Ptolemys in Alexandria

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Ptolemys in Alexandria

by nicktim » Sat Jun 15, 2013 12:52 am
Source: GMAT Prep

In Alexandria, the Ptolemys founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

A. so as
B. in which
C. and
D. whereby
E. by which

Can someone please explain why answer choice A / B is correct / incorrect?

Thank you :)
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by fcabanski » Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:41 am
A. "So as" is not English idiom. Eliminate ", so" would describe why he founded the library. "so as to store the written remains..." would also describe why he founded the library.
B. "In which" is a formal way of specifying location - keep it for now.
C. "And" is a coordinating conjunction. Correct use: Independent clause, and Independent clause. There's no comma, so eliminate.
D and E. Both "whereby" and "by which" describe method (how). There is no mention of how Ptolemy founded the library.

The answer is B.
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by nicktim » Sat Jun 15, 2013 1:46 pm
fcabanski wrote:A. "So as" is not English idiom. Eliminate ", so" would describe why he founded the library. "so as to store the written remains..." would also describe why he founded the library.
B. "In which" is a formal way of specifying location - keep it for now.
C. "And" is a coordinating conjunction. Correct use: Independent clause, and Independent clause. There's no comma, so eliminate.
D and E. Both "whereby" and "by which" describe method (how). There is no mention of how Ptolemy founded the library.

The answer is B.
Yep, B is the correct answer. Thanks. I didn't know that "so as" is not idiomatic.

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