Initially Bob was the group’s spokesperson, afterwards it occurred to

Question

Initially Bob was the group’s spokesperson,  afterwards it occurred to them that  Jane was more articulate and more diplomatic.

(A) afterwards it occurred to them that

(B) that wasn’t the best thing to do since

(C) but they came to realize that

(D) they concluded, however, that

(E) then they decided that

Source:  Master GMAT

chowdhurysakib71 · Answer

There is no plural noun antecedent of they, them. So, b will be the answer.

Posted from my mobile device

ankaua · Answer

+1  chowdhurysakib71 
B is wordy, but I also сhose it because it is the only option that does not contain "they" presumably referring to a singular collective noun "group".

Bunuel , could you please elaborate on this?

rohitchayal · Answer

Since group’s is modifying spokesperson can a pronoun still stand for “group’s”?

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

This sentence is an example of a run-on sentence, that is, a sentence containing two independent clauses that are not properly joined. The portion of this sentence before the comma is an independent clause (which means a clause that can act as a sentence all by itself), and the portion of the sentence after the comma is also an independent clause.

A comma by itself is not sufficient to separate two independent clauses; rather, a coordinating conjunction  like and, but, yet, for, or,  or  nor  must be used between the comma and the second independent clause. Only  choice (C)  provides such a conjunction at the beginning of the second clause.

The main consideration here is that choices  (A), (B), (D), and (E)  are run-on sentences.

The correct answer is (C).

Hope it helps

TheNightKing · Answer

Even if I consider the logic of all but C are run-on sentences. Still C doesn't make a great sense to me.

Initially Bob was the group’s spokesperson, but they came to realize that Jane was more articulate and more diplomatic.

but they came to realise when? If you add but "later" they came to realise then it will still make sense.

Just weird stuff

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  TheNightKing ,

The  came  itself indicates that some time had passed. So when we say things like  he came to enjoy visiting the dentist and getting his teeth pulled out , we mean that it took some time for him to reach that "state". It was not something that happened immediately.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Choice A:  This answer choice connects two independent clauses with a comma, creating a run-on sentence. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice B:  This answer choice repeats the error found in Option A. Additionally, this answer choice changes the meaning of the sentence by introducing new information through the phrase "that wasn’t the best thing to do". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice C:  This answer choice correctly connects two independent clauses by using a comma followed by appropriate conjunction and preserves the intended meaning of the sentence. Thus, this answer choice is correct.

Choice D:  This answer choice repeats the error seen in Options A and B. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice E:  This answer choice repeats the error seen in Options A, B, and C. This answer choice also changes the meaning of the sentence by using the word "decided", rather than one of the words "occurred", "realized", or "concluded"; the word "decided" carries a more active connotation that alters the intended meaning of the sentence, which is that the group came to understand that "Jane was more articulate and more diplomatic".

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Comma Splices and Run-ons on GMAT", you may want to watch the following video (~6 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOXi16shp-4

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Initially Bob was the group’s spokesperson, afterwards it occurred to

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Initially Bob was the group’s spokesperson, afterwards it occurred to

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards