Once the computer generates the financial reports, they are

Question

Once the computer generates the financial reports, they are then used to program a company-wide balance sheet, so named because it demonstrates that every department’s accounting elements are in balance.

A. Once the computer generates the financial reports, they are then used to program a company-wide balance sheet, so named because it demonstrates that every department’s accounting elements balance.

B. Once the computer generates the financial reports, it is then used to program a company-wide balance sheet, named such because it demonstrated the balance of every department’s accounting elements.

C. Once the computer generates the financial reports they are then used to program a company-wide balance sheet, which demonstrates the balance of every department’s accounting elements.

D. Once the financial reports are generated by the computer, it is then used to program a company-wide balance sheet, so named because it demonstrates the balance of every department’s accounting elements.

E. Once the financial reports are generated by the computer, they are then used to program a company-wide balance sheet, named such because it demonstrates that every department’s accounting elements are in balance.

KarishmaB · Accepted Answer

Responding to a pm:

Note that (A), (C) and (E) are wrong in their usage of 'they'. 
'financial reports' cannot program a balance sheet and hence the pronoun used must refer back to the computer. Hence, we need to use 'it'. 
In (B) and (D), we use 'it' (singular) which refers back to the computer (singular). It cannot refer back to financial reports (plural) and hence there is no ambiguity in pronoun-antecedent connection.

The problem with (B) is 'named such...'. The correct construct is 'so named ...'
We do prefer active over passive but that has no role to play here. Sentences in passive are not incorrect. It is just a preference we have for active because it is stronger. If there is an error in the sentence that uses active voice and the sentence using passive voice is error-free, you must choose the sentence using passive voice.

akhil911 · Answer

VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

The correct response is (D). This choice correctly uses the singular pronoun “it” to replace the noun “computer.” The construction is passive, but it avoids the grammatical and meaning issues in the other choices.

If you chose (A), this question hinges on meaning. The verb “program” tells us that it is the computer not the financial reports that are generating the balance sheet. A balance sheet cannot logically “program” something on its own.

If you chose (B), “named such” is an awkward construction, and the verb “demonstrated” is needlessly past-tense.

If you chose (C), “they” does not agree with its antecedent, “computer.” Pronouns must agree in number and plurality with the nouns they replace.

If you chose (E), “they” cannot refer to the singular “computer,” and it’s not logical that a financial report can “program.” It should be clear that the computer is doing the programming. Furthermore, “named such” is a somewhat awkward construction.

PiyushK · Answer

I have a doubt.
 D. Once the financial reports are generated by the computer, it is then used to program a company-wide balance sheet

In option D, both parts of main clause and subordinate clause are in passive voice, but subjects are not comparable.
As per my observation, subjects in subordinate clause and main clause must be comparable.

If sentence had been written as following it would have been much better.

Once the computer is used to generate financial reports, it is then used to program a company-wide balance sheet.

I am not 100% sure that construction as in D is acceptable in official answers. Kindly help understand whether gmat is strict with comparable subject rule.

WoundedTiger · Answer

I chose D because it was the best among the not so good answer choices...could you elaborate a bit more on what the rule is for main clause and sub ordinate clause...is it from MGMAT sc book??

PiyushK · Answer

Hi refer following questions : mgmat: rather-than-accept-the-conventional-wisdom-that-the-earth-54231.html OG 11 Q86: although-early-soap-operas-were-first-aired-on-evening-radio-19819.html In these questions voice parallelism is the main reason that makes one choice acceptable to others. In MGMAT SC chapter 7, Page 116, it is mentioned not to worry about active passive parallelism through out a sentence, but provided example describes 2 ICs connected with coordinating conjunction. Thus, for ICs connected with CC I can confirm not to worry about active passive parallelism, but it is required for sentence connected with subordinate conjunction. I am not a native and so I am not 100% sure how far we can stretch this rule. Sometimes back I asked Mike to help on this, but I forgot to followup further: refer following thread. I will PM him to explain this concept and exceptions on following thread. inertia-gravity-waves-cause-characteristic-stripy-patterns-167234.html

KarishmaB · Answer

Often, subject of subordinate clause is the same as the subject of the main clause, but that is only because both usually talk about the same person/thing. It is not necessary for the two subjects to be the same. Check simple sentences:
I will go shopping unless it rains. 
Don't leave before he comes.

The subjects are not the same but the sentences are correct.

Your sentence is better but that is the thing about SC - you will not always get what you want. If the answer is very obvious, then what will make it a difficult question? At higher levels, GMAT could play with correct but infrequently used structures and false beliefs of people such as 'passive voice is always wrong'.

Game · Answer

I got the split between "they" and "it" wrong and so I eliminated options with "it"

My logic was that "financial reports" can be used to program a balance sheet. I did not want to change the original intent of the sentence and pick an option that states that "computer is used to program a company-wide balance sheet".'' I am assuming that below statement is correct Financial reports are used to program a company-wide balance sheet. I know I am wrong and the OA does not have "they" in the sentence. If someone can help me understand why my logic in the above highlighted section is incorrect, it would help me avoid using such faulty logic in other sentences

KarishmaB · Answer

Note that "financial reports" cannot program (a verb) a balance sheet. They can be used by a computer while it is programming a balance sheet. 
Hence, "financial reports" cannot be used to program a balance sheet.

These are accuracy in meaning errors. Harder to catch but tested a lot in GMAT nowadays.

Ekland · Answer

It's only in verbal section that I get pissed off.
I read wrong explanation for the correct answer.
Financial report is generated and CAN BE USED to program balance sheet. Bringing extraneous meaning to disprove the grammar is really funny.
So named is right. Named Such is wrong.
I don't know why nobody pointed that out.
I've quickly noticed that SC tests your grammar more than it tests anything else.
If you doubted that financial reports are used to programme balance sheet, then why would you believe that the computer is used?
Actually it is Programming Language that is used to programme things not the computer. or you can try to use your PC to programme without BASIC or C++ or ORACLE. Now that's wrong again. it is the programmer that programmes not the Language.
MY POINT: Look at the grammar rules not the critical reasoning. SC is a quite diff from CR. "Named such" ruled E out.
Would be hard to find such a clumsy statement as the correct answer in GMAT SC.
When it gets tough, start eliminating.
Thank you guys.
The answer is D.

daagh · Answer

Nej
Hi
I appreciate your point of view although I may have to differ from you. You seem to imply that Veritas is wrong in its interpretation that computer generates the reports saying that it is the programmer who does the job. Absolutely no issue about it.

But to say that In SC, we can relegate meaning behind grammar is untenable. Because you see, the meaning analysis is a recent insertion in SC before which probably GMAT was content with just grammar. Then why has GMAT brought this meaning factor into the picture and lately been giving equal weight or even more, to meaning? GMAT has made it clear that between two choices that may be grammatically correct, it is the ‘better – meaning’ one that wins the context. So you can see why meaning is indispensable and not subordinate to grammar in GMAT.

SC is not just mechanical but reasoning too IMO. In a similar argument, can we dispense with the reasoning in RC, because RC is about Comprehension? 
The point of GMAT is not to look at things in disparate modules but take an integrated outlook.

This is just my philosophy although it is no reflection on your thesis. I do appreciate your point of view nevertheless, I repeat.

Ekland · Answer

Here u go again. I did not say we can relegate meaning over grammar. I said "SC tests your grammar more than it tests anything else".
You are disproving your "perception" not what I said. read my leaps.
Sentence correction primarily remains SC. "Oh mountain! come to the rivers" remains more correct than "Mr John come Oh! to me".

But the right one is meaningless.
Though meaningful in the context of the lexis n grammar.

