BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Medical Test

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 88
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:20 am
Thanked: 1 times

Medical Test

by Onell » Wed Nov 10, 2010 5:34 am
Any medical test will sometimes fail to detect a condition when it is present and indicate that there is one
when it is not.
(A) a condition when it is present and indicate that there is one
(B) when a condition is present and indicate that there is one
(C) a condition when it is present and indicate that it is present
(D) when a condition is present and indicate its presence
(E) the presence of a condition when it is there and indicate its presence

Og10 says In choices A and B, the phrase indicate that there . is one does not grammatically fit with when it is not because it has no referent. .Can someone please elaborate why it has no referent
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1309
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:41 pm
Thanked: 33 times
Followed by:5 members

by pradeepkaushal9518 » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:34 am
it refer to what? any medical test ? or else?
A SMALL TOWN GUY
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 809
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:10 pm
Thanked: 50 times
Followed by:4 members

by akhpad » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:42 am
A and B:
indicate that there is one when it is not => it refers to what. IT suppose to refer one but cannot.

One's or one can refer to one but no one else. This rule strictly followed in British English but not in American English. I believe this.
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 97
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:39 am
Location: Montreal, Canada
Thanked: 22 times
Followed by:20 members

by Isaac@EconomistGMAT » Wed Nov 10, 2010 2:31 pm
It is a Pronoun and if a Pronoun can refer to more than one noun in the sentence, it is ambiguous. However, ambiguity does not always mean the sentence is wrong. If you have eliminated all the must-eliminate errors (grammar errors for example) and all you have left is an ambiguity, it may still be the correct answer choice even though it should be wrong, technically. If the ambiguity is obvious (ie we do not know what the pronoun refers to) then the chances are very high that there s a better answer choice, but if the ambiguity is only a little but ambiguous (ie it is mostly clear what is being referred to)then such an ambiguity may stand.

As for the 'one': this 'pronoun' can only refer to itself. For example: One can see the building when one passes to the other side of the street. You cannot use 'one' to refer to it or any other pronoun, and visa versa.
Isaac Bettan
Academic Director
Master GMAT
https://econgm.at/EconomistGMAT
[youtube]QBNZczg84tU[/youtube]
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1