GMAT Prep SC

[RonPurewal]

^^ so, since the "scientists" actually DO the studying, "studying" is definitely appropriate (and, for the same reason, "the study" is inappropriate).

note that this sort of difference will never be the only split in a problem-- it's too subtle. but, if you know it, it can certainly be a useful piece of ammunition.

[douyang]

And can we view that in choice C "by studying...." is an initial modifier, thus it should modifier the "scientists"? and then wrong?

yes.

I've learned that the propositional phrase is flexible. For example, below is correct sentence from Manhattan SC guide:
In addition to Munster cheese, I like Swiss.

Here, In addition to Munster cheese does not modify "I".

Also, there is a GMAT question on this issue:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... -t499.html

My question is:
Is in additional to an exception for the rule that the initial modify must be placed near the subject it modifies?
or
it it true that the propositional phrase does not always have to modify the nearest subject when it is used as an initial modifier?

Thanks in advance!

[RonPurewal]

My question is:
Is in additional to an exception for the rule that the initial modify must be placed near the subject it modifies?

possibly, but, note that this is a non-issue in the problem you cited.

[RonPurewal]

it it true that the propositional phrase does not always have to modify the nearest subject when it is used as an initial modifier?

Thanks in advance!

see, this ^^ is why you need to view placement as a "beauty contest" among the given choices.
this way you don't have to worry about where modifiers should be placed; you can just pit the choices against one another, a much simpler task.

if the phrase describes one particular noun better than others, then, if there are choices in which the noun and modifier are farther apart, you should eliminate those choices.

[DiJ92]

B has lots of issues:

• "By the study..." (vs. "by studying...")

• "and" (vs. the more logical "but")

• Placement of "scientists", vis-a-vis the modifier at the beginning

• "It was possible for the secrets to ___" (vs. "It was possible for scientists to ___") -- meaning issue, essentially identical to the issue with "capability"/"ability"

Which of these do/don't you understand?

Dear Ron
through reading all the posts, I have understand most of the problems. However, I still cannot understand the last issue. Do you mean that in this construction (It was possible for X to do Y) X should have the ability to do Y? In my understanding, this construction is equal to "X is possible to do Y", and it seems that it does not matter with the ability. Therefore, it is ok to say the secrets begin to be unraveled by scientists? Am i right?

[RonPurewal]

"x is possible to do y" is not a thing that exists. thus i cannot understand the point you are trying to make.

[RonPurewal]

MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY—

you seem to be forgetting that this is a multiple-choice test.

it is possible for the secrets to be unraveled by scientists: clearly worse (the secrets are not doing anything)
it is possible for scientists to unravel the secrets: clearly better (the scientists, on the other hand, ARE doing something)

this ^^ is all you have to do.

if your thoughts go beyond 'clearly better vs. clearly worse', then you're taking something that should be easy and making it difficult.