Census Bureau

[neonite]

This has been discussed before but I found no convincing answer:

A March 2000 Census Bureau survey showed that Mexico accounted for more than a quarter of all foreign-born residents of the United States, the largest share for any country to contribute since 1890, when about 30 percent of the country's foreign-born population was from Germany.
1. the largest share for any country to contribute
2. the largest share that any country has contributed
3. which makes it the largest share for any country to contribute
4. having the largest share to be contributed by any country
5. having the largest share to have been contributed by any country

Apparently (4) and (5) are ruled out. I wanted to understand why. Can anyone help?

[pradeepkaushal9518]

imo 2 is the answer

4 and 5 changes the meaning of sentence. to be contributed and to have been contributed means it has to be done.but this has already been done

[paridhi]

IMO 1

[money9111]

I believe 4 and 5 incorrectly modify United States.... havING

[kevincanspain]

What does having refer to? Who/What has the largest share?

[neonite]

What does having refer to? Who/What has the largest share?

Kevin,

That's what I am not sure about. How do we know "having" is referring to US and not Mexico or any other word.

I realize this is a fundamental question, but it would be great if you can help me answer this one.

[Patrick_GMATFix]

Please provide the source when you post a Q. Some ppl (me would like to focus practice on official questions

[neonite]

This is from some paper tests I got from a friend. Sorry, but am not sure if this is an official question.

[Patrick_GMATFix]

Thanks neonite

[ansumania]

IMO B......

since a time....

[Testluv]

Kevin's dead-on.

We can also be suspicious of D and E because they use the passive voice ("contributed by"). In general, choices with "by" are often wrong because "by" is used in a passive construction, whereas an alternative choice will offer a more concise active construction...such as choice B!

We want to say "Billy kicked the ball" (subject before verb--focus on actor not action--active)

and not

"The ball was kicked by Billy" (subject after verb--focus on action not actor--passive).

Likewise, we want to say:

"share that...country...contributed"

and not

"share contributed by country".

Takeaways:

--cross out choices that use a passive construction, if a more concise and correct active construction is available.
--be wary of "by"--a passive construction may be signalled BY it!