Hi Ashsish,

Thanks for posting your doubt here.

There is absolutely no problem in presenting the contrast Choice A. As you have already noticed. the Subject of the first clause "lines of competition" is contrasted with the Subject of the second clause "they" that stands for "lines of competition". The prepositional phrase "in the internet industry" is a modifier for "they". Yes, for absolute identical parallelism, it could be placed after "they". But its placement before "they" DOES NOT make the intended contrast incorrect. Such usage is absolutely acceptable on the GMAT.

Choice B may have a complete identical grammatical parallelism between "lines of competition" and "they". But there are other blatant issues with this choice.
Firstly, "industries that are more established" is wordier than "more established industries".
Secondly, "competing companies one day" does not clearly convey that the companies that are being talked about compete one day may become partners the other day.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
SJ
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Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete one day may be partners the next.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Correct.

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies
Wrong.
"the more established industries" differs from "industries that are more established". If you say "THE more + Adjective + Noun" ==> [more adjective] plays as adjective that modifies the noun directly. But when you say "industries that are more established ....(than what?)" ==> you're comparing industries with some thing else. But there's nothing to compare here --> the comparison is incomplete. (correct grammar is: .... more ....than....)


C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Wrong. Comparison problem: the lines vs. the internet.

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete
Wrong. Pronoun problem. "they" refers to what?

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies[/quote]
Wrong. Pronoun problem. "those" refers to what?

Hope it helps.

Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete one day may be partners the next.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies
---> it would be fine if "competing companies" were " companies that compete" ...coz if not, "one day" is of no use here.

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
----> wrong comparison between "the lines of ..." and "the internet" ---> out.

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete
-----> same as C.

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies.
----->"those of " is " lines of competitions " ---> again, wrong comparison ---> out.

A stands fine.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
- more appropriate, even though not perfect IMO.
B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies
- seems to imply that the internet industry is also among the "more established" industries.
C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
- should be internet industry
D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete
- not clear what "they" refers to: industries or lines of competition
E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies
- same argument as D

The sentence with the OA (B) reads thus:
Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies one day may be partners the next.
I don't think the highlighted part sounds like correct English, or I am missing something basic here. Ivymba or matrix, Help me out!

The first word after the comma has to be the word being modified OR have parallel reasoning.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
After the comma, the sentence should speak of 'lines of competition' to maintain parallelism.
A does not do that.

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Here, it is comparing clear definition of the 'lines of competition' with the 'internet'

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete
'They' does not clearly refer to the 'lines of competition'. It could also refer to industries.

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies
'Those' does not clearly refer to the 'lines of competition'. It could also refer to industries.

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies
Correct answer.

A is the correct choice: Look out for quantities being compared. We are comparing lines of competition in Established industries and Internet Industry.

Reasoning:
A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and in distinct, as companies that compete--Correct.

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established , they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet threats t industry, as competing companies---Here the meaning is distorted, because of although.

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete--Comparison of lines of competition and Internet. Incorrect.

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly Defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete---'They' refers to more established industries and not lines of competition Incorrect.

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies ----'Those' refers to more established industries and not lines of competition Incorrect.

In the default statement the contrast is b/w "lines of competition" and "in internet industry"

whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct,

- the sentence can be easily reworded -"whereas LOC are clearly........they are blurred and indistinct in the internet industry"

The contrast is correct in Option B, but the official answer is A. Why so?

What should the approach in such Q`s where the contrast in the default statement is not proper.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete - correct
B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies - continuous tense, not preferable
C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete - has to be internet industry not INTERNET -> changes the meaning
D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete - Comparision of two different things. Establuished industries are compared with 'lines of competition'
E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies - same as D

IMO A

Can someone please explain why A is right and E is wrong

E says: Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies one day may be partners the next.

What does those refer to?

i) One might perhaps interpret that those refers to lines of competition. Then E would read: Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, lines of competition of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies one day may be partners the next. At least two issues with this:

Issue 1: It is an incorrect comparison. Generally speaking, like/unlike should be between similar entities. However, here the structure is: Unlike more established industries...., lines of competition..... So, the comparison is between dis-similar entities established industries and lines of competition.

