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When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca

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souvik101990
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When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 09:18
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When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white carnations, or purple tulips, I chose the former even though I prefer the latter.


(A) the former even though I prefer the latter

(B) the first even though I prefer the latter

(C) the former even though I prefer the last

(D) the former even though it is the latter that I prefer

(E) the first even though I prefer the last


Day 2 Question of the Verbal Contest: GMAT Club RATT Race
Please make sure to post a brief reply without revealing your solution to enter the contest!



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E
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QuanVsVerb
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 09:54
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2 options X,Y or Z
3 options X or Y or Z

Using first or last alone would only qualify as the rank of an item in a list.
You can't pick first or last , but you can pick former or latter.

Only one option has correct usage

Posted from my mobile device
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zxcvbnmas
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 10:44
I have applied for fall2016. The only thing I need is the Gmat, so I'm trying my best :cry:

I think we cant pick former or latter because we have more than two items in the list :roll:
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 11:56
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When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white carnations, or purple tulips, I chose the former even though I prefer the latter.

(A) the former even though I prefer the latter

(B) the first even though I prefer the latter

(C) the former even though I prefer the last

(D) the former even though it is the latter that I prefer

(E) the first even though I prefer the last

It is quite simple. The items are more than 2.
We prefer superlative form more than comparative form.
so First and Last is the best combo.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 18:04
MBA 2017 aspirant. Fingers crossed.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 20:05
Former and latter are used for 2 items . Since in the given sentence there are 3 items we should use first and last .
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 20:20
When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white carnations, or purple tulips, I did not choose any of the roses. I wish the florist offered me a premium membership ;)
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2016, 23:09
Similar to usage of between (2 items) and among (more than 2 items).
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2016, 03:18
3-2 split, We cannot use former and latter as there are more than 2 items. so only correct option is left.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2016, 06:52
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The sentence presents a list -

Quote:
When the florist told me I could have my choice of

1. red roses,
2. white carnations, or
3. purple tulips,

I chose the former even though I prefer the latter.


It will be difficult to attribute former / latter in this case ( since there are three items present )

So, will go with option (E)

the first ( Red Roses ) even though I prefer the last (purple Tulips )
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2016, 10:30
The former/ latter usage creates ambiguity and doesn't fit situations comparing 3 items. A, B or C still means there are three options.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2016, 11:19
When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white carnations, or purple tulips, I chose the former even though I prefer the latter.

(A) the former even though I prefer the latter

(B) the first even though I prefer the latter

(C) the former even though I prefer the last

(D) the former even though it is the latter that I prefer

(E) the first even though I prefer the last Former and latter used in case of two but here we are talking about more than two.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2016, 12:32
former and latter are used to refer to two things mentioned previously. Other combinations mixing former/latter with first/last are wrong. First and last are correctly used to refer to more than two things mentioned previously.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2016, 15:06
I have currently applied to some universities and will be starting my actual applications for fall 2017.currently i have finished with my gre and preparing for my gmat.
As for the given question the answer is straightforward option E
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   15 Apr 2016, 11:30
I am planning to give my GMAT by the end of May.

Only in comparison of two subjects "former- latter" combo is used. In the given question, the use of the first and the last is the right one.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2016, 07:36
souvik101990 wrote:
When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white carnations, or purple tulips, I chose the former even though I prefer the latter.

(A) the former even though I prefer the latter

(B) the first even though I prefer the latter

(C) the former even though I prefer the last

(D) the former even though it is the latter that I prefer

(E) the first even though I prefer the last

Day 2 Question of the Verbal Contest: GMAT Club RATT Race
Please make sure to post a brief reply without revealing your solution to enter the contest!





Intended meaning : The florist offers a choice of three flowers ; the author chooses the first even though he prefers the last.
Error in option a : This is a list which consists of three items. Instead of former and latter , you should use first and last.

Sift through the options , only option e is correct.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   17 Apr 2016, 03:32
E

classic example of GMAT loves simple & concise statements...
xyz items
red roses,
white carnations,
or purple tulips
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   30 Apr 2016, 08:53
As out of three things, only two have to be chosen,former and latter can not be used.
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink] New post   09 Jul 2022, 19:15
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Re: When the florist told me I could have my choice of red roses, white ca [#permalink]
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