Sentence Correction

amysky_0205 wrote:In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by cigarettes, a major tobacco company is test-marketing a cigarette in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing the rate at which it burns and lowering the heat it generates.

A. in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing
B. in which they use thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows
C. that uses thin layers of extra paper to decrease the amount of oxygen when it enters the cigarette, thereby slowing
D. for which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette, and thereby slowing
E. using thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows


OA: A

In B, we don't know what "they" refers to.
In D, the use of "for which" is wrong.

I would like to know what's wrong with C and E

plz explain and if there's more errors in B and D, add on them though!

thank u so much!

ceilidh.erickson wrote:USE... IN DECREASING doesn't make sense here. "In" implies "in the process of." For example, we could say "something is used in manufacturing a product." Here, the paper is not used in the process of decreasing, but used in order to decrease.

After several years of rapid growth, the health care company became one of the largest health care providers in the metropolitan area, but then proved unable to handle the increase in business, falling months behind in paying doctors and hospitals.

brianlange77 wrote:

patanjali.purpose wrote:

ceilidh.erickson wrote:USE... IN DECREASING doesn't make sense here. "In" implies "in the process of." For example, we could say "something is used in manufacturing a product." Here, the paper is not used in the process of decreasing, but used in order to decrease.

Hi Ceilidh,

Thanks for the detail explanation. I could not quite understand why IN DECREASING is wrong. I saw another problem in which IN PAYING is correct.

After several years of rapid growth, the health care company became one of the largest health care providers in the metropolitan area, but then proved unable to handle the increase in business, falling months behind in paying doctors and hospitals.

Could you pls explain the difference between IN DECREASING and TO DECREASE in bit more detail.

Secondly, in (C) I thought the usage of WHEN IT ENTERS wrong as it appears that the entire phenomenon of decreasing amount of oxygen happens only when it enters the CIGARETTE. Is this a correct interpretation.

Like many areas on the GMAT, it's never quite as simple as just looking at one particular word. In this case, you also need to consider the verb "use" and the role of the word/words that come after it. When are you referring to a phrase such as "use OBJECT X in EVENT y", it's okay to stick with in (e.g. they use a round ball in baseball." However, when your "y" is another action (in this case decrease) it is more appropriate to return to the infinitive form (to decrease).

Hope that helps.

-Brian

brianlange77 wrote:

patanjali.purpose wrote: Some more examples in which IN VERBING is used. Is there a way to decide whether IN VERBING is appropriate?

1) The J.C.Penney chain of retail stores broke with its conservative cash-and-carry policy in deciding during its reorganization in 1958 to sell on credit. CORRECT
2) He said he preferred a more neutral site for the event and wanted to be involved in deciding who else would be invited. CORRECT

In all the above example I understand that we used IN to show IN THE PROCESS OF, but not able to understand how IN THE PROCESS OF and IN ORDER TO are different.

Does IN ORDER TO suggests PURPOSE?

Can you explain the use with some more examples pls.

I think this is a good question, but I now think we've started to stretch the # of topics we're covering in one post. But, to put a bow on it here -- can I ask you to clip in the full questions for the two examples you reference -- Penney's and neutral site?

Thanks.

-Brian