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It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, suc

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by aspirant2011 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:49 am
It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, such as the formation of planetary nebulas, may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other at close range.

(A) may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other
(B) may be caused by the interaction between two stars that each orbit the other
(C) are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other
(D) are caused by the interaction of two stars where each is orbiting the other
(E) are caused by the interaction of two stars orbiting each other

[spoiler]OA: Have one confusion i.e is interation between an idiom????? if yes then how is E correct????[/spoiler]
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by Frankenstein » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:10 am
Hi,
interaction between and interaction of are both idioms
As we have used 'likely', usage of may be is redundant. A,B are out
'because of' can never follow simple 'to+be' form. It can follow only a normal verb.
C is out
'where' is used to refer to a place.
D is out

Hence, E
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by aspirant2011 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:24 am
Frankenstein wrote:Hi,
interaction between and interaction of are both idioms
As we have used 'likely', usage of may be is redundant. A,B are out
'because of' can never follow simple 'to+be' form. It can follow only a normal verb.
C is out
'where' is used to refer to a place.
D is out

Hence, E
Hi Frankenstein,

Thanks a lot for your response but how is because of in option C following simple to + be form?????
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by Frankenstein » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:30 am
aspirant2011 wrote: Hi Frankenstein,

Thanks a lot for your response but how is because of in option C following simple to + be form?????
Hi,
By 'to be' form I mean not just 'to be'. It includes am,is,are,was,were,has been,have been...
So, ...are because of (Incorrect)
...are caused because of (Correct)
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by vineeshp » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:39 am
Frankenstein wrote:Hi,
interaction between and interaction of are both idioms
As we have used 'likely', usage of may be is redundant. A,B are out
'because of' can never follow simple 'to+be' form. It can follow only a normal verb.
C is out
'where' is used to refer to a place.
D is out

Hence, E
Brilliant! Is this rule explained anywhere in MGMAT SC?
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)
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by Frankenstein » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:41 am
vineeshp wrote: Brilliant! Is this rule explained anywhere in MGMAT SC?
Hi,
I have no idea. I haven't referred it. I don't think any SC book covers all these rules. But, I have seen this in one of Ron's posts on MGMAT forums.
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by GMATGuruNY » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:17 am
vineeshp wrote:
Frankenstein wrote:Hi,

'because of' can never follow simple 'to+be' form. It can follow only a normal verb.
Hence, E
Brilliant! Is this rule explained anywhere in MGMAT SC?
The issue becomes clearer if we reverse the thought:

Because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other, a number of astronomical phenomena are.

They are what exactly? The thought is incomplete.

Another issue in C: the modifier that orbit each other suggests an action that might be separate from the interaction. The intended meaning of the sentence is that the two actions are connected. The phrasing in E -- the interaction of two stars orbiting each other -- is better because the present participle makes it clear that the orbiting happens at the same time as the interaction.
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by gmat25 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:18 am
I agree that "Likely" and "May Be" together causes redundancy but i think its unnecessary to use Between with Interaction..as interaction doesn't occur within a single thing...interaction occurs between a list of things so somewhere in the given context i believe its redundant to use interaction between.
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by vineeshp » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:33 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
The issue becomes clearer if we reverse the thought:

Because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other, a number of astronomical phenomena are.

They are what exactly? The thought is incomplete.

Another issue in C: the modifier that orbit each other suggests an action that might be separate from the interaction. The intended meaning of the sentence is that the two actions are connected. The phrasing in E -- the interaction of two stars orbiting each other -- is better because the present participle makes it clear that the orbiting happens at the same time as the interaction.
Clear! Thanks.
Vineesh,
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by aspirant2011 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:39 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
Another issue in C: the modifier that orbit each other suggests an action that might be separate from the interaction. The intended meaning of the sentence is that the two actions are connected.
Hi GMATguruNY,

Can you plz explain in a little detail on the above lines :-(
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by GMATGuruNY » Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:30 am
aspirant2011 wrote:
GMATGuruNY wrote:
Another issue in C: the modifier that orbit each other suggests an action that might be separate from the interaction. The intended meaning of the sentence is that the two actions are connected.
Hi GMATguruNY,

Can you plz explain in a little detail on the above lines :-(
Either modifier is grammatically correct. I prefer orbiting because it suggests an action contemporaneous with the interaction; the implication is that the orbiting affects the interaction. With that orbits, the connection between the two events doesn't feel quite as strong.

But we shouldn't use such subtle distinctions to eliminate answers. I wouldn't eliminate C because it uses that orbits instead of orbiting. Look for reasons that are more concrete, such as those discussed above.
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by amit2k9 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:52 pm
likely and may be redundant.

each other is proper usage of reciprocal pronoun for interaction.

interaction of is preferred over interaction between. (MGMAT SC- Idioms chapter9 pg 158)

because of is an adverbial preposition followed by a verb.
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