Sentence Correction

Hi....I have just gone through the Old topic and thanked the GMAT expert Mitch.

I didnt understand your comments.

hey_thr67 wrote:Hi,

For new question please make a new thread and also underline the doubtful part

in the following structure

I learn gmat , like you

"comma+like you" modifies the subject of the previous clause

is that right?

pls confirm, comment.

GMATGuruNY wrote:

goelmohit2002 wrote:According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.

(A) like that of earlier generations
(B) as that for earlier generations
(C) just as earlier generations did
(D) as have earlier generations
(E) as it was of earlier generations


Here the OG Answer is "E".

But as per OG, like is used to compare nouns. So shouldn't "A" be the answer ? Are we not comparing the below two in this question ?
1. Goal of earlier generations.
2. Goal of current generation.

Thanks
Mohit

In A and B, like that and as that imply two separate goals, one similar to the other. But in the SC above there is only one goal: owning and living in a freestanding house. The intended meaning of the sentence is that this one goal is common to all the generations. Eliminate A and B.

In C, it is unclear what verb is being replaced by did. Eliminate C.

In D, it is unclear what earlier generations have done. Eliminate D.

The correct answer is E.

E uses ellipsis, the omission of words in a comparison:

...owning and living in a freestanding house...is still a goal of a majority of young adults, as it [owning and living in a freestanding house] was [a goal] of earlier generations.

In E, it refers to owning and living in a freestanding house. The phrase a goal has been omitted, but its presence is understood.

pls help
regarding A. I do not understand why "like that " in A is wrong

I think
the goal of old generation and that of new generation
is correct sentence.

Mint Huntch, pls explain more

duongthang wrote:

According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.

(A) like that of earlier generations
(B) as that for earlier generations
(C) just as earlier generations did
(D) as have earlier generations
(E) as it was of earlier generations

regarding A. I do not understand why "like that " in A is wrong

I think
the goal of old generation and that of new generation
is correct sentence.

Mint Huntch, pls explain more

Generally, COMMA + like refers to the preceding SUBJECT.
The OA to Q122 in the OG11:
Genes can "jump," like pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another.
Here, like pearls refers to genes (the preceding subject).
The conveyed meaning is that GENES are similar to PEARLS.

In the SC above:
Owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.
Since COMMA + like typically refers to the preceding SUBJECT, the implication here is that OWNING AND LIVING IN A FREESTANDING HOUSE is similar to THAT OF EARLIER GENERATIONS.
But the intended meaning is not that one goal is SIMILAR TO the other goal but that the two goals are THE SAME:
Owning and living in a freestanding house WAS A GOAL OF EARLIER GENERATIONS.
Owning and living in a freestanding house IS STILL A GOAL OF A MAJORITY OF YOUNG ADULTS.
Since A does not convey the intended meaning, eliminate A.

goelmohit2002 wrote:According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.

(A) like that of earlier generations
(B) as that for earlier generations
(C) just as earlier generations did
(D) as have earlier generations
(E) as it was of earlier generations

in E, there is a pronoun "it". My question is: WHY 'it' does not refer to 'house' or 'land' ?
Thanks expert...

a) "like" is a preposition and modifies the noun preceding it.
b) "comparison as" is a conjunction (subordinator) and must be followed by a clause
c) Improper comparison
d) Improper comparison
e) Correct as it refers to the subject phrase "owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land" Hence (e).