Last visit was: 01 May 2026, 05:59 It is currently 01 May 2026, 05:59
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
souvonik2k
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Nov 2015
Last visit: 05 Dec 2021
Posts: 949
Own Kudos:
2,251
 [1]
Given Kudos: 751
Status:Preparing for GMAT
Location: India
GPA: 3.64
Products:
Posts: 949
Kudos: 2,251
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
PP777
Joined: 07 Apr 2018
Last visit: 19 Dec 2022
Posts: 79
Own Kudos:
140
 [1]
Given Kudos: 61
Location: India
Products:
Posts: 79
Kudos: 140
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
push12345
Joined: 02 Oct 2017
Last visit: 10 Feb 2019
Posts: 534
Own Kudos:
549
 [2]
Given Kudos: 14
Posts: 534
Kudos: 549
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 109,991
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,972
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,991
Kudos: 812,260
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
souvonik2k
Weighing in on the controversial subject, the President announced that the potential construction of a new pipeline depends on if it will exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution and have a net effect that serves the national interest.


A) if it will exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution and have
B) whether it will exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution and have
C) whether or not it is likely to exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution and will have
D) its likelihood for exacerbating the problem of carbon pollution and having
E) the likelihood for it to exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution and have

Official Explanation



Creating a filter: In this question, the sentence needs "whether," not "if." Here exact English differs from common English. If it's a yes or no question expressed by a clause, the proper word is always "whether." The word "if" has a different function, which is to identify a condition for something. A simple test is to use "or not" -- if "or not" fits in the sentence, then the right word is "whether." I.e., "the construction of a new pipeline depends on whether or not it will exacerbate the problem..." makes sense, so the word must be "whether."

Applying the filter: the filter leaves us with (B) and (C). Choice (C) has multiple errors. The phrase "it is likely" is unnecessary and "will have" is not parallel or consistent with "likely to exacerbate." (D) and (E) are wordy and imprecise. "How likely" would be a viable option here, but it doesn't appear.

The correct answer is (B).
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts
513 posts
363 posts