Can "which" not refer to the entire clause? There are questions in which "which" doesn't refer to the immediately preceding noun.
Also, in option C, doesn't "a fact that makes it difficult" is awkward as how can a fact make things difficult for graduates?
C) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us
Target Test Prep is 20% off right now!
Use code FLASH20
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
In the engineering sector
"which" does not HAVE to modify the noun that immediately precedes it. "which" can also modify a noun + a prep phrase that immediately precedes it.
The reason the use of "which" is still incorrect in this question is that, even though "which" may be modifying a prep-phrase, it still does not make sense in the sentence that it is used in.
In the engineeriing sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, jobs for those without experience(replacing "which") makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers.
The "jobs for those without experience" is not making it difficult for new grads to get started on their careers. It'ts the lack of the jobs currently, or the fact that there are no jobs currently, as the question suggests.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/04/ ... h-modifier
The reason the use of "which" is still incorrect in this question is that, even though "which" may be modifying a prep-phrase, it still does not make sense in the sentence that it is used in.
In the engineeriing sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, jobs for those without experience(replacing "which") makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers.
The "jobs for those without experience" is not making it difficult for new grads to get started on their careers. It'ts the lack of the jobs currently, or the fact that there are no jobs currently, as the question suggests.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/04/ ... h-modifier
Brian@VeritasPrep wrote:Pretty slick question, and let me echo kaulnikhil's explanation in a lot of ways.
You know that you're responsible for modifiers, and modifiers that begin with the word "which" are pretty clear - "which" must modify the word that comes directly next to it. So A, B, and D are out.
This is a pretty important strategic point - I don't know that it's altogether clear whether you couldn't say "In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs..." instead of "In the engineering sector there are no jobs at the moment..." - even though that's the first section of the underline, if you don't know that it's a decision that you're wholly capable of making, look to see if there's a more definite decision point. Here, "which" eliminates A and B (thereby making that decision for you), and narrows you down to two choices.
One other point on C vs. E - the choice between "us" vs. "we" is one of object vs. subject. Often times on those (like whom vs. who) the word that they might select is tougher to distinguish, so try this - replace "we" (or "who") with "he" (a pronoun only used as a subject) and "us" (or "whom") with "him" (an object pronoun) and try it out.
It is difficult for he to find a job..
vs.
It is difficult for him to find a job...
By using your own noun in subject/object determinations it can be a lot clearer which is necessary. Here, you need to use "him" (the object pronoun), so you'd have to use "us" as an object, and C is the only correct answer.
-
Taran
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:34 am
- Location: Pune, India
- Thanked: 1 times
- GMAT Score:680
In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers.
A) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we
B) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
C) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us
D) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
E) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we
'We' is the subject pronoun whereas 'Us' is the object pronoun. options A and E cannot be used because of this fact. One way of using 'we' is "We find it difficult to start our careers". Here we becomes the subject (who finds it difficult).
WE are left with B, C and D. (Only options B, C and D are left for US)
B and C are simply incorrect because 'which' modifies 'experience'. This means that experience is the reason for our difficulty. Option C clearly means that 'no jobs currently' is the reason for our difficulty. Hence c is correct.
A) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we
B) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
C) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us
D) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
E) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we
'We' is the subject pronoun whereas 'Us' is the object pronoun. options A and E cannot be used because of this fact. One way of using 'we' is "We find it difficult to start our careers". Here we becomes the subject (who finds it difficult).
WE are left with B, C and D. (Only options B, C and D are left for US)
B and C are simply incorrect because 'which' modifies 'experience'. This means that experience is the reason for our difficulty. Option C clearly means that 'no jobs currently' is the reason for our difficulty. Hence c is correct.
-
saketk
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:16 am
- Thanked: 37 times
- Followed by:8 members
These links might help you --mankey wrote:Brian, mentions that which always refers to the noun preceding comma but this is not always true. Some expert please clarify.
Thanks
Mankey
https://www.beatthegmat.com/when-to-use- ... tml#285629
https://www.beatthegmat.com/when-to-use- ... tml#285700
https://www.beatthegmat.com/which-vs-that-t20509.html
-
bpdulog
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:55 pm
- Thanked: 2 times
- Followed by:1 members
I chose D (came down to C and D in my case) but don't understand the explanations.
Which is modifying experience. So what? What is it supposed to modify then?
The lack of experience is what drives the second clause.
Which is modifying experience. So what? What is it supposed to modify then?
The lack of experience is what drives the second clause.
NO EXCUSES
"Winston tastes good like a cigarette should."