Issue 2: The sentence says: lines of competition of the Internet industry. It should actually say: lines of competition in the Internet industry (the way it is lines of competition in the more established industries)

ii) One might interpret that those refers to industries (going by the structure of option E, this is more likely to be the case). Then E would read: Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, industries of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies one day may be partners the next. This is clearly incorrect because it suggests that industries (of the Internet industry) are blurred and indistinct, while actually lines of competition are blurred and indistinct.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses issues related to comparisons in significant detail. If you can PM you email-id, I can send you the corresponding section.
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For one thing, pronoun ambiguity (a pronoun with multiple eligible antecedents, in this case lines of competition and industries) is acceptable on GMAT. Also, generally in such sentences, what works is to split the sentence into corresponding clauses:

i) Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries
ii) In the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct

lines of competition (a noun) and they (a pronoun) are subjects in their respective clauses. Hence, they would refer to lines of competition.

Nevertheless, it is not a good idea to eliminate an answer choice because of pronoun ambiguity.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses the scenarios of pronoun usage, their application and examples in significant detail. If you can PM you email-id, I can send you the corresponding section.
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Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete one day may be partners the next.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Correct: The word "whereas" correctly contrasts the two clauses. Usage of "companies that compete" is clear and concise.

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies
Incorrect: wordy; usage of "competing companies" is awkward.

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Incorrect: "Industries" is compared with "internet"

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete
Incorrect: "more established industries" is compared with "lines of competition" (they)

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies
Incorrect: again usage of "competing companies"

Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete one day may be partners the next.

A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete - Correct

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies
Two issues:
1) that are -> is not required
2) competing companies -> Not parallel with "may be partners the next"

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Two issues
1) unlike X Y
So "Lines" cannot be compared to/with internet companies.
2) The original sentence talks about Internet industries and not internet.

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete
Wrong comparsion -> Industries compared with/to lines

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies
Comparison should be made between industries and industries
Those refers to industries and industries of Internet industry is wrong.
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OK, let me now replace the pronoun’ they’ with both the contenders

1. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry ( they) the industries are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
A.2. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry (they) the lines are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete
Now, one can decide which is logical.
That is why, whenever, one has doubts about the relevance a pronoun, he or she should apply the replacement test and conclude
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HI Daagh, thanks for prompt response, I know that "they" logically should refer to lines, but my concern is we cant assume that "they " is referring to lines since grammatically it can refer to both lines and the industries,


Just as in many SC questions when we have multiple antecedents of it , we omit that choice , however we know logically "it" should refer to one clear antecedent

I am afraid that one cannot reject a choice because the antecedence is ambiguous. In so many r correct choices in the OG, the antecedence has been somewhat like the cat on the wall. However, time and again GMAC has clarified, that lately, it is inclined to go with logic rather than ignore ambiguity. This is one such case.
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This is a comparison between the fledgling Internet industry and other industries that are more established than the Internet industry. Again logically speaking, they can only refer to the lines and not the established Industries. Although and whereas are both contrast markers and I would feel any of them is good enough.

However, we can decide this question through grammatical clues.



A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete ---'One day' is an adverb and requires a verb such as compete to modify. That is what A provides. Correct.

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly defined in industries that are more established, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as competing companies -- The adverb ‘one day’ cannot modify 'companies', a noun.

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and indistinct, as companies that compete – The Internet is a not a physical place. ‘Where’ is not the appropriate relative pronoun to refer to ‘Internet’.

D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly defined, they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet industry, as companies that compete --- Industries are not places that can be referred by ‘where’.

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and indistinct, as competing companies -- ‘those’ is wrong since the comparison is with Internet Industry and not those of the internet industry. In addition, competing companies 'has' modification problems as in B
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A. Whereas lines of competition are clearly defin ed in the more established industries, in the Internet industry they are blurred and in distinct, as companies that compete

looks fine --will check further in round 2

B. Although the lines of competition are clearly d efined in industries that are more established , they are blurred and indistinct in the Internet threats t industry, as competing companies
internet threat is a new edition here !!

C. The lines of competition are clearly defined in the more established industries, unlike the Internet where they are blurred and i ndistinct, as companies that compete
Incorrect comparison


D. Unlike more established industries, where the lines of competition are clearly DEFI ned, they are burred and indistinct in the Internet i ndustry, as companies that compete
Pronoun ambiguity

E. Unlike more established industries, with clearly defined lines of competition, those of the Internet industry are blurred and i ndistinct, as competing companies
Incorrect comparison again !!


That makes A the answer !!