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Comment on Modifiers - Part II
Hi there,
Thank you for these videos. They are by far the best GMAT prep resources out there!
Please can you help clarify the following questions:
1. Do we use 'that' or 'whom' to modify groups of people? For example, do we say 'the team who wins' or 'the team that wins'?
2. Do we use commas for modifiers? For example, should there be commas in the sentence 'The tree, whose branches overhang the street, is covered with blossoms'?
Thank you.
Thanks for the kudos, Winnie!
Thanks for the kudos, Winnie!
1. Use "that" for groups of people
2. The answer to that question depends on whether the modifying phrase "whose branches overhang the street" is essential or not to help identify the subject of the sentence.
For example, if there are many trees on the street, and you are referring specifically to the one whose branches overhang the street, then the modifying phrase is essential and we don't use commas.
On the other hand, if it is apparent which tree we're referring to (e.g., there's only one tree on the street), then the modifying phrase is just providing extra non-essential information about the tree, in which case we DO use commas.
More here: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-sentence-correction/video/1166
Hi,
So can we say both:
the team that wins...
the team who wins...
How should we treat group words such as "police, government, administration, management"
Police who/that are/is patrolling our streets
The government that/who help/helps us with problems.
An administration that/who was/were created by our company.
Management who/that give/gives us goals for the whole year.
Than you in advance,
Use THAT for groups of people
Use THAT for groups of people.
Aside: When it comes to POLICE, I think it's common to add an extra word to avoid ambiguity (e.g., police OFFICER, police FORCE, etc.)
Examples:
The police officer WHO gave me a ticket....
The police force THAT attended....
Government, administration, management all take THAT.
--------------------------------
Police who/that are/is patrolling our streets
The government THAT HELPS us ....
An administration THAT WAS created ....
Management THAT GIVES ....
Cheers,
Brent
Thank you very much Brent
Why is Luke the subject and
In the relative clause "whom
In the relative clause "whom Luke helped," we have the verb "helped."
When we ask, "Who did the helping?", the answer is Luke. So, Luke is the subject of that clause.
More here: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-sentence-correction/video/1153
Sir may I get the flash cards
Here they are: https://www
Here they are: https://www.slideshare.net/GMATPrepNow_free/interactive-sentence-correct...
Hi in the sentence Kevin
There are two verbs:
There are two verbs:
1) dislikes is one verb, and "Kevin" is the subject performing the verb
2) draw is another verb, and "who" is the subject performing the verb
Hey Brent any detailed
Perhaps this will help: https
Perhaps this will help: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/who-vs-whom-its-not-as-complicated-as-you...
Hi Brent,
Please explain answer choices of below question. What is difficulty level for this question?
https://gmatclub.com/forum/for-almost-a-hundred-years-after-having-its-beginning-in-1788-england-82247.html
Mitch (GMATGuruNY) provides a
Mitch (GMATGuruNY) provides a beautiful solution here: http://www.beatthegmat.com/og-question-to-gmatguru-t292902.html
Please let me know if you'd like me to clarify anything.
Hi,
I don't actually understand why E is a correct choice
(E) Over a period of a hundred years beginning in 1788
"beginning in 1788" is a present participle phrase that modifies the noun "period"
As you mentioned several times in your earlier videos, noun modifiers must be placed right after the noun they refer to. Here a prepositional phrase "of a hundred years" standing between the two seemingly inseparable parts of a sentence.
"Over a period beginning in 1788 and lasting a hundred years,..." I think this is a correct sentence that follows the rules of proximity.
Have I misunderstood something?
In MOST cases, a noun
In MOST cases, a noun modifier must touch the noun it is modifying, but there are exceptions.
In the sentence "Over a period of a hundred years beginning in 1788, England exiled some 160,000 criminals to Australia," the phrase BEGINNING IN 1788 is a VITAL noun modifier (i.e., we need this information to know when the 100-year period started). As such, it's okay to place that phrase in between the modifier and the noun it's modifying
More here: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-sentence-correction/video/1168
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent,
I am struggling to understand why B is correct.
option (B) Found only in the Western Hemisphere, hummingbirds survive through extremes of climate, their range extending
I understand first part is modifying Hummingbirds but couldn't understand what is relation between last two parts i.e. hummingbirds survive through extremes of climate, their range extending
https://gmatclub.com/forum/found-only-in-the-western-hemisphere-205346.html
Question link: https:/
Question link: https://gmatclub.com/forum/found-only-in-the-western-hemisphere-205346.html
In this sentence, the phrase THEIR RANGE refers to the hummingbirds, but the entire phrase (their range extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from sealevel rain forests to the edges of Andean snowfields and ice fields at altitudes of 15,000 feet.) modifies the verb SURVIVE by telling us HOW hummingbirds survive the climate.
