along with vs and

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along with vs and

by aflaam » Wed May 04, 2016 2:26 am
WARNING: EXAM PACK SC

Because they can reproduce several times each year and produce large numbers of offspring, many insect species can generally adapt quickly to changes in their environment.

A. Because they can reproduce several times each year and produce large numbers of offspring, many insect species

B. Because of many insect species' ