBot · Answer

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The pigments used in modern oil paints are different than

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The pigments used in modern oil paints are different than

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