Few doubts

BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

This topic has expert replies

Post new topic Locked

Previous Topic Next Topic

Anahatha: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 45; Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:15 am

Few doubts

by Anahatha » Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:25 am

Hi.. Please clear the following doubts:

[1]
She might come
She may come

Which is right and why?

[2]
It is a tree that/which gives fruit
These are trees that/which give fruit

What is the difference between 'that' and 'which'?

[3] Is the below sentence right?

The flood damaged not only the house but it also damaged the field?

[4] Which is right?

less than ten percent
lower than ten percent

Please explain

[5]

He is shorter than she is. Here we can omit 'is' and say "He is shorter than she"

But... "Chocolates taste better cakes do".... in this sentence we cannot omit 'do'

Why?????

Im sorry for the long list of questions. I would be grateful for the answers

Quote

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:25 am

niksworth: Legendary Member; Posts: 520; Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:44 am; Thanked: 70 times; Followed by:6 members

by niksworth » Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:54 am

1) May and might can be used interchangeably in most cases without committing any major grammatical faux pas.

However, to be precise "May" has the sense of "being permitted";
E.g. The invigilator of a written examination due to commence at two o'clock would say: "The time is two o'clock; you may commence writing now."

"Might" has the sense of something being a possibility, either in the past, present or future.
E.g. The same invigilator, if he or she spoke good English, might say:"You might start writing now, but if you do then you will be disqualified, because it is not yet two o'clock"

Similarly here
She might come - Probable meaning is that there is a possibility that she might come.
She may come - Probable meaning is that she is permitted to come.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Difference between that and which is oft discussed in GMAT forums. You may search this forum itself.

Alternatively, check out the following links. If you still have doubts, you can always come back.
https://www.kentlaw.edu/academics/lrw/gr ... _Which.htm
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/that-vs-which/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) No the sentence is incorrect. The correct sentence would be -

The flood damaged not only the house but also the field.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Neither is correct.

fewer than ten percent is right.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Verbs can be sometimes be omitted from the end of the sentence if the meaning is clear.

He is shorter than she - Main verb is has been omitted.
Chocolates taste better cakes do - Main verb taste has been omitted. (Chocolates taste better than cakes do taste)

scio me nihil scire

Quote

BastiG: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 146; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:05 am; Thanked: 7 times

by BastiG » Sun Sep 05, 2010 11:03 am

Anahatha wrote:Hi.. Please clear the following doubts:

[1]
She might come
She may come

Which is right and why?

Both are correct.

[2]
It is a tree that/which gives fruit --> which = you need a comma --> if it is restrictive and you have the choice between that and which you choose always that
These are trees that/which give fruit

What is the difference between 'that' and 'which'?

[3] Is the below sentence right?

The flood damaged not only the house but it also damaged the field?

[4] Which is right?

less than ten percent --> correct percentils use less
lower than ten percent

Please explain

[5]

He is shorter than she is. Here we can omit 'is' and say "He is shorter than she"

But... "Chocolates taste better cakes do".... in this sentence we cannot omit 'do'

Why?????

Chocolates taste better than cakes. would be correct

Im sorry for the long list of questions. I would be grateful for the answers

Quote

gmat_perfect: Legendary Member; Posts: 1083; Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:38 pm; Thanked: 127 times; Followed by:14 members

by gmat_perfect » Sun Sep 05, 2010 11:04 am

Anahatha wrote:Hi.. Please clear the following doubts:

[1]
She might come
She may come

Which is right and why?

==> Both are correct

[2]
It is a tree that/which gives fruit
These are trees that/which give fruit

What is the difference between 'that' and 'which'?

1. That
2. That

[3] Is the below sentence right?

The flood damaged not only the house but it also damaged the field?

No.

two options:

1. The flood damaged not only the house but also the field.
2. Not only the flood damaged the house but it also damaged the field.

[4] Which is right?

less than ten percent
lower than ten percent

Please explain

Less than 10%---right.

Less Vs Lower:

"Less" refers to a smaller number or quantity, usually of something uncountable (and thus singular).
There is less water in the bucket than in the pool.
I have been trying to cut back, so now I drink less coffee.

However, we can use "less" to refer to something plural if it is a measure of time, money, or distance.
The red sweater is on sale for $10 less than regular price.
The distance to the grocery store is 3 miles less than the distance to the restaurant.
Felicia spoke to the group for less than 5 minutes.

"Lower" is the comparative of "low," so it should only be applied to things that could be described as low.
The average temperature is lower in the winter than in the summer.
Lower the water level in the pool by pulling the drain plug.

[5]

He is shorter than she is. Here we can omit 'is' and say "He is shorter than she"

But... "Chocolates taste better than cakes do".... in this sentence we cannot omit 'do'

Why?????

--I think experts can reply to this question.

Im sorry for the long list of questions. I would be grateful for the answers

Hope it helps.

Quote

Maciek: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 164; Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:26 am; Thanked: 49 times; Followed by:4 members; GMAT Score:710

by Maciek » Sun Sep 05, 2010 11:22 am

Hi Anahatha!

[1]
'may' and 'might' are usually interchangeable. When you use 'might' in order to show possibility of an event it is more remote possibility than with 'may'.

'might' is the past tense and subjunctive mood of "may"

[2]
We use 'which' for non-defining relative clauses, if we want simply to give more information about a noun just before the comma. 'That' and 'which' are in GMAT not interchangable.
Examples:
The contract that we saw was much longer than...
Ian's birthday, which falls on Wednesday this year, ...

Www.Dictionary.reference.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foWx9ffA ... r_embedded#!

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek

"There is no greater wealth in a nation than that of being made up of learned citizens." Pope John Paul II

if you have any questions, send me a private message!

should you find this post useful, please click on "thanks" button