MGMAT Parallelism

Hi Uva,

A is correct.

In sentences where "rather than" is used to compare two different actions, it us usually followed by the bare infinitive form of the verb. The bare infinitive form is the infinitive form of the verb, without "to" in front of it. For example, "face" is the bare infinitive form of "to face."

Many teachers choose to seek employment in the suburbs rather than face low salaries in the city.

In this sentence, "rather than" precedes "face," the bare infinitive form of "to face."

Because of the use of rather than, the comparison between to seek employment (standard infinitive) and face (bare infinitive) is both correct (and parallel, which is what you were probably worried about in the first place, right?).

David@GMATPrepNow wrote:Hi Uva,

A is correct.

In sentences where "rather than" is used to compare two different actions, it us usually followed by the bare infinitive form of the verb. The bare infinitive form is the infinitive form of the verb, without "to" in front of it. For example, "face" is the bare infinitive form of "to face."

Many teachers choose to seek employment in the suburbs rather than face low salaries in the city.

In this sentence, "rather than" precedes "face," the bare infinitive form of "to face."

Because of the use of rather than, the comparison between to seek employment (standard infinitive) and face (bare infinitive) is both correct (and parallel, which is what you were probably worried about in the first place, right?).

Hi David,

Thanks a lot.

I got your point completely.

Can you please also explain when the bare infinitive form and the standard infinitive form to be used ? only during the comparisons ?

Regards,
Uva

Hi Uva,

The bare infinitive form is used in more than just "rather than" comparison sentences - but this is a common example of it used on GMAT questions. Here are few other cases where the bare infinitive form is used:

First, with the word "why." Example: "Why yell at me?" Yell is the bare infinitive form of "to yell."

Second, the verb help is often followed by the bare infinitive. Example: "I helped them move on the weekend."

Third, the bare infinitive is used as the main verb after the auxiliary verb do (and many auxiliary verbs like will, can, and should). Examples: I do know him. I do like you.

Fourth, the bare infinitive is used after a bunch of common verbs of perception, including see, watch, and hear. Examples: I saw it happen. I watched it happen.

Fifth, the bare infinitive is also used after "had better." Example: You had better leave now.

There are probably a few other instances where the bare infinitive verb form comes up, but with the GMAT, you are more likely to run into it in "rather than" comparison sentences.

Good luck.

David@GMATPrepNow wrote:Hi Uva,

The bare infinitive form is used in more than just "rather than" comparison sentences - but this is a common example of it used on GMAT questions. Here are few other cases where the bare infinitive form is used:

First, with the word "why." Example: "Why yell at me?" Yell is the bare infinitive form of "to yell."

Second, the verb help is often followed by the bare infinitive. Example: "I helped them move on the weekend."

Third, the bare infinitive is used as the main verb after the auxiliary verb do (and many auxiliary verbs like will, can, and should). Examples: I do know him. I do like you.

Fourth, the bare infinitive is used after a bunch of common verbs of perception, including see, watch, and hear. Examples: I saw it happen. I watched it happen.

Fifth, the bare infinitive is also used after "had better." Example: You had better leave now.

There are probably a few other instances where the bare infinitive verb form comes up, but with the GMAT, you are more likely to run into it in "rather than" comparison sentences.

Good luck.

David,
Thank you so much.

I got it completely.

Regards,
Uva.