Sentence Correction

Astronomers have theorized that the Big Bang governs the behavior of interstellar dust, particles that comprise the atoms and molecules created in the progenitive explosion and persisting in even the emptiest regions of space.

1.persisting
2.persists
3.persisted
4.they persist
5.are persisting

[spoiler]OA = 1
my doubt is why is it not 2 ??? have ....comprise ...den shd b persist shd b dere[/spoiler]

divya23 wrote:Astronomers have theorized that the Big Bang governs the behavior of interstellar dust, particles that comprise the atoms and molecules created in the progenitive explosion and persisting in even the emptiest regions of space.

1.persisting
2.persists
3.persisted
4.they persist
5.are persisting

[spoiler]OA = 1
my doubt is why is it not 2 ??? have ....comprise ...den shd b persist shd b dere[/spoiler]

Hi,

this seems like a poorly worded question, since as you point out "persisting" isn't parallel to "comprise".

However, (2) is definitely wrong, since particles "persist", not "persists" (particles are plural, so we need the plural version of the verb).

"persist" would have been the best word to use in the sentence. Of the choices given, "persisting" is the least offensive, but it's unlikely you'd see that as the correct answer on the actual GMAT.

@Stuart: persist has to be parallel to created or comprise ? if created then persisting would be corrct as well no ?

the atoms and molecules created in the progenitive explosion and persisting in even the emptiest regions of space.

Stuart Kovinsky wrote:

divya23 wrote:Astronomers have theorized that the Big Bang governs the behavior of interstellar dust, particles that comprise the atoms and molecules created in the progenitive explosion and persisting in even the emptiest regions of space.

1.persisting
2.persists
3.persisted
4.they persist
5.are persisting

[spoiler]OA = 1
my doubt is why is it not 2 ??? have ....comprise ...den shd b persist shd b dere[/spoiler]

Hi,

this seems like a poorly worded question, since as you point out "persisting" isn't parallel to "comprise".

However, (2) is definitely wrong, since particles "persist", not "persists" (particles are plural, so we need the plural version of the verb).

"persist" would have been the best word to use in the sentence. Of the choices given, "persisting" is the least offensive, but it's unlikely you'd see that as the correct answer on the actual GMAT.

Hi Stuart,

Can't it be 3) PERSISTED ?
Because PERSISTED is parallel to CREATED.

particles that comprise the atoms and molecules CREATED in the progenitive explosion and PERSISTED in even the emptiest regions of space.

Persisting is the present participle form of persist and "and" is a prallelism indicator.

Now,
past participle 'created' is parallel with the present participle 'persisiting'.

Thus A is the right Op.

anniananth wrote:

Stuart Kovinsky wrote:

divya23 wrote:Astronomers have theorized that the Big Bang governs the behavior of interstellar dust, particles that comprise the atoms and molecules created in the progenitive explosion and persisting in even the emptiest regions of space.

1.persisting
2.persists
3.persisted
4.they persist
5.are persisting

[spoiler]OA = 1
my doubt is why is it not 2 ??? have ....comprise ...den shd b persist shd b dere[/spoiler]

Hi,

this seems like a poorly worded question, since as you point out "persisting" isn't parallel to "comprise".

However, (2) is definitely wrong, since particles "persist", not "persists" (particles are plural, so we need the plural version of the verb).

"persist" would have been the best word to use in the sentence. Of the choices given, "persisting" is the least offensive, but it's unlikely you'd see that as the correct answer on the actual GMAT.

Hi Stuart,

Can't it be 3) PERSISTED ?
Because PERSISTED is parallel to CREATED.

particles that comprise the atoms and molecules CREATED in the progenitive explosion and PERSISTED in even the emptiest regions of space.

particles that X and Y
particles that comprise and persist ...comprise and persist shud be parallel.
but as Stuart explained, we may not see the correct option wth persisting on the actual exam.