Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

The usage of "by"

Expert replies
by yvonne0923 » Thu May 19, 2011 5:20 pm
51. Whereas a ramjet generaly cannot achieve high speeds without the initial assistance of a rocket, high speeds can be attained by scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, in that they reduce airflow compression at the entrance of the engine and letting air pass through at supersonic speeds.

A. high speeds can be attained by scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, in that they reduce
B. that high speeds can be attained by scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, is a ressult of their reducing
C. the ability of scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, to achieve high speed is because they reduce
D. scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjeets, have the ability of attaining high speeds when reducing
E. scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, can attain high speeds by reducing


































_________________________________________________________________________________________________

My answer is D, and O.A is E. The reason I chose D is because that I have concern about the usage of passive voice whenever the word "by" appears in the sentence. In this case,"high speeds can be attained by..." rather than "high speeds by reducing". Why we don't emphasize the form "be+past tense of verb+by" here?

Thanks.
Join the discussion
Source: — Sentence Correction |

by HSPA » Thu May 19, 2011 7:31 pm
IMO E,

D has a semicolon and after that there is no subject.
First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
Regards,
HSPA.
Join the discussion

by yvonne0923 » Thu May 19, 2011 9:24 pm
HSPA wrote:IMO E,

D has a semicolon and after that there is no subject.
Thanks. but what about the usage of "by" here? Should we pay attention to the form of passive voice "can be attained by..."?
Join the discussion

by Frankenstein » Fri May 20, 2011 6:00 am
Hi,
He is just comparing what Ramjet cannot and what scramjets can, so it is more of parallel construction. The usage of 'by' is to emphasize how the desired result is achieved. There is nothing passive in the sentence.

Cheers!
Join the discussion

by niksworth » Fri May 20, 2011 6:52 am
yvonne0923 wrote: My answer is D, and O.A is E. The reason I chose D is because that I have concern about the usage of passive voice whenever the word "by" appears in the sentence. In this case,"high speeds can be attained by..." rather than "high speeds by reducing". Why we don't emphasize the form "be+past tense of verb+by" here?

Thanks.
There is nothing passive about the sentence. by reducing.... is just a prepositional phrase!

E.g. He will overcome anxiety by meditating every day. - The part in italics is a prepositional phrase. The sentence is active.
scio me nihil scire
Join the discussion

by niksworth » Fri May 20, 2011 6:53 am
HSPA wrote:IMO E,

D has a semicolon and after that there is no subject.
Where did you find a semicolon in D? I can't find one.
scio me nihil scire
Join the discussion

by aspirant2011 » Fri May 20, 2011 7:46 am
Whereas a ramjet generaly cannot achieve high speeds without the initial assistance of a rocket high speeds can be attained by scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, in that they reduce airflow compression at the entrance of the engine and letting air pass through at supersonic speeds.

A. high speeds can be attained by scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, in that they reduce -------> usage of "in that" is wrong in GMAT
B. that high speeds can be attained by scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, is a ressult of their reducing -------> "comma + that" wrong usage
C. the ability of scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, to achieve high speed is because they reduce ------> "ability to" is the correct idiom
D. scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjeets, have the ability of attaining high speeds when reducing -------> wrong idiom
E. scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, can attain high speeds by reducing --------> parallelism
Join the discussion

by atulmangal » Fri May 20, 2011 10:33 am
"CAN" is always preferred over "having an ability"

+1 for E
Join the discussion

by yvonne0923 » Fri May 20, 2011 10:38 am
niksworth wrote:
yvonne0923 wrote: My answer is D, and O.A is E. The reason I chose D is because that I have concern about the usage of passive voice whenever the word "by" appears in the sentence. In this case,"high speeds can be attained by..." rather than "high speeds by reducing". Why we don't emphasize the form "be+past tense of verb+by" here?

Thanks.
There is nothing passive about the sentence. by reducing.... is just a prepositional phrase!

E.g. He will overcome anxiety by meditating every day. - The part in italics is a prepositional phrase. The sentence is active.
Thanks for the post!
Join the discussion