Participle vs Relative Clause

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kuiper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 24; Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:27 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by kuiper » Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:28 pm

I have seen some examples of participle usage vs relative clause 'that'. I am not sure if the usage depends entirely on meaning being conveyed by the sentence or if there are certain rules that are followed.

Here are two sentences -

1. Any team losing five games is eliminated from the league

2. Any team that loses five games is eliminated from the league

Is there one that is preferred over the other? Any other alternative examples would be helpful too.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:28 pm

Isaac@EconomistGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 97; Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:39 amFollowed by: 20 members; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 22 times

by Isaac@EconomistGMAT » Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:45 pm

A very good question.

See # 133 in the Official Guide, 12th Edition.

Indeed the participial is more concise than the clause, and this is what the GMAT prefers, as long as there is no awkwardness or ambiguity problems (among others). What you need to be careful of is simply the modifier mistake that can arise when using the participial phrases and possibly the tense that s conveyed. In the example you put forward, both sentences mean the same thing with the first being more concise.

Isaac Bettan
Academic Director
Master GMAT
https://econgm.at/EconomistGMAT
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kuiper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 24; Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:27 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by kuiper » Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:33 pm

Issac,

I am glad you pointed that out. This is one example where I ended up choosing 'that require' in option C instead of "requiring" in B, which is the correct answer.

Can you advise on why 'requiring' is correct?

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kuiper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 24; Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:27 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by kuiper » Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:40 pm

Actually - when I look at it again -

compliance with laws .......... is protecting adult sea turtles - just sounds correct over

compliance with laws ..... .... protect adult sea turtle....

Probably because protection is still taking place. I realize protect does not sound right but I am not sure if I can give a reason for it.

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rishab1988: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 332; Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:50 pmFollowed by: 7 members; Thanked: 41 times; GMAT Score:720

by rishab1988 » Fri Nov 26, 2010 2:21 pm

This is a S-V agreement issue in the sentence you posted.

Compliance is singular-hence is protecting

Compliance -protects and not protect

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kuiper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 24; Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:27 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by kuiper » Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:16 pm

Thanks for pointing it out

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