"Winston tastes good like a cigarette should."
-
prashant misra
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:39 pm
i was also confused between C and E and chose the wrong answer option E but still have a little doubt regarding the question
-
tuanquang269
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 296
- Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 5:10 am
- Location: Vietnam
- Thanked: 10 times
- Followed by:5 members
Eliminate sentences containing 'for we', and 'which' because "experience" cannot "make it bla bla"pawanagarwal wrote:In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers.
A) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we
B) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
C) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us
D) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
E) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we
-
ronnie1985
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 626
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 2:50 am
- Location: Ahmedabad
- Thanked: 31 times
- Followed by:10 members
(C) as which is for non-essential clauses
Follow your passion, Success as perceived by others shall follow you
-
Gaurav 2013-fall
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:45 pm
- Thanked: 12 times
- GMAT Score:700
Brian@VeritasPrep wrote:Pretty slick question, and let me echo kaulnikhil's explanation in a lot of ways.
You know that you're responsible for modifiers, and modifiers that begin with the word "which" are pretty clear - "which" must modify the word that comes directly next to it. So A, B, and D are out.
This is a pretty important strategic point - I don't know that it's altogether clear whether you couldn't say "In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs..." instead of "In the engineering sector there are no jobs at the moment..." - even though that's the first section of the underline, if you don't know that it's a decision that you're wholly capable of making, look to see if there's a more definite decision point. Here, "which" eliminates A and B (thereby making that decision for you), and narrows you down to two choices.
One other point on C vs. E - the choice between "us" vs. "we" is one of object vs. subject. Often times on those (like whom vs. who) the word that they might select is tougher to distinguish, so try this - replace "we" (or "who") with "he" (a pronoun only used as a subject) and "us" (or "whom") with "him" (an object pronoun) and try it out.
It is difficult for he to find a job..
vs.
It is difficult for him to find a job...
By using your own noun in subject/object determinations it can be a lot clearer which is necessary. Here, you need to use "him" (the object pronoun), so you'd have to use "us" as an object, and C is the only correct answer.
Hi,
Did you mean to say that 'which' modifies a word on its immediate left position?
-
Lifetron
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 12:51 am
- Thanked: 16 times
- Followed by:3 members
'Which' is wrong coz it refers to 'experience' and not the whole phrase. So, A B D out !pawanagarwal wrote:In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers.
A) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we
B) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
C) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us
D) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
E) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we
OA is C. But if someone can explain why, that will be great
'We' is wrong for obvious reasons ! E out !
Answer is C
-
Ganesh hatwar
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:23 pm
pawanagarwal wrote:In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers.
A) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we -- Us better than we
B) at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
C) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us
D) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us
E) there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we
Us better than we Eliminate A and E
Fact better than which .. as it is fact .. Eliminate B and D
So C!!
OA is C. But if someone can explain why, that will be great
-
chris558
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:07 am
- Followed by:1 members
There are a few errors that can be spotted when reading the sentence. First off, "at the moment" seems misplaced. It should be at the beginning of the sentence following a comma, or not there at all. Since the beginning of the sentence is not underlined, it should be eliminated. A and B are out.
Secondly, whenever you have a comma followed by "which", whatever comes after "which" needs to be describing what is in front of that comma. In this case, it is experience, and the sentence is illogically describing experience making it difficult for recent graduates to get started on their careers. D is out, leaving C and E.
The last problem with the sentence is "we recent graduates" which should set off a few alarms to your ear. If you were to end the sentence at "we", it would most cerntaily be wrong. It should be "us recent graduates". Elimiate E.
Answer is C.
Secondly, whenever you have a comma followed by "which", whatever comes after "which" needs to be describing what is in front of that comma. In this case, it is experience, and the sentence is illogically describing experience making it difficult for recent graduates to get started on their careers. D is out, leaving C and E.
The last problem with the sentence is "we recent graduates" which should set off a few alarms to your ear. If you were to end the sentence at "we", it would most cerntaily be wrong. It should be "us recent graduates". Elimiate E.
Answer is C.
-
Pratiti
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:06 pm
- Thanked: 4 times
- GMAT Score:730
OA is C
which should be preceded by what it is referring to.
Here it is referring to the inexperience, therefore, rule out A,B and D
Now for E which refers to non-essential therefore it should also be preceded by a ','
Therefore rule out E
OA is C
which should be preceded by what it is referring to.
Here it is referring to the inexperience, therefore, rule out A,B and D
Now for E which refers to non-essential therefore it should also be preceded by a ','
Therefore rule out E
OA is C
