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distinguish x from y or distinguish between x and y ???

Expert replies

by mundasingh123 » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:39 am
e-GMAT wrote:consider you an expert" is correct. "consider you to be an expert" is wrong
Yes this is correct. This is an idiomatic usage of the word "consider".

I learn English to go to USA" is correct. " I learn English for going to USA" is wrong
Yes this is correct. The reason is that we are expressing intention for the action - learn English. And when we want to express intention, we should use "to verb".

"I learn English so that I can learn MBA". "I learn English so that I would learn MBA" is wrong.
This is correct. This is purely a tense issue. "would" is in past tense so does not fit with the sentence in present context - I learn English...

As you can see 2 out of 3 above are purely based on the meaning. So try to understand the underlying reason behind such usages. :)

Payal
hi payal, you said would is in past tense.Isnt could also in past tense.
if would is the past form of will, then could is also a past form of can
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by e-GMAT » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:09 am
Hi mundasingh123,

Yes you are correct that "could" is past tense form of "can". Were you just making a statement or did you have a question? Please clarify if you have a question for me :)

Payal
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by mundasingh123 » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:13 am
e-GMAT wrote:Hi mundasingh123,

Yes you are correct that "could" is past tense form of "can". Were you just making a statement or did you have a question? Please clarify if you have a question for me :)

Payal
Payal You stated the following
"would" is in past tense so does not fit with the sentence in present context - I learn English...


You eliminated the use of would on the grounds that would does not fit with the sentence because its in past tense .
So, how come could fits with the sentence
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by e-GMAT » Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:10 am
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by bubbliiiiiiii » Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:04 pm
e-GMAT wrote:
aspirant2011 wrote: Hydrocarbons, with which fruit flies perfume themselves in species-specific blends, are known to be important in courtship, and apparently this assists flies that taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates to distinguish their own species from that of others.

A. and apparently this assists flies that taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates to distinguish their own species from that of
B. and apparently this assists flies when they taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates in distinguishing their own species from those of
C. which apparently assists flies that tastes the hydrocarbons on prospective mates in being able to distinguish their own species from
D. apparently assisting flies to taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates to distinguish their own species from those of
E. apparently assisting flies that taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates in distinguishing their own species from ----- I feel comparison is not proper

I am confused with D option also as I am not liking to distinguish their own species from species of others
Hi aspirant2011,

First of all choice D is not the correct answer. There are two major errors in choice D. And both pertain to the meaning of the sentence. I will give you some hints.

1: Per the original sentence think about what the hydrocarbons facilitate? Is this the same thing that is communicated by choice D?
2: Now focus on the comparison. What is being compared in choice D (same error exists in choice A as well).
Entity 1 - Their own species
Entity 2 - those of others
What do "those" and "others" refer to in choice D?

As far as distinguish x from y idiom goes, I have already discussed that in my previous post.

:)
Payal
Hi Payal/Aspirant,

Can you please provide answers to the questions put so that I can clarify my understanding. I am asking this specifically because I feel I am lacking in understanding the meaning of sentence. So, as E-GMAT always suggests (which I totally respect) I would like to start analyzing the sentences from meaning perspective and then jump into grammar. Please help.

I think this strategy is going to put me through another tough phase .. but anything to achieve a 40+ in verbal from my current levet of 32.

Your help is very much solicited.
Regards,

Pranay
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by akhpad » Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:36 am
Hydrocarbons, with which fruit flies perfume themselves in species-specific blends, are known to be important in courtship, and apparently this assists flies that taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates to distinguish their own species from that of others.

A. and apparently this assists flies that taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates to distinguish their own species from that of
B. and apparently this assists flies when they taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates in distinguishing their own species from those of
C. which apparently assists flies that tastes the hydrocarbons on prospective mates in being able to distinguish their own species from
D. apparently assisting flies to taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates to distinguish their own species from those of
E. apparently assisting flies that taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates in distinguishing their own species from

I believe that correct answer must be E.

A: distinguish their own species from that of others => Wrong
B: distinguishing their own species from those of others => Wrong
C: Hydrocarbons assists => intended meaning
D: distinguish their own species from those of others => Wrong
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by e-GMAT » Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:33 pm
Sorry for taking so long to provide the answers to these questions. Here you go. Let me know if you have any questions!
1: Per the original sentence think about what the hydrocarbons facilitate? Is this the same thing that is communicated by choice D?
Per the original sentence hydrocarbons are important in courtship. Then the sentence explains why this is so. The fruit flies use some specific hydrocarbons to perfume themselves. This facilitates in identification of the prospective mates. Basically flies that taste hydrocarbons on prospective mates know which hydrocarbon belongs to their own species and hence by the taste check, they now decide the prospective mates. (Pass the taste check!)

Per choice D - hydrocarbons are important in courtship. This is because the hydrocarbons assist flies to taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates so that the flies can distinguish between mates of their species and mates of other species.

Notice the difference in the explanation for why hydrocarbons are important in courtship. Choice d states that hydrocarbons assist in tasting. This is not the intended message per choice A.
2: Now focus on the comparison. What is being compared in choice D (same error exists in choice A as well).
Entity 1 - Their own species
Entity 2 - those of others
What do "those" and "others" refer to in choice D?
Both "those" and "others" refer to the species. And hence the comparison in choice D is incorrect.
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by siddhans » Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:53 am
e-GMAT wrote:Sorry for taking so long to provide the answers to these questions. Here you go. Let me know if you have any questions!
1: Per the original sentence think about what the hydrocarbons facilitate? Is this the same thing that is communicated by choice D?
Per the original sentence hydrocarbons are important in courtship. Then the sentence explains why this is so. The fruit flies use some specific hydrocarbons to perfume themselves. This facilitates in identification of the prospective mates. Basically flies that taste hydrocarbons on prospective mates know which hydrocarbon belongs to their own species and hence by the taste check, they now decide the prospective mates. (Pass the taste check!)

Per choice D - hydrocarbons are important in courtship. This is because the hydrocarbons assist flies to taste the hydrocarbons on prospective mates so that the flies can distinguish between mates of their species and mates of other species.

Notice the difference in the explanation for why hydrocarbons are important in courtship. Choice d states that hydrocarbons assist in tasting. This is not the intended message per choice A.
2: Now focus on the comparison. What is being compared in choice D (same error exists in choice A as well).
Entity 1 - Their own species
Entity 2 - those of others
What do "those" and "others" refer to in choice D?


Both "those" and "others" refer to the species. And hence the comparison in choice D is incorrect.
Shouldnt those and others refer to species in D ? Why is those and others incorrect if its referring to species in D? What am i missing here? Also, why is choice a and b wrong ?
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by e-GMAT » Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:54 am
Hi siddhans,

That's precisely what is wrong with choice D. If both those and others refer to species, then it implies that the sentence states - species of species. And this does not make sense.

to distinguish their own species from species of species.

Hope this helps.

Payal
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by divineacclivity » Tue Jun 03, 2014 3:29 am
Hello Payale,

I still have doubts about "... in distinguishing their own species from others" in option D

I'll take an example:
" ... in distinguishing his own house from that of his friend"
or
" ... in distinguishing his own house from his friend's"

we'd never say "... in distinguishing his own house from his friend". that sounds just wrong.

Does "from others" in option E refer to " from species of others" like in "others' (others apostrophe)"?

thanks in advance.
e-GMAT wrote:Hi siddhans,

That's precisely what is wrong with choice D. If both those and others refer to species, then it implies that the sentence states - species of species. And this does not make sense.

to distinguish their own species from species of species.

Hope this helps.

Payal
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