Independent contractors pay higher taxes and paid less consistently

Question

Independent contractors pay higher  taxes, are paid less consistently than statutory employees, and, unlike statutory employees, they may freely  perform the same type of work for multiple businesses.

(A) taxes, are paid less consistently than statutory employees, and, unlike statutory employees, they may freely

(B) taxes and are paid less consistently than statutory employees; unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to

(C) taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees, but they, unlike statutory employees, are freely allowed to

(D) taxes and are paid less consistently than are statutory employees; in addition, unlike statutory employees, independent contractors can freely

(E) taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees; moreover, unlike statutory employees, they are allowed to

I marked D as an answer and didnot understand the explanation given " The helping verb to be (appearing here as are) cannot be used to stand for an action verb, so the construction are statutory employees is not parallel to pay higher taxes" . Can someone explain the concept behind not using "are" before "statutory employees in option D ? Also can someone the usage of "though" if already "unlike" is there to show the contrast

arhumsid · Accepted Answer

That's a lovely question! Comparisons at their best. (I still believe that the second part ' in addition to ... ' is not a problem in D). I was only worried about the 'are' omitted in B and used in D. Since the the OA is B, i just thought that 'are' can be removed. But i just discovered that 'are' MUST BE removed. Just wanted to share my eureka moment

Here we have two comparisons at play: 1) Independent contractors pay higher taxes than DO statutory employees 2) Independent contractors are paid less consistently that ARE statutory employees By placing the ' are paid less consistently ' part later in the sequencing, this question tricks us into thinking that ARE is missing. But this is not the case. If we put ' are ' before ' statutory employees ', the comparison (1) will suffer. And if we put a ' do ', comparison (2) will. Hence option B keeps both the comparisons happy by removing any pronoun. This question goes in my error-log

Please let me know if this reasoning is correct.

daagh · Answer

On further research, it comes to light that the word ‘though’ can also be an adverb meaning - nevertheless, however etc-. So the second part in B is indeed n independent clause.

Indeed a high-quality topic. A real Kudo to the poster

plumber250 · Answer

Hi,

Let us see if I can help...

Here is the full sentence for D:

Independent contractors pay  higher taxes and are paid less consistently  than are  statutory employees; in addition, unlike statutory employees, independent contractors can freely perform the same type of work for multiple businesses.

I've highlighted in red the 2 pieces that are not paralel.

The 'are' with statutory employees should be the same form as the first 3 words, and it is not so we should not have it. It's a tricky question because you have the 'are' repeated, but the first 'are' is not linked to the second one so they do not need to be the same construction.

Does that help?!

BPD · Answer

Here two things are happening: one, we are talking about contractors and how they are at an disadvantage vis-avis regular employees and two, how the contractors reduce the disadvantage by the doing the same work for different businesses.

A: The list is wrong. It is trying to show a list of 3 things whereas the reality is that the list is of two things - the disadvantages faced by the contractors.
B. Correct. The list is correct and contrast is shown by showing the advantage of the contractors vis-a-vis regular employees.
C. Parallelism error across the AND - its is shown as verb versus modifier but it should be verb versus verb.
D. Incorrect comparison. Comparing noun (Independent contractor) versus verb + noun (are employees).
E. Parallelism error across the AND - its is shown as verb versus modifier but it should be verb versus verb.

Infinitive · Answer

Independent contractors pay higher  taxes, are paid less consistently than statutory employees, and, unlike statutory employees, they may freely  perform the same type of work for multiple businesses.

A taxes, are paid less consistently than statutory employees, and, unlike statutory employees, they may freely
B taxes and are paid less consistently than statutory employees; unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to
C taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees, but they, unlike statutory employees, are freely allowed to
D taxes and are paid less consistently than are statutory employees; in addition, unlike statutory employees, independent contractors can freely
E taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees; moreover, unlike statutory employees, they are allowed to

Analysis:

A. Comma before 'and' says its a list, but the 3rd element has 'they' and hence it breaks parallelism. Drop A.
B. Two independent clauses joined by ; Second shows a bit contrast than first and hence uses 'though'. Hmm, okay, keep it aside.
C. Pay and paid are not llel as they are joined by ''and', same is the case in E (a quick look); Drop C and E.
D. Two independet clauses are joined by ; Grammetically its ok, but consider the meaning: here, the forst sentence says a disadvantage for Independent contractors and second sentence says opposite of it, but it begins with ' in addition' that imply continuity of thought introduced in 1st. Drop D.

Thus, OAB

littlegirl · Answer

Independent contractors pay higher taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees, but they, unlike statutory employees, are freely allowed to perform the same type of work for multiple businesses. 
 a.taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees, but they, unlike statutory employees, are freely allowed to
 b.taxes and are paid less consistently than statutory employees; unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to
 c.taxes, are paid less consistently than statutory employees, and, unlike statutory employees, they may freely
 d.taxes and are paid less consistently than are statutory employees; in addition, unlike statutory employees, independent contractors can freely
 e.taxes and paid less consistently than are statutory employees; moreover, unlike statutory employees, they are allowed to

I have a doubt about this question, please help me out :

Official answer is B

Independent contractors pay higher taxes and are paid less consistently than statutory employees; unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to perform the same type of work for multiple businesses.

