SC 1000 #110

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f2001290: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 400; Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:04 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by f2001290 » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:10 am

An attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago, has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women.

(A) to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(B) begun almost two decades ago, for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment
(C) begun for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment almost two decades ago
(D) at ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(E) that has begun almost two decades ago to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

What is the right idiom here ? "attemp to" or "attempt at"

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:10 am

Cybermusings: Legendary Member; Posts: 559; Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:29 amFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 5 times

by Cybermusings » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:18 am

An attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago, has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women.

(A) to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(B) begun almost two decades ago, for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment
(C) begun for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment almost two decades ago
(D) at ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(E) that has begun almost two decades ago to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

B-uses passive voice and hence should be eliminated
C- faulty modifier
E - "has" begun is clearly wrong
The correct idiom should be "attempt to"

Whats the OA...A or D?

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f2001290: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 400; Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:04 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by f2001290 » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:34 pm

It's A

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uglyogreshrek: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Tue May 31, 2011 9:33 pm

by uglyogreshrek » Tue May 31, 2011 10:07 pm

An attempt is always followed by to if there is a verb immediately after it.
In this case, its ratify

Therefore, only option A stands!

because if

f2001290 wrote:An attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago, has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women.

(A) to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(B) begun almost two decades ago, for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment
(C) begun for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment almost two decades ago
(D) at ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(E) that has begun almost two decades ago to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

What is the right idiom here ? "attemp to" or "attempt at"

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g.shankaran: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 101; Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:19 amFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 4 times

by g.shankaran » Tue May 31, 2011 11:31 pm

f2001290 wrote:An attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago, has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women.

(A) to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(B) begun almost two decades ago, for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment
(C) begun for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment almost two decades ago
(D) at ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
(E) that has begun almost two decades ago to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

What is the right idiom here ? "attemp to" or "attempt at"

I though all the choices except E has a wrong verb "begun", This is a participle form so should be followed by has or had ? .. Began might be the right usage?
Please comment

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rajbarnwal: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:53 pm

by rajbarnwal » Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:06 am

instead of begun, it shud be began....correct me if am wrong...

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ov25: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 201; Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:23 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 7 times

by ov25 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:46 am

as is should be fine.

I feel bad when an idiom -- attempt to -- is seperated

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aspirant2011: Legendary Member; Posts: 1574; Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:52 amFollowed by: 13 members; Thanked: 88 times

by aspirant2011 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 8:44 am

attempt to is used when intention is being shown and in the present sentence intention is being shown therefore, attempt to is correct

attempt at is also not the wrong word but its usage is more apt for example

your attempt at the festival was a waste

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