Example: Joe greeted the cheering crowd, his face beaming.
Here, HIS FACE refers to Joe, but the entire phrase modifies the verb GREETED, telling us HOW Joe greeted the crowd.
Does that help?
Cheers,
Brent
Hi,
Could you explain why B) is better than C)
I don't see almost any difference between those two answer choices,
Thank you in advance
Answer choice C does not have
Answer choice C does not have a verb.
C) Hummingbirds, found only in the Western Hemisphere and surviving through extremes of climate, with their range extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from sea-level rain forests to the edges of Andean snowfields and ice fields at altitudes of 15,000 feet.
"found only in the Western Hemisphere and surviving through extremes of climate" modifies hummingbirds. So, we can ignore it to get: Hummingbirds, with their range extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from sea-level rain forests to the edges of Andean snowfields and ice fields at altitudes of 15,000 feet.
"with their range extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from sea-level rain forests to the edges of Andean snowfields and ice fields at altitudes of 15,000 feet." also modifies hummingbirds. So, we can ignore it to get just: Hummingbirds
So, there's no verb to go along with the subject HUMMINGBIRDS
Cheers,
Brent
Unfortunately, it is still
(B) Found only in the Western Hemisphere, hummingbirds survive through extremes of climate, their range extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from sea-level rain forests to the edges of Andean snowfields and ice fields at altitudes of 15,000 feet.
For me phrase "their range extending..." doesn't explain HOW they survive. If it said that " Found only in the Western Hemisphere, hummingbirds survive through extremes of climate by accumulating a lot of fat tissue, which serves as longterm food storage.
But this does not explain HOW hummingbirds survive
Actually, I think adding the preposition "with" might help.
Found only in the Western Hemisphere, hummingbirds survive through extremes of climate, WITH their range extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from sea-level rain forests to the edges of Andean snowfields and ice fields at altitudes of 15,000 feet.
But still, I can't figure out what it modifies exactly "hummingbirds" or "survive"
In your own example, "Joe greeted the cheering crowd, his face beaming." if we add the preposition "with" it again can modify either one of them.
Joe, with his face beaming, greeted the cheering crowd (noun modifier)
or
Joe greeted the crowd with his face beaming (verb modifier)
Thank you in advance
The phrase "their range
The phrase "their range extending from Alaska to..." doesn't modify the verb SURVIVE; it modifies the noun HUMMINGBIRDS (i.e., tell me more about these HUMMINGBIRDS. We'll their range extends from Alaska to...)
I think B is fine as written, but the addition of WITH doesn't necessarily destroy the sentence.
----------------------
1) Joe, with his face beaming, greeted the cheering crowd (noun modifier)
2) Joe greeted the crowd with his face beaming (verb modifier)
I don't think either sentence needs the addition of WITH.
Sentence 2 is particularly suspect. Here's why:
Often, when we use the word WITH, the part following WITH is the thing used to perform (or help perform) some action.
For example, "Joe stirred the cake batter WITH a spoon"
Here, the spoon helped Joe perform the act of stirring.
Likewise, sentence 2 can be read to suggest that Joe used his beaming face to greet the crowds. Seems a little odd :-)
Does that help?
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent,
can you please explain below question. I understand concept when I read gmatclub but I forget it and I get same question wrong next time. I think I need to understand fundamentls to get all such question correct
https://gmatclub.com/forum/for-almost-a-hundred-years-after-having-its-beginning-in-1788-england-82247.html
Mitch (GMATGuruNY) provides a
Mitch (GMATGuruNY) provides a great analysis here: http://www.beatthegmat.com/og-question-to-gmatguru-t292902.html
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent! On the sentence
I am confused because I thought that the Relative Clause "When there are no hurricanes" modified "visit"? Sandra and Sam like to visit when there are no hurricanes. Hmm... but the video says it modifies "summer". How can I know what it modifies? Thank you so much
This is a similar question to
This is a similar question to your last one (here https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-sentence-correction/video/1163).
In this case, the clause "when there are no hurricanes" answers the question "What else can you tell me about the SUMMER?" (answer: it's when there are no hurricanes)
Also notice the TO VISIT is an infinitive phrase that functions as a noun. When we ask the question "What else can you tell me about TO VISIT?", the relative clause doesn't really answer the question.
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent! I have the same
IN LONDON modifies the verb
IN LONDON modifies the verb LIVED, as in "Where did you do this living?" (Answer: in London). So, IN LONDON tells us more about the living.
From here, WHERE I ATTENDED UNIVERSITY tells us about LONDON, as in "Tell me more about London" (Answer: London is where I attended university).
Compare this to "Tell me more about the living you did." In this case, the answer "the living is where I attended university" makes no sense.
