Modifiers - Problem 13 - MGMAT

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Modifiers - Problem 13 - MGMAT

by archu.mohan » Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:11 pm
The following is from the MGMAT SC book - Chapter: Modifiers. Problem Set - Problem 13.

Question. Identify thw word/words that modigy. Where the modifier is correct. If it is incorrect, suggest a way to correct it.

Regina returned the dress to the store, which was torn at one of the seams.

Corrected solution provided in the book:
Regina returned the dress, which was torn at one of the seams, to the store.

My answer:
Regina returned the dress that was torn at one of the seams to the store.
(or) Regina returned the dress which was torn at the seams to the store. (without comma to signify essential modifier)

My understanding is that an essential modifier needs to be used in this case.

Can someone please clarify if I am thinking right?

Thanks!
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by sahilchaudhary » Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:14 am
I think here meaning should also be taken into consideration along with the modifier.

Regina returned the dress, which was torn at one of the seams, to the store.
In the above sentence "which was torn at one of the seams" is a modifier. If we remove this modifier, the sentence makes a perfect sense. This sentence conveys the intended meaning. So, this usage is correct.

Regina returned the dress that was torn at one of the seams to the store
In the above sentence, the meaning which the author intends to convey is changed. Here, it seems that seams was returned to store. So, it is incorrect.

Regarding the usage of modifier, a non essential modifier looks pretty good here.
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by theCodeToGMAT » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:44 am
sahilchaudhary wrote:
Regina returned the dress that was torn at one of the seams to the store
In the above sentence, the meaning which the author intends to convey is changed. Here, it seems that seams was returned to store. So, it is incorrect.
Sahil, I don't think the meaning has been impacted.
The part marked in Blue, which is infact used by you, also has similar structure..and I see no ambiguity in meaning
What do you say?
R A H U L

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by sahilchaudhary » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:39 am
theCodeToGMAT wrote:
sahilchaudhary wrote:
Regina returned the dress that was torn at one of the seams to the store
In the above sentence, the meaning which the author intends to convey is changed. Here, it seems that seams was returned to store. So, it is incorrect.
Sahil, I don't think the meaning has been impacted.
The part marked in Blue, which is infact used by you, also has similar structure..and I see no ambiguity in meaning
What do you say?
Hi Rahul,
If I were to get a choice to choose between the two on the GMAT, I would definitely go for "Regina returned the dress, which was torn at one of the seams, to the store."

We need some Manhattan experts to answer this.
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