MGMAT SC flash card

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MGMAT SC flash card

by kashefian » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:24 pm
Here is an example from the Manhattan GMAT SC flash cards:

Superintendent Jackson's administration is beginning to reform the school system, hiring new administrators, increasing security, and overhauling the curriculum.


I guess it is incorrect because "the school system" would not hire new administrators or overhaul the curriculum. I guess this one has a modification error.

Experts opinion is appreciated.
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by e-GMAT » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:30 pm
In this sentence notice how the list of verb-ing modifiers is preceded by a comma. This implies that each of these verb-ing modifiers is modifying the entire preceding clause and not the preceding noun. Essentially this list presents the manner in which the Administration is beginning to reform the school system.

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by kashefian » Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:28 pm
And one final question:


Does this rule apply to Present Participles only or is it true about the Past Participles as well?

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by e-GMAT » Mon Nov 22, 2010 7:49 am
The comma rule applies only to verb-ing modifiers (present participles). The verb-ed modifiers (past participles) modify the preceding noun and never the preceding clause.

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