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"in contrast to" vs "in contrast with" a

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by vinay2 » Sun Oct 10, 2010 3:20 pm
In Contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.

A) In contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.
B) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, Mahler uses dissonance much more freely.
C) In Contrast to those of Haydn, the symphonies of Mahler demonstrate a much more free use of dissonance.
D) In contrast to Haydn's symphonies, Mahler's demonstrate a much freer use of dissonance.
E) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, those of Mahler use dissonance much more freely.

I eliminated A, B, and C, but picked E over D. However, the OA in Kaplan 800 was D. Kaplan 800 says the OA is D, and says in contrast with is incorrect, and that it should be in contrast to. However, OG considers both these idioms correct (also confirmed by MGMAT 3rd edition SC pg 187 on idioms). In fact, per MGMAT (3rd edition, SC, Comparisons, Pg 164), More freely is right and Freer is wrong! (adverbs that take -ly form should use more -ly instead of -er form).

So, clearly, the answer should be E and not D. Thoughts? (Especially on the more freely vs much freer part).
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by Jim@Grockit » Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:19 pm
vinay2 wrote:In Contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.

A) In contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.
B) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, Mahler uses dissonance much more freely.
C) In Contrast to those of Haydn, the symphonies of Mahler demonstrate a much more free use of dissonance.
D) In contrast to Haydn's symphonies, Mahler's demonstrate a much freer use of dissonance.
E) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, those of Mahler use dissonance much more freely.

I eliminated A, B, and C, but picked E over D. However, the OA in Kaplan 800 was D. Kaplan 800 says the OA is D, and says in contrast with is incorrect, and that it should be in contrast to. However, OG considers both these idioms correct (also confirmed by MGMAT 3rd edition SC pg 187 on idioms). In fact, per MGMAT (3rd edition, SC, Comparisons, Pg 164), More freely is right and Freer is wrong! (adverbs that take -ly form should use more -ly instead of -er form).

So, clearly, the answer should be E and not D. Thoughts? (Especially on the more freely vs much freer part).
"Freer" is an adjective, and can modify nouns. "More freely" is an adverb, and can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. I can't think of any adverbs that take -er for the comparative form -- they're all adjectives. Note that "freer" in D modifies the noun "use" and the adverb phrase "more freely" modifies the verb "use"; both uses are grammatically correct.

The most common "contrast" idioms are "in contrast to" and "contrasted with".
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by pharmxanthan » Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:15 pm
What is wrong with C?
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by muralimba » Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:43 pm
Two simple points to get to D, the correct answer.

1) "In contrast to" is a preferred idiom -- B and E out
2) Haydn's symphonies / Mahler's symphonies is preferred than symphonies-of-Haydn/symphonies-of-Mahler. The reason for this is that Haydn is human and "symphony" is not a human body related thing such as eyes (eyes of Haydn -- correct), hands etc. -- A and C out.

Hope it helps.

Regards,
Murali.

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by diebeatsthegmat » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:15 am
pharmxanthan wrote:What is wrong with C?
problem with C is " more free" , should be freer
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by brijesh » Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:35 am
vinay2 wrote:In Contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.

A) In contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.
B) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, Mahler uses dissonance much more freely.
C) In Contrast to those of Haydn, the symphonies of Mahler demonstrate a much more free use of dissonance.
D) In contrast to Haydn's symphonies, Mahler's demonstrate a much freer use of dissonance.
E) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, those of Mahler use dissonance much more freely.

So, clearly, the answer should be E and not D. Thoughts? (Especially on the more freely vs much freer part).
(

In E, I see the use of comparative adjectives: much (quantity) and more (number) together--much more freely which i think not a suitable use...experts comments Plz
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by bvn » Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:53 am
vinay2 wrote:In Contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.

A) In contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.
B) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, Mahler uses dissonance much more freely.
C) In Contrast to those of Haydn, the symphonies of Mahler demonstrate a much more free use of dissonance.
D) In contrast to Haydn's symphonies, Mahler's demonstrate a much freer use of dissonance.
E) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, those of Mahler use dissonance much more freely.

I eliminated A, B, and C, but picked E over D. However, the OA in Kaplan 800 was D. Kaplan 800 says the OA is D, and says in contrast with is incorrect, and that it should be in contrast to. However, OG considers both these idioms correct (also confirmed by MGMAT 3rd edition SC pg 187 on idioms). In fact, per MGMAT (3rd edition, SC, Comparisons, Pg 164), More freely is right and Freer is wrong! (adverbs that take -ly form should use more -ly instead of -er form).

So, clearly, the answer should be E and not D. Thoughts? (Especially on the more freely vs much freer part).
I think the 2 main reasons why D is correct.

1, Those of Mahler CAN NOT use dissonance. They are just symphonies, inanimate
2, Mahler's is more concise and more succinct

Is that cut any ice to you?
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by vikram4689 » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:02 pm
Kaplan says - In option C, replacing freer with more free is wrong. WHY ? both of these are adjectives and modify NOUN - use[/b]
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