Sentence Correction

Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

OA E...What is wrong with A

The verb broadcast doesn't agree, since each of X is singular. On the other hand, the three networks each, or X each in general, is plural.

I believe "such as" is used only to introduce examples.

I am suspicious about "as when" in E.

Television can be superficial .... here the answer would give a reason ... But "as when" doesn't seem to be right ....any comments?

Thanks,
Viju

viju9162 wrote:I am suspicious about "as when" in E.

Television can be superficial .... here the answer would give a reason ... But "as when" doesn't seem to be right ....any comments?

Thanks,
Viju

Ron's view on the same query:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/pos ... tml#p25393

Here, "as" is being used to introduce an example.

Normally, this is the domain of "such as", but i think that "such as" is actually restricted to nouns and to things that can function as nouns (such as gerunds and noun phrases).

Since the example introduced here is a clause, not a noun, you use "as".

Hope that helps..

italian7745 wrote:Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

OA E...What is wrong with A

as when is an idiom.

as is part of many idioms: as usual, as always, etc.

Even as part of these idioms, the word as compares actions.

As usual, John ate all the cookies = John ate all the cookies, as he usually does.

In answer choice E, the implication is:

Television can be superficial, as when the three major networks each broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate = Television can be superficial, as it is when the three major networks each broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

Hope this helps!

GMATGuruNY wrote:

italian7745 wrote:Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

OA E...What is wrong with A

as when is an idiom.

as is part of many idioms: as usual, as always, etc.

Even as part of these idioms, the word as compares actions.

As usual, John ate all the cookies = John ate all the cookies, as he usually does.

In answer choice E, the implication is:

Television can be superficial, as when the three major networks each broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate = Television can be superficial, as it is when the three major networks each broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

Hope this helps!

Mitch,What's the problem with 'A'?

Answer choice A contains a subject-verb agreement error:

each of the three major networks broadcast (each is singular, broadcast is plural).

Answer choice A should read:

each of the three major networks broadcasts or the three major networks each broadcast.

GMATGuruNY wrote:Answer choice A contains a subject-verb agreement error:

each of the three major networks broadcast (each is singular, broadcast is plural).

Answer choice A should read:

each of the three major networks broadcasts or the three major networks each broadcast.

Hi Mitch - What seems to be the problem with C ? Is it because of the placement of 'All'?
I find it concise over other option E.

Can you throw some light on this? Thanks

samarpan_bschool wrote:

GMATGuruNY wrote:Answer choice A contains a subject-verb agreement error:

each of the three major networks broadcast (each is singular, broadcast is plural).

Answer choice A should read:

each of the three major networks broadcasts or the three major networks each broadcast.

Hi Mitch - What seems to be the problem with C ? Is it because of the placement of 'All'?
I find it concise over other option E.

Can you throw some light on this? Thanks

Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

Each is better because the intended meaning of the sentence is that each network is deciding on its own to broadcast the same statement. All would be better if the three networks were deciding to broadcast the same statement as a group.

The bigger issue is that answer choice C substitutes if for when. When indicates a situation that's certain; if suggests a situation that's conditional. Thus, replacing when with if changes the intended meaning of the sentence:

If you ace the GMAT, I will bake you a cake = I don't know whether you're going to ace the GMAT.

When you ace the GMAT, I will bake you a cake = I know that you're going to ace the GMAT.