Sentence Correction

Although appearing less appetizing than most of their
round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom
tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the
previous year-thev are often green and striped, or
have plenty of bumps and bruises-heirlooms are
more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
(A) Although appearing less appetizing than most of
their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year
(B) Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds
saved during the previous year, appear less
appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins
(C) Although they appear less appetizing than most
of their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year
(D) Grown from seeds saved during the previous
year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing
than most of their round and red supermarket
cousins
(E) Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year, although they appear
less appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

OAB

My question is regarding choice D.

OG explains as under: -
Beginning the sentence with the explanatory
clause grown from seeds... gives it too much
importance. It could be construed as the
reason why heirloom tomatoes appear less
appetizing,which is contrary to the truth.

my take: - grown is a past participle. A past participle is an adjective - modifies noun. Further, an introductory past participle modifies a noun that comes right after the comma. OG says that 'grown ...seeds' can be taken as reason for how less or more tomatoes look appetizing. My point is OG's explanation says it is a adverbial modifier (it is answering the question WHY tomatoes APPEAR....).

Experts please clarify.

Rajat

Hi Rajat,

Choice D does create the idea that the tomatoes appear less appetizing because they were grown from seeds. The sentence should be creating a contrast that although they appear less appetizing they are very tasty. But let's assume that you are correct in your analysis of the beginning of the sentence choice D is still missing the contrast which should be: Although X, Y. In this case although heirlooms appear less appetizing, heirlooms are more flavorful This is choice B.

Choice D says: Heirlooms appear less appetizing and Heirlooms are more flavorful. A correct version using this structure would be Heirlooms appear less appetizing and in fact do taste worse than other tomatoes OR Heirloom tomatoes look great and taste great. If you have an unexpected outcome you need to set up a contrast.

Does this help?

HG.

Thanks Herrgrau

But that's not my point. I am not debating for the right answer. I want to know about past participle and its function as a modifier. In this question, OG extends a reasoning that is different from what is generally understood.
Rajat

Hi,

You're welcome! Understood. My general thought on this is that you may be getting so technical that you are convincing yourself to a wrong answer. My main point with my post is that the issue that you were asking about was not the biggest issue with the choice that you were defending. So that even if you were right that answer is absolutely wrong because it does not set up a proper contrast. Does that make sense?

HG.

PS: I understand the desire to make very specific rules BUT often times the big picture gets you to the answer.

rajatvmittal wrote:Although appearing less appetizing than most of their
round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom
tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the
previous year-thev are often green and striped, or
have plenty of bumps and bruises-heirlooms are
more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

(A) Although appearing less appetizing than most of
their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(B) Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds
saved during the previous year, appear less
appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

(C) Although they appear less appetizing than most
of their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(D) Grown from seeds saved during the previous
year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing
than most of their round and red supermarket
cousins

(E) Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year, although they appear
less appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

OAB

The dashed portion (not underlined) is a PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT.
A parenthetical thought is not necessary; it can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
Combine each answer choice with the rest of the sentence, replacing the dashed portion with a COMMA.
The result must be a structurally sound sentence.

A: Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate A.

B: Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
This works.

C: Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate C.

D: Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
Here, a contrasting CONJUNCTION is needed to connect the two complete clauses: heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, BUT heirlooms are more flavorful.
Eliminate D.

E: Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.

GMATGuruNY wrote:
The dashed portion (not underlined) is a PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT.
A parenthetical thought is not necessary; it can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
Combine each answer choice with the rest of the sentence, replacing the dashed portion with a COMMA.
The result must be a structurally sound sentence.

Dear Mitch,
Normally, I have seen ONLY phrases as parenthetical thought.
Even then with a dash here it is quite clear to me that the emphasized words are in a Parenthesis.
In absence of a "dash", Is it possible to separate a full independent clause using comma in such a construction?

Further, I believe that use of comma instead of dash would be inappropriate and ambiguous here.

Although x Less Appetizing than Y(-description how-), they are more Flavorful.
If a Coma is used, than it will be unclear what is contrasted.

I also can go to B, judging only structure.

one question of PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT.

thank you Hunt Mint.

