Modifiers

Question

"Based on the recent decline in enrollment, the admissions office decided to reevaluate its recruitment strategies"

The above statement is incorrect, as is.

Here is the corrected version

"Based on the recent decline in enrollment, plans were made by the admissions office to reevaluate its recruitment strategies."

Can someone plz explain what was wrong in the original statement? Thanks.

asdert · Answer

JimJohn, I had the same argument with myself a few nights ago when I was going through MGMAT SC. To me, it's incredibly ambigous, but apparently not to the GMAT.

I found a question in the OG with the same principle and the correct answer was the same. 

Anyone knows something?

Praetorian · Answer

I can make an attempt. Its been years since I looked at this stuff.

The first statement makes it sound like "The admissions office was based on the recent decline in enrollment". Thats not correct. 

The correct version should sound something like this...

The admissions office decided to reevaluate its recruitment strategies. These plans were based on the recent decline in enrollment. 

I think the corrected version does a good job of saying this.

Ravshonbek · Answer

mgmat sc 2003 ed. has the precise explanation for it.
praet's explanation is good. but is wordy. 
it looks like everyone has his own explanation to this stuff.

jimjohn · Answer

The first statement makes it sound like "The admissions office was based on the recent decline in enrollment". Thats not correct. 


but in the corrected sentence, then doesnt it also sound like the plans were based on the recent decline in enrollment. because the corrected version does not separate them into two different sentences.

Modifiers

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