Last visit was: 28 Apr 2026, 23:13 It is currently 28 Apr 2026, 23:13
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
fozzzy
avatar
Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Last visit: 17 May 2015
Posts: 573
Own Kudos:
7,007
Given Kudos: 543
Posts: 573
Kudos: 7,007
ING Modifier cannot show contrast? 13 Jun 2013, 07:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I just wanted to confirm that ING modifier cannot show contrast right?

Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
User avatar
VeritasPrepRon
User avatar
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
Joined: 11 Dec 2012
Last visit: 26 Apr 2026
Posts: 306
Own Kudos:
703
Given Kudos: 66
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 306
Kudos: 703
ING Modifier cannot show contrast? 13 Jun 2013, 09:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fozzzy
I just wanted to confirm that ING modifier cannot show contrast right?
Show more

Hi Fozzzy, I'm not sure I understand the question. Can you elaborate a little more or provide an example that is vexing you?

Ron being happy / Ron being happier?
Ron looks happy / Ron is looking happy?

Thanks!
-Ron
User avatar
KyleWiddison
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 779
Own Kudos:
2,697
Given Kudos: 5
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 779
Kudos: 2,697
ING Modifier cannot show contrast? 13 Jun 2013, 17:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fozzzy
I just wanted to confirm that ING modifier cannot show contrast right?
Show more

Yes, please explain and provide any related GMAT questions.

KW
avatar
fozzzy
avatar
Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Last visit: 17 May 2015
Posts: 573
Own Kudos:
7,007
Given Kudos: 543
Posts: 573
Kudos: 7,007
ING Modifier cannot show contrast? 14 Jun 2013, 02:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The Iroquois were primarily planters, but supplementing their cultivation of maize, squash, and beans with fishing and hunting.

(A) but supplementing
(B) and had supplemented
(C) and even though they supplemented
(D) although they supplemented
(E) but with supplementing

I saw an explanation on this forum about the ING modifier showing contrast so thought I would confirm if it's true or not...
User avatar
VeritasPrepRon
User avatar
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
Joined: 11 Dec 2012
Last visit: 26 Apr 2026
Posts: 306
Own Kudos:
703
 [1]
Given Kudos: 66
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 306
Kudos: 703
 [1]
ING Modifier cannot show contrast? 14 Jun 2013, 07:50
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Fozzzy, now I think I understand the question better. Thanks for clarifying.

In this sentence: The Iroquois were primarily planters, but supplementing their cultivation of maize, squash, and beans with fishing and hunting

The author is implying that the Iroquois were primarily this, but also did a little of that. The "ing" modifier here (supplementing) modifies the entire previous sentence (the Iroquois were primarily planters), and would indicate a continuation of the same though. I.E. Ron was a strong student, graduating near the top of his class.... The "graduating" necessarily continues the same logic, and thus doesn't show contrast.

Now compare to "Ron was a strong student, but graduated near the bottom of his class due to a lack of focus". This shows the contrast of saying one thing, but then demonstrating another. In the example you've provided, the choice that properly shows this contrast is answer choice D, so that should be the correct answer.

Hope this helps!
-Ron

Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
Moderators:
AbhishekP220108
507 posts
bhanu29
363 posts