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 1
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 1 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 1:00 to 4:00 PM ET
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
EALiveTeachOnDemand5 seats leftStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
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

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Having Modifier

Expert replies
by Benni » Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:55 pm
Hi,

I have a question regarding OG 13, OA 70:
The first trenches that were cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence for centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East that were arising simultaneously with but independently of the more celebrated city-states of southern Mesopotamia, in what is now southern Iraq.


A. that were cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence for centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East that were arising simultaneously with but

B. that were cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, yields strong evidence that centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East were arising simultaneously with but also

C. having been cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East were arising simultaneously but

D. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, yields strong evidence of centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arising simultaneously but also

E. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arose simultaneously with but

OA E

I see that C is wrong, as "arising simultaneously" needs preposition with. But what I do not understand is the "having been cut" part. The OG explaination is, that "having been cut" is too wordy. Firstly, this is a participle, isn't it? Secondly, The past participle modifier tells us, that it stands for a tense, prior to the tense it modifies. Hence, having been cut (...), have yielded stands for "The first trences had been cut into a (...), have yielded...". How could it been "too wordy". The GMAT explaination conveys, that "having been cut" and "cut" could be used interchangable.


Please please help me. I can' t explain my problem better. :( :(
Join the discussion
Source: — Sentence Correction |

by Kasia@EconomistGMAT » Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:52 am
Firstly, you need to realize that "cut" is a participle too and not a conjugated verb. The verb "cut" ca be tricky because in most sentences it looks the same regardless of the tense (unconjugated form - "cut", the Past Simple form - "cut" and the Past Participle also - "cut"). So the interpretation what form it is in depends solely on the context.
In this particular question, the word "cut" is a past participle and its meaning is very similar to the one of "having been cut." It conveys a very similar idea about the trenches - that they WERE CUT into a 500-acre site some time ago. The participle "having been cut" highlights the fact that the action happened in the past.

Compare the following sentences:
Having been cut into pieces, the documents could not be used as evidence.
Cut into pieces, the documents could not be used as evidence.
Kasia
Senior Instructor
Master GMAT - the #1 rated GMAT course

• If you found my post helpful, please click the "thank" button and/or follow me.

• Take a 7 day free trial and find out why Economist GMAT is the highest rated GMAT course - https://gmat.economist.com/

• Read GMAT Economist reviews - https://reviews.beatthegmat.com/economis ... mat-course
Join the discussion