BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

like vs not Unlike

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
MBA Student
Posts: 1194
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:42 pm
Location: Paris, France
Thanked: 71 times
Followed by:17 members
GMAT Score:710

like vs not Unlike

by gmat740 » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:34 am
While Jackie Robinson was a Brooklyn Dodger, his courage in the face of physical threats and verbal attacks was not unlike that of Rosa Parks, who refused to move to the back of a bus in Montgomery,Alabama

(A) not unlike that of Rosa Parks, who refused
(B) not unlike Rosa Parks, who refused
(C) like (Rosa Parks and her refusal
(D) like that of Rosa Parks for refusing
(E) as that of Rosa Parks, who refused

OA A
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 682
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:40 am
Thanked: 32 times
Followed by:1 members

Re: like vs not Unlike

by Vemuri » Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:34 am
Good Question. What is the source?

"not unlike" - 2 negatives makes it positive. So, its basically saying 'like'

Now, what is being compared? Jackie Robinson's courage is being compared to the courage of Rosa Parks.

'Like' should be used to show similarity & 'as' is used to compare 2 nouns performing 2 actions. This this case, 'like' is the correct usage. So, E is out.

A- Correct comparison
B - Wrong comparison. Courage of Jackie Robinson is being compared to Rosa Parks.
C - Wrong comparison & awkward construction
D - Awkward construction
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1035
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm
Thanked: 104 times
Followed by:1 members

by scoobydooby » Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:34 am
A. correct as compares apples to apples. courage of JR compared to courage of Rosa. "who refused" correct modifies Rosa

B. compares "courage" of JR to Rosa Parks herself hence incorrect

C. likens "courage" of JR to Rosa Parks+her refusal, hence incorrect

D. Rosa Park's courage for refusing does not make sense

E. uses "as" to compare courage which is a noun. "as" normally compares clauses and "like" compares nouns.
Top
User avatar
MBA Student
Posts: 1194
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:42 pm
Location: Paris, France
Thanked: 71 times
Followed by:17 members
GMAT Score:710

by gmat740 » Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:48 am
'
Like' should be used to show similarity & 'as' is used to compare 2 nouns performing 2 actions. This this case, 'like' is the correct usage. So, E is out.
Don't you think we should use as to compare courage rather than Like

I think Like is used to compare Nouns and as is used to compare abstract entities.

Thanks
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 46
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 3:09 pm
Thanked: 1 times
GMAT Score:720

by anishprabhu » Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:59 am
I believe 'courage' in this sentence is a noun and hence the use of 'like'
Top
User avatar
MBA Student
Posts: 1194
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:42 pm
Location: Paris, France
Thanked: 71 times
Followed by:17 members
GMAT Score:710

by gmat740 » Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:58 am
I thought courage is a quality and hence adjective.Please correct me if this is wrong!

@vemuri

The source is OG-10
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1035
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm
Thanked: 104 times
Followed by:1 members

by scoobydooby » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:17 am
courage is a noun. courageous is the adjective form
Top
User avatar
MBA Student
Posts: 1194
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:42 pm
Location: Paris, France
Thanked: 71 times
Followed by:17 members
GMAT Score:710

by gmat740 » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:39 am
Thanks for clearing my doubt.
I thought Courage is adjective...
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1