The sale

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 1112
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:16 am
Thanked: 77 times
Followed by:49 members

The sale

by atulmangal » Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:13 am
The sale of government surplus machinery will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the supply lasts.
(A) will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the supply lasts
(B) begins at 9 a.m., continuing until the supply lasts
(C) will begin at 9 a.m. and, until the supply lasts, will continue
(D) begins at 9 a.m. and, as long as the supply may last, it continues
(E) will begin at 9 a.m. and continue as long as the supply lasts

I have seen this problem in an unofficial source...that's y i think the OA E is incorrect...
if anyone think that the OA is correct please share...
Last edited by atulmangal on Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Source: — Sentence Correction |

Legendary Member
Posts: 857
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:36 am
Thanked: 56 times
Followed by:15 members

by AIM GMAT » Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:18 am
Its a close fight between A and E . IMO E .

I find the use of word "until" bit inappropriate than "as long as"
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT

Legendary Member
Posts: 1112
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:16 am
Thanked: 77 times
Followed by:49 members

by atulmangal » Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:29 am
AIM GMAT wrote:Its a close fight between A and E . IMO E .

I find the use of word "until" bit inappropriate than "as long as"
My doubt is subject-verb agreement issue....sale is the subject...which is singular...."begin" and "continue" are plural verbs...

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1101
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 7:26 am
Thanked: 47 times
Followed by:13 members
GMAT Score:640

by HSPA » Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:50 am
There should be some coordination between
sale -- begins and supply -- lasts (A, B, E)

the sale begins at 9am and will continue untill the supply lasts
or
what is wrong with B...

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 286
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:36 pm
Location: Kolkata, India
Thanked: 11 times
Followed by:5 members

by pesfunk » Sun Mar 20, 2011 12:28 am
[spoiler]E is the correct option.

Until is used when we know the specific time.

Until 10 pm, Until Monday etc.

as long as should be used when end time is based on meeting condition(s)
atulmangal wrote:The sale of government surplus machinery will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the supply lasts.
(A) will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the supply lasts
(B) begins at 9 a.m., continuing until the supply lasts
(C) will begin at 9 a.m. and, until the supply lasts, will continue
(D) begins at 9 a.m. and, as long as the supply may last, it continues
(E) will begin at 9 a.m. and continue as long as the supply lasts

I have seen this problem in an unofficial source...that's y i think the OA E is incorrect...
if anyone think that the OA is correct please share...
[/spoiler]

Legendary Member
Posts: 1112
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:16 am
Thanked: 77 times
Followed by:49 members

by atulmangal » Sun Mar 20, 2011 3:48 am
pesfunk wrote:[spoiler]E is the correct option.

Until is used when we know the specific time.

Until 10 pm, Until Monday etc.

as long as should be used when end time is based on meeting condition(s)
atulmangal wrote:The sale of government surplus machinery will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the supply lasts.
(A) will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the supply lasts
(B) begins at 9 a.m., continuing until the supply lasts
(C) will begin at 9 a.m. and, until the supply lasts, will continue
(D) begins at 9 a.m. and, as long as the supply may last, it continues
(E) will begin at 9 a.m. and continue as long as the supply lasts

I have seen this problem in an unofficial source...that's y i think the OA E is incorrect...
if anyone think that the OA is correct please share...
[/spoiler]
What about the subject verb agreement....singular sale and plural begin???

Legendary Member
Posts: 586
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:38 am
Thanked: 31 times
Followed by:5 members
GMAT Score:730

by rohu27 » Sun Mar 20, 2011 4:03 am
look at it this way:

the sale will begin,
the salw will continue
use of will makes a diff here.
i guess when will is used plural form of the verb is used?
maybe someone else can throw more light on this..

atulmangal wrote:
AIM GMAT wrote:Its a close fight between A and E . IMO E .

I find the use of word "until" bit inappropriate than "as long as"
My doubt is subject-verb agreement issue....sale is the subject...which is singular...."begin" and "continue" are plural verbs...

• Page 1 of 1