Hi All ,
In MGMAT book it is written that "On the GMAT , do not use this or these in place of nouns."
So i am bit confused in the below example.
Researchers claim to have develop new "nano-papers" incorporating tiny cellulose fibers, which give "THESE MATERIALS" the strength of cast iron, according to the researchers.
Can you guys please explain why THESE is used in the above example.
Please explain guys.
Thanks,
Shreyans
Target Test Prep is 20% off right now!
Use code FLASH20
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
MGMAT SC
This topic has expert replies
-
j_shreyans
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:24 am
- Thanked: 3 times
- Followed by:5 members
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
ceilidh.erickson
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 2095
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:22 pm
- Thanked: 1443 times
- Followed by:247 members
In "these materials," "these" is acting as a modifier: it's telling us which materials we're talking about.
What the SC guide cautions against is the use of "this" or "these" to replace a noun altogether. For example:
"These taste good!"
"This isn't the one I wanted."
When "this" or "these" is used in this way, it's substituting for a noun or idea already mentioned - a noun which in implied. So really, we're just leaving out the noun that should be modified:
"These [cupcakes] taste good!"
"This [hat] isn't the one I wanted."
So in conclusion, these words are fine when modifying a noun (check out "these words" earlier in this very sentence!), but not when they're used to replace nouns.
What the SC guide cautions against is the use of "this" or "these" to replace a noun altogether. For example:
"These taste good!"
"This isn't the one I wanted."
When "this" or "these" is used in this way, it's substituting for a noun or idea already mentioned - a noun which in implied. So really, we're just leaving out the noun that should be modified:
"These [cupcakes] taste good!"
"This [hat] isn't the one I wanted."
So in conclusion, these words are fine when modifying a noun (check out "these words" earlier in this very sentence!), but not when they're used to replace nouns.
Ceilidh Erickson
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