A"I did say such cos such matters that I say such"
or
B " I did say that and it matters"

The first has more meaning but redundant and heavy.
the second has less meaning.
which is your answer in a GMAT SC?

my point: meaning is important and less confusing statements matter.
But which is the big guy in SC?
your confusion or the grammar?

Ekland · Answer

Here u go again. I did not say we can relegate meaning over grammar. I said "SC tests your grammar more than it tests anything else".
You are disproving your "perception" not what I said. read my lips.
Sentence correction primarily remains SC. "Oh mountain! come to the rivers" remains more correct than "Mr John come Oh! to me".

But the right one is meaningless.
Though meaningful in the context of the lexis n grammar.

A"I did say such cos such matters that I say such"
or
B " I did say that and it matters"

The first has more meaning but redundant and heavy.
the second has less meaning.
which is your answer in a GMAT SC?

my point: meaning is important and less confusing statements matter.
But which is the big guy in SC?
your confusion or the grammar?

daagh · Answer

Mr. Nez, 
If you thought so, be that as it may. But your confirmation that D is the correct answer in spite of it being the wrong meaning points to your altered intention. In any case, why did you have to repeat your last message twice? Are you confused?

Ekland · Answer

You presume a knowledge of the author's knowledge.
How do you know which has the wrong meaning?
*laughing*
in your question.
certainly I'm not. But I would have asked same of me if I were you. you threw the coin back to me:
believe me it's a good thing to do sometimes.
ensures some balance.
The repetition anyway suggests confusion really.
But if you look deeper you are certain to find there was a correction in the post.
I thought you are great critical thinker. sorry, I mean to say "I'm sure" not "think".
In veritas: I cannot say they are wrong. no way. they probably have insider in GMAC or Pearson. who knows.
But if you follow strict GMAT grammar lexis rules you'd be an SC assassin. but that's the hardest part really. 
we try to boycott it with presumptuous understanding of the author's intention. but sometimes, it fails.. though it seems easier to do. 
P.S. I haven't implied anyone is wrong pls. in fact sir you are more right than me.

daagh · Answer

OK; Cool; I understand; I appreciate you thinking.

sunny91 · Answer

Hi Karishma,
in choice D, we have two it. One that refers to the compute and the other one to balance sheet. So,don't u think usage of it is ambiguous here. Kindly help

KarishmaB · Answer

Please check this post: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2014/1 ... -sc-myths/ It gives a detailed explanation of the point raised using this very question.

Prateek176 · Answer

VeritasKarishma

Following is an excerpt from Manhattan SC Chapter pronouns

In theory, every pronoun in a well-written sentence should clearly refer to one antecedent. In particular, 
every it and its in one sentence must refer to the same singular antecedent. Likewise, every they, them, 
and their must refer to the same plural antecedent. Otherwise, unacceptable confusion reigns.

Example: Researchers claim to have developed new "nano-papers" incorporating tiny cellulose fibers, which THEY allege give THEM the strength of cast iron.

What nouns do they and them refer to? You might assume that they refers to researchers (who claim 
something) and that them refers to new “nano-papers? However, this confusing switch of reference is 
not permitted by the GMAT.

Resolve the confusion by recasting the sentence. One solution is to eliminate they and them altogether.

Right: Researchers claim to have developed new "nano-papers" incorporating tiny cellulose fibers, which give THESE MATERIALS the strength of cast 
iron, according to the researchers.

It seems veritas and Manhattan materials have some contradiction

KarishmaB · Answer

Please note that there is no contradiction. This is what the post says:
"A pronoun, say ‘it’, can refer to two different objects in a single sentence, but it should not refer to two different objects in the same clause since that creates ambiguity."
In the original question, "it" refers to two different objects in two different clauses. This is fine.

The incorrect sentence you quoted above has the pronouns referring to different things in the same clause. That is a problem.

Once the computer generates the financial reports, they are

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Once the computer generates the financial reports, they are

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