I thing that the parenthetical entity in B is a clause, which modify for previous clause " holome tomatoe appear..."

is that right?

but some time parenthetical entity can be a phrase as in the following

Mint Huntch- an exellent expert- help us learn gmat a lot.

in this cases, parenthetical entity is similar to appositive and dash can be replaced with comma.

is that right?

great discussion i learn a lot with this thread...cheers!!

GMATGuruNY wrote:

rajatvmittal wrote:Although appearing less appetizing than most of their
round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom
tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the
previous year-thev are often green and striped, or
have plenty of bumps and bruises-heirlooms are
more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

(A) Although appearing less appetizing than most of
their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(B) Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds
saved during the previous year, appear less
appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

(C) Although they appear less appetizing than most
of their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(D) Grown from seeds saved during the previous
year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing
than most of their round and red supermarket
cousins

(E) Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year, although they appear
less appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

OAB

The dashed portion (not underlined) is a PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT.
A parenthetical thought is not necessary; it can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
Combine each answer choice with the rest of the sentence, replacing the dashed portion with a COMMA.
The result must be a structurally sound sentence.

A: Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate A.

B: Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
This works.

C: Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate C.

D: Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
Here, a contrasting CONJUNCTION is needed to connect the two complete clauses: heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, BUT heirlooms are more flavorful.
Eliminate D.

E: Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.

Thanks, Mitch. This question looks much simpler after reading through your explanation. Much appreciated.

GMATGuruNY wrote:

rajatvmittal wrote:Although appearing less appetizing than most of their
round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom
tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the
previous year-thev are often green and striped, or
have plenty of bumps and bruises-heirlooms are
more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

(A) Although appearing less appetizing than most of
their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(B) Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds
saved during the previous year, appear less
appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

(C) Although they appear less appetizing than most
of their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(D) Grown from seeds saved during the previous
year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing
than most of their round and red supermarket
cousins

(E) Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year, although they appear
less appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

OAB

The dashed portion (not underlined) is a PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT.
A parenthetical thought is not necessary; it can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
Combine each answer choice with the rest of the sentence, replacing the dashed portion with a COMMA.
The result must be a structurally sound sentence.

A: Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate A.

B: Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
This works.

C: Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate C.

D: Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
Here, a contrasting CONJUNCTION is needed to connect the two complete clauses: heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, BUT heirlooms are more flavorful.
Eliminate D.

E: Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.

dear expert,

the dashed portion is like an appostive . is that right?

in this case, a total sentence is as appositive for another sentence. an appositive of a sentence must be a sentence. an appositive of a noun must be a noun

is that right?

GMATGuruNY wrote:

rajatvmittal wrote:Although appearing less appetizing than most of their
round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom
tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the
previous year-thev are often green and striped, or
have plenty of bumps and bruises-heirlooms are
more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

(A) Although appearing less appetizing than most of
their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(B) Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds
saved during the previous year, appear less
appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

(C) Although they appear less appetizing than most
of their round and red supermarket cousins,
heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year

(D) Grown from seeds saved during the previous
year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing
than most of their round and red supermarket
cousins

(E) Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved
during the previous year, although they appear
less appetizing than most of their round and red
supermarket cousins

OAB

The dashed portion (not underlined) is a PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT.
A parenthetical thought is not necessary; it can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
Combine each answer choice with the rest of the sentence, replacing the dashed portion with a COMMA.
The result must be a structurally sound sentence.

A: Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate A.

B: Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
This works.

C: Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate C.

D: Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
Here, a contrasting CONJUNCTION is needed to connect the two complete clauses: heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, BUT heirlooms are more flavorful.
Eliminate D.

E: Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
The subject in red lacks a verb.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.

Thank you very much! Your explanation is really clear!

GMATGuruNY wrote:
D: Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
Here, a contrasting CONJUNCTION is needed to connect the two complete clauses: heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, BUT heirlooms are more flavorful.
Eliminate D.

Mr. Hunt, I think D is also a run-on sentence here.

richachampion wrote:

GMATGuruNY wrote:
D: Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
Here, a contrasting CONJUNCTION is needed to connect the two complete clauses: heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, BUT heirlooms are more flavorful.
Eliminate D.

Mr. Hunt, I think D is also a run-on sentence here.

Yes dear,

Without a kind of conjunction in between,D is also a run-on sentence.