Sentence Correction

Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts
made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer fibers and is less likely to
leave an unsightly scar.

(A) Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension,surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer
(B) Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut having been made along these so-called Langer's lines severs less
(C) Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut made along these so-called Langer's lines severs fewer
(D) With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension,surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever less
(E) With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer

OA: C

Experts can you please answer of my below question?
Thanks.

[spoiler]I was left between C and B i knew that having been made is totally wrong but i didn't understand how Fibers are countable?? Do we say the number of fiber or amount of fiber?? i though fiber is like water it can't be counted[/spoiler]

joealam1 wrote:Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer fibers and is less likely to
leave an unsightly scar.

(A) Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer
(B) Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut having been made along these so-called Langer's lines severs less
(C) Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut made along these so-called Langer's lines severs fewer
(D) With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever less
(E) With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer

In A and D, cuts (plural) does not agree with is (singular).
Eliminate A and D.

B: cuts having been made
NOUN + having + VERBed is ALWAYS WRONG.
Eliminate B.

In E, cut (singular) does not agree with sever (plural).
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is C.

Another error in B and D: less fibers
Generally, a noun that takes a PLURAL VERB is modified not by less but by FEWER.
Correct: Fibers ARE severed during the procedure.
Since fibers takes a plural verb, the correct modifier for fibers is not less but fewer:
A surgical cut severs FEWER fibers.
Eliminate B and D.

In A and D, cuts (plural) does not agree with is (singular).
Eliminate A and D.

B: cuts having been made
NOUN + having + VERBed is ALWAYS WRONG.
Eliminate B.

In E, cut (singular) does not agree with sever (plural).
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is C.

Another error in B and D: less fibers
Generally, a noun that takes a PLURAL VERB is modified not by less but by FEWER.
Correct: Fibers ARE severed during the procedure.
Since fibers takes a plural verb, the correct modifier for fibers is not less but fewer:
A surgical cut severs FEWER fibers.
Eliminate B and D.

Hi GMATGururNY ,

Can you please explain that why BECAUSE why not WITH?

Many thanks in advance.

Kavin

Needgmat wrote:Hi GMATGururNY ,

Can you please explain that why BECAUSE why not WITH?

Many thanks in advance.

Kavin

A VERBing modifier serves to express CONCURRENT action.
D: With the collagen fibers lining up, surgical cuts sever.
Here, the usage of lining implies that the fibers are LINING UP at the same time as surgical cuts SEVER.
This meaning is nonsensical.
It is a GENERAL TRUTH that the collagen fibers in skin LINE UP in the direction of tension.
This action does not occur only when the cuts SEVER.
Eliminate D.

Since E conveys a similar nonsensical meaning, eliminate E.

Hi Mitch,

Another error in B and D: less fibers
Generally, a noun that takes a PLURAL VERB is modified not by less but by FEWER.
Correct: Fibers ARE severed during the procedure.
Since fibers takes a plural verb, the correct modifier for fibers is not less but fewer:
A surgical cut severs FEWER fibers.
Eliminate B and D.

Never heard of such a rule before, it's quite handy thanks a lot.


Regarding the NOUN + having + VERBed is ALWAYS WRONG.

Do you have more examples about it? would it be possible to elaborate a bit about it?? i don't remember seeing this rule in the Manhattan SC guide.

Thanks.

joealam1 wrote:Regarding the NOUN + having + VERBed is ALWAYS WRONG.

Do you have more examples about it? would it be possible to elaborate a bit about it?? i don't remember seeing this rule in the Manhattan SC guide.

Thanks.

Check my second post here:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/anti-poverty ... 78909.html

Thanks a lot Mitch you're a real GMAT Guru!

I think you should consider writing a SC book.