So, "where I attended university" must be modifying London.
Cheers,
Brent
Thank you so much! It helps a
Hi Brent!
I've a question on modifier "where"
Consider the sentence ' Singing is where my passion lies.'
I understand singing is not a physical location but can't even replace by 'in which'. Is my sentence flawed ?
Thank you!
This somewhat informal
This somewhat informal construction is fine for everyday English, but the GMAT would consider it incorrect.
That said, I doubt that GMAT test-makers would test this construction.
Also note that we could just write:
Singing is my passion
or
My passion lies in singing :-)
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent. In 4:18 I do not
The sentence: Haruki will
The sentence: Haruki will fire any employee who arrives late.
Great question, GMATTTer!
The key her is to recognize that the sentence has two verbs (FIRE and ARRIVES), and each verb has a different subject.
For the verb FIRE, we can see that the subject is HARUKI (since Haruki will perform the firing).
For the verb ARRIVES, we can see that the subject is EMPLOYEE (since the employee is performing the act of arriving).
Since WHO is taking the place of EMPLOYEE, we need the subjective form WHO.
Does that help?
Cheers,
Brent
5:26, Why is there no comma
Great question!
Great question!
ASIDE: I should mention that the sentence "I had a dream where I was chased by squirrels" is grammatically incorrect, since WHERE is used to modify a non-location.
Okay, so this question boils down to whether the modifier "where I was chased by squirrels" is VITAL or NON-VITAL (this concept is covered here: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-sentence-correction/video/1166)
So, we must ask "Without the modifier, is the noun under discussion clearly identified?"
Well, the clause "where I was chased by squirrels" modifies the noun DREAM.
If we IGNORE that clause, is the noun under discussion clearly identified?
I'd say the answer to that question is "no," since we're talking about a very specific dream.
As such, the clause "where I was chased by squirrels" is VITAL.
This means we shouldn't use a comma.
Does that help?
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent,
Why don't we use commas (see below) in the example shown in the video?
"The tree, whose branches overhang the street, is covered with blossoms."
Is it because in your opinion the modifier is vital to identify the tree?
Thanks,
Kevin
It all has to do with vital
It all has to do with vital versus non-vital modifiers.
If it's understood which particular tree the author is referring to, then the modifier (whose branches overhang the street) is non-vital, which means we need commas.
However, if we need extra information to determine which tree we're talking about, then the modifier is vital. In this case, we don't use commas.
More here: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-sentence-correction/video/1166
Cheers,
Brent
Understood! Thanks for the
Hi Brent,
Whoever ate my cookie will pay dearly.
"whoever ate my cookie" is a noun clause now that acts as a subject.
Anyone who ate my cookie will pay dearly.
Here this is "who ate my cookie" clause which is an adjective clause and is not a subject of a sentence anymore. "Anyone" is a subject.
Do I understand it correctly,
Thank you in advance
Your understanding is perfect
Your understanding is perfect. Nice work!
Hi Brent,
Is this sentence correct
Quinton will work on the project with whoever comes.?
We need the objective
We need the objective WHOMEVER.
Consider this sentence: Quinton will work with PERSON X.
QUENTIN is the subject and WORK is the verb. So, PERSON X is an object.
When we replace PERSON X with something else (like whoever/whomever), the replacement word will still be an object. So, we need WHOMEVER.
Does that help?
Cheers,
Brent
Unlike relative clauses
Modifiers typically modify
Modifiers typically modify either nouns or verbs. So, I don't believe that we can have a relative clause modify an independent clause.
Can you give me an example of a sentence where this applies?
Hi Brent, are both of the
The motorcyclist Luke helped was grateful.
The motorcyclist whom Luke helped was grateful.
Hi Hebe,
Hi Hebe,
Both of those sentences are correct.
Cheers, Brent
In the example "The stranded
In the first one the clause is "whom (object) Luke (subject) helped (verb)". But in the clause of second case "being grateful" is the verb and the object is "who".
Now I'm realising that "who was very grateful" might not be a relative clause, otherwise the sentence would mean that Luke only helped the stranded motorist who was grateful and potentially didn't help other motorists who weren't grateful.
Am I lost? I feel like I'm lost.
You're not lost :-)
You're not lost :-)
The sentence "Luke helped a stranded motorist who was very grateful" is perfectly fine.
In this case, WHO is a relative pronoun, and "who was very grateful" modifies MOTORIST.
Also noticed that, in the clause "who was very grateful," the verb is WAS, and the subject (performing the verb) is WHO (representing the motorist).
So everything is fine here.
Even though Clovis points,
Hi Brent,
In this question, option A is correct but I feel that it tries to join 2 independent sentences without fanboys.
please help.
Thanks,
Erik
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