I learnt that after " ;" it should be a clause but " unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to perform the same type of work for multiple businesses " from my view is a dependent clause since though is a starting of a dependent clause. So Why B is still correct? I think B is correct when using " ," instead of " ;" . Please help me? Where did i get wrong?

Thank you so much in advance.

sagarbuss · Answer

What is the verb in the 2nd sentence in option B. Introduction of ';' needs complete sentences on both the sides of ';'.
Doesnt the introduction of 'Though' make the sentence, a fragment?

I agree comparison in D is bad. But D is better than not having a verb as in B.

arhumsid · Answer

No. Introduction of 'though' does not make it a fragment. A sentence is a fragment when it lacks a main clause. Here, we have two independent clauses (the second one made subordinate to the first). Please correct me if im wrong here. Sorry, i couldn't understand your query 'I agree comparison in D is bad. But D is better than not having a verb as in B'. I see, the second part of B is complete:- Firstly, ... unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to . Subject: independent contractors Verb: are free Am i missing anything? Secondly, The problem of comparison in D is not bad but its incorrect. Good enough to strike that option off

Now, lets talk about the later halves of choices B and D. We agree that both of them are (supposed to be) complete sentences that can stand on their own. Now, Lets do some meaning analysis first. Idea presented in the 1st part: Independent contractors pay higher taxes than statutory employees and in return get lesser. Main idea: Independent contractors are at loss and statutory employees are benefited. Idea presented in the 2nd part: Independent contractors are free to perform something that statutory employees aren't. Main idea: Independent contractors are benefited and statutory employees are at loss. Conclusion: Both parts are present contrasting information. Now coming to B and D: B unlike statutory employees, though, independent contractors are free to perform the same type of work for multiple businesses subordinator: Though . Though is capable of setting up contrast. Correct usage as it is showing contrast S-V pair. Taken care of D in addition, unlike statutory employees, independent contractors can freely perform the same type of work for multiple businesses coordinating conjunction: In addition . In addition is used to present similar thoughts/ideas as were presented in the earlier part of the sentence. Here, its usage is incorrect as we need to show contrast. S-V pair: Taken care of. Therefore B makes perfect sense and D is wrong for multiple reasons. Please correct me if im wrong.

VeritasPrepDennis · Answer

littlegirl -

Think of it this way - a semi-colon separates two independent thoughts and thus, you should have two clauses that can stand on their own on each side of it. One trick I use to determine if the use of a semi-colon is correct is to mentally remove the semi-colon and substitute a conjunction (and, but, or, so, etc.). If the sentence is correct using the conjunction, then the semi-colon is correct.

In the sentence above, if you use a comma instead of a semi-colon, you would create a comma-splice which is grammatically incorrect. Let me know if you have any additional questions or if you need some further explanation on this.

Adyy96 · Answer

VeritasPrepDennis Can you please explain me why "are" is incorrect before Statutory employees in options A,D and E Thanks in advance

VeritasPrepDennis · Answer

Adyy96,

The "are" in A, D and E is not necessary and make the comparison incorrect. Make the sentence as small as possible (by taking out the independent clauses, etc.) and you will see. FOr example, if you were to say "Independent contractors pay higher taxes" would it be "than statutory employees" or "than is statutory employees"? In this case, the test makers are trying to get us to buy off on the "are" and throw us off the scent of the correct answer.

Let me know if this helps.

Rashed12 · Answer

Regarding B, if I simplify the sentence in active voice, then the following sentences are correct? kindly advise me if I am wrong.

Government pay independent contractors less consistently than statutory employees. ( here compared independent contractors to statutory employees.)
Government pay independent contractors less consistently than statutory employees do . ( here compared government to statutory employees.)

AjiteshArun · Answer

Government  is singular, so you'd need a singular verb for it. Something like "the government pays..." would do. Of course, the sentence isn't restricted to the government, but if we assume that it is, the rest of what you've written is fine. That is, in some questions, we may have to decide between:

1.  X pays A more than B. 
Here the most likely interpretation is that X pays A more than X pays B.

and

2.  X pays A more than Y does. 
X pays A more than Y pays A.

800Dreamer · Answer

OE:

The sentence describes several differences between the situation of independent contractors and that of statutory employees. The first two observations depict the situation of independent contractors as less favorable than that of statutory employees, but the reverse is true of the final observation; therefore, the sentence must properly express the contrast between the first two observations and the last one. Additionally, the first two observations—each of which describes a relative disadvantage faced by independent contractors—should be written in parallel.
 
(A) And links the constructions pay... and paid... These constructions are not parallel: the first is a verb phrase, but the second is a participial modifier. The helping verb to be (appearing here as are) cannot be used to stand for an action verb, so the construction are statutory employees is not parallel to pay higher taxes. The adverb freely is incorrectly placed; it is intended to describe the act of performing similar work for other companies, but, in its current location, it illogically modifies "allowed". Finally, the modifier unlike statutory employees is used to modify a pronoun (they) rather than a noun, resulting in an awkward and unacceptable construction.
 
(B)  CORRECT . The two disadvantages faced by independent contractors are properly represented by two parallel verbs (pay... and are paid...), and the transition though is appropriately used to describe the contrast between the first two observations and the last.
 
(C) This construction contains a list of three constructions (pay..., are paid..., and they may freely...) that is incorrect in terms of both meaning and grammar. The construction x, y, and z makes no sense here, since the last observation contrasts with the first two; the same list is also grammatically nonparallel, since pay and paid are verbs but they may... is a full clause with a subject and a verb.
 
(D) The transition in addition implies that the following statement reinforces the idea(s) stated earlier; in this sentence, the last observation contrasts with the first two, so in addition is inappropriate.
 
(E) And links the constructions pay... and paid... These constructions are not parallel: the first is a verb phrase, but the second is a participial modifier. The helping verb to be (appearing here as are) cannot be used to stand for an action verb, so the construction are statutory employees is not parallel to pay higher taxes. Finally, the transition moreover implies that the following statement reinforces the idea(s) stated earlier; in this sentence, the last observation contrasts with the first two, so moreover is inappropriate.

Vishalcv · Answer

Hello Sir,

EducationAisle 
Some help with this one as well. I marked the right option B because I had read that using 'are' when the comparison is obvious is not preferred. But I am curious as to whether it is something that GMAT would frown upon. Is saying " X is paid more than is Y" just wordy, or is it wrong as well?

EducationAisle · Answer

" X is paid more than is Y" (or " X is paid more than Y is") seems fine to me. Which option are you referring to?

rvgmat12 · Answer

OE:

The sentence describes several differences between the situation of independent contractors and that of statutory employees. The first two observations depict the situation of independent contractors as less favorable than that of statutory employees, but the reverse is true of the final observation; therefore, the sentence must properly express the contrast between the first two observations and the last one. Additionally, the first two observations—each of which describes a relative disadvantage faced by independent contractors—should be written in parallel.
 
(A) And links the constructions pay... and paid... These constructions are not parallel: the first is a verb phrase, but the second is a participial modifier. The helping verb to be (appearing here as are) cannot be used to stand for an action verb, so the construction are statutory employees is not parallel to pay higher taxes. The adverb freely is incorrectly placed; it is intended to describe the act of performing similar work for other companies, but, in its current location, it illogically modifies "allowed". Finally, the modifier unlike statutory employees is used to modify a pronoun (they) rather than a noun, resulting in an awkward and unacceptable construction.
 
(B) CORRECT. The two disadvantages faced by independent contractors are properly represented by two parallel verbs (pay... and are paid...), and the transition though is appropriately used to describe the contrast between the first two observations and the last.
 
(C) This construction contains a list of three constructions (pay..., are paid..., and they may freely...) that is incorrect in terms of both meaning and grammar. The construction x, y, and z makes no sense here, since the last observation contrasts with the first two; the same list is also grammatically nonparallel, since pay and paid are verbs but they may... is a full clause with a subject and a verb.
 
(D) The transition in addition implies that the following statement reinforces the idea(s) stated earlier; in this sentence, the last observation contrasts with the first two, so in addition is inappropriate.
 
(E) And links the constructions pay... and paid... These constructions are not parallel: the first is a verb phrase, but the second is a participial modifier. The helping verb to be (appearing here as are) cannot be used to stand for an action verb, so the construction are statutory employees is not parallel to pay higher taxes. Finally, the transition moreover implies that the following statement reinforces the idea(s) stated earlier; in this sentence, the last observation contrasts with the first two, so moreover is inappropriate.

abhishekmayank · Answer

Question :

Independent contractors pay higher  taxes, are paid less consistently than statutory employees, and, unlike statutory employees, they may freely  perform the same type of work for multiple businesses.

Option D :

(D) taxes and are paid less consistently than are statutory employees; in addition, unlike statutory employees, independent contractors can freely

Still, I am not getting whether comparison is wrong in option D ? Why cant we interpret like this :

Independent contractors pay higher taxes and  are paid less consistently than are statutory employees (paid).

Wherein comparison is happening in highlighted part.

Expert kindly help. Thanks in advance ...

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  abhishekmayank ,

The comparison seems to be fine, but because this is a style we normally see only in formal writing, we'll most likely need to remember that it's possible to switch the order (subject after verb). In other words, we may not be able to replace the verb or add a verb and still end up with a sentence that sounds good.

1.  She earns more than her colleagues.  ← This is not really wrong, but it may be considered a little ambiguous.

2.  She earns more than her colleagues  earn .  ← This is fine.

3.  She earns more than her colleagues  do .  ← This is also fine.

4.  She earns more than  do  her colleagues.  ← This is also fine, more formal.

5.   She earns more than  earn  her colleagues.   ← This is not correct.

Independent contractors pay higher taxes and paid less consistently

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Independent contractors pay higher taxes and paid less consistently

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