on the official guide 13th edition SC #40 , they considered the sentence ".. year only if the output of non-OPEC nations, would be trimmed .. "
redundant, because (would) in front of the passive verb (be trimmed).
how come this is redundant?
Thanks in advance!
why this answer choice was considered redundant?
This topic has expert replies
- Patrick_GMATFix
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1052
- Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 1:30 am
- Thanked: 335 times
- Followed by:98 members
The answer choice you're referring to (C) can be simplified to say:
The subjunctive mood is used in "If [condition] then [consequence]" statements. Often, the "then" is implied. For instance, "If you do that again, [then] I will be upset with you". In some cases, the "then" clause even comes up first: "I will succeed if I persevere" is equivalent to "If I persevere then I will succeed".
In the subjunctive mood, "would" is sometimes used in the "then" clause: "If I were in your position, [then] I would do the same". The "would" should not go inside the "if" clause.
wrong: The GMAT will become more affordable if its fee would be decreased.
right: The GMAT will become more affordable if its fee is decreased.
In the sentence in question you mentioned:
wrong: "the group will pare production if output would be trimmed"
right: "the group will pare production if output is trimmed"
(an even better sentence will avoid passive altogether and use "if nations trim output")
A full discussion of this question, and of all OG questions since the OG10, can be found in the GMATFix App. The solution below is taken from the App.
-Patrick
There is no need to use "would" in front of "be trimmed" but the issue is less redundancy than improper use of the subjunctive mood.OPEC Officials announced that the group will pare production next year only if the output of non-OPEC nations would be trimmed.
The subjunctive mood is used in "If [condition] then [consequence]" statements. Often, the "then" is implied. For instance, "If you do that again, [then] I will be upset with you". In some cases, the "then" clause even comes up first: "I will succeed if I persevere" is equivalent to "If I persevere then I will succeed".
In the subjunctive mood, "would" is sometimes used in the "then" clause: "If I were in your position, [then] I would do the same". The "would" should not go inside the "if" clause.
wrong: The GMAT will become more affordable if its fee would be decreased.
right: The GMAT will become more affordable if its fee is decreased.
In the sentence in question you mentioned:
wrong: "the group will pare production if output would be trimmed"
right: "the group will pare production if output is trimmed"
(an even better sentence will avoid passive altogether and use "if nations trim output")
A full discussion of this question, and of all OG questions since the OG10, can be found in the GMATFix App. The solution below is taken from the App.
![Image](https://www.gmatfix.com/video_snap/8074_thumb.png)
-Patrick
- Check out my site: GMATFix.com
- To prep my students I use this tool >> (screenshots, video)
- Ask me about tutoring.