'began' is the simple past of action verb 'begin'. So is 'merged' - simple past of merge.
'was' - a linking verb. it's also the simple past of 'be' (was, were)
so in 'B' the comparison is among parallel form of verbs.
Also, if OG mentions 'probably not X but more than likely Y' as an idiom, it's better to stick with it as long as you are in gmatland.
Thanks...
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According to scholars...a diagnostic question..help plz~
Excellent! I got it. Thanks very much, Mitch!!!
From this question, I know that GMAT doesn't always make sentenses perfectly parallel because sometimes a sentense like this one can hardly be made parallel. I used to think that X and Y should perfectly be parallel. It is not the case.
Thanks again! Learn a lot from this question.
From this question, I know that GMAT doesn't always make sentenses perfectly parallel because sometimes a sentense like this one can hardly be made parallel. I used to think that X and Y should perfectly be parallel. It is not the case.
Thanks again! Learn a lot from this question.
Stacey's big fan.
Sorry to restart an old thread, but I am still a little stuck on Mitch's explanation for choice A.
A) ...the early writing was probably....but was more likely to begin...and only later merged. Not parallel
Shouldn't the first "was" be parallel with the second "was"? (As in "but was more likely...")
Is the reason that Mitch marked "to begain" in red b/c "was more likely" is some how acting as a noun, like a simple gerund? (IE: Tracking Satellites is what I do for fun.)
Thanks!
A) ...the early writing was probably....but was more likely to begin...and only later merged. Not parallel
Shouldn't the first "was" be parallel with the second "was"? (As in "but was more likely...")
Is the reason that Mitch marked "to begain" in red b/c "was more likely" is some how acting as a noun, like a simple gerund? (IE: Tracking Satellites is what I do for fun.)
Thanks!
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GMATGuruNY
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In A, was more likely to begin means that there was a high probability that the writing would begin. The intended meaning of the sentence is to discuss not what the writing was likely to do but what it likely did:OneTwoThreeFour wrote:Sorry to restart an old thread, but I am still a little stuck on Mitch's explanation for choice A.
A) ...the early writing was probably....but was more likely to begin...and only later merged. Not parallel
Shouldn't the first "was" be parallel with the second "was"? (As in "but was more likely...")
Is the reason that Mitch marked "to begain" in red b/c "was more likely" is some how acting as a noun, like a simple gerund? (IE: Tracking Satellites is what I do for fun.)
Thanks!
...the writing was probably not X...but more than likely began as Y...and only later merged with Z.
To convey the intended meaning, the verbs highlighted in red need to be parallel and in the simple past tense.
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Thanks you Mitch, you had a great explanation. I was struggling with this of diagnostic answer. Agree that compassion structure sometimes are not perfect. Because we have the noun ' the earliest writing' as central noun. Need to compare parallel verbs: .........was......began......merged.....
Eliminated D and E because ' it' make the ' not only....but also' not comparable structure
C : was incorrect verb tense ' began' instead of ' beginning'
A: hard time to elimiate because didn't see the unparalleled verb: ' was...... To begin......'
Tough one
Eliminated D and E because ' it' make the ' not only....but also' not comparable structure
C : was incorrect verb tense ' began' instead of ' beginning'
A: hard time to elimiate because didn't see the unparalleled verb: ' was...... To begin......'
Tough one
Dear Mith
What about the idiom: "likely" should follow "that" OR ".....is likely to...."
This idiomatic construction is not seen in the correct answer.
pls reply.
What about the idiom: "likely" should follow "that" OR ".....is likely to...."
This idiomatic construction is not seen in the correct answer.
pls reply.
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GMATGuruNY
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Likely typically serves as an ADJECTIVE.krishna239455 wrote:Dear Mith
What about the idiom: "likely" should follow "that" OR ".....is likely to...."
This idiomatic construction is not seen in the correct answer.
pls reply.
The team is likely to win the game.
Here, likely is an adjective modifying the team.
It is likely that the team will win the game.
Here, likely is an adjective modifying the following clause: that the team will win the game is LIKELY.
In the SC above, likely serves as an ADVERB -- a less common usage.
To be specific, more than likely modifies began: the earliest writing MORE THAN LIKELY began as a separate and distinct system.
This usage of likely is correct.
When likely serves as an adverb, it usually is preceded by another modifier:
MORE THAN likely
QUITE likely
VERY likely
etc.
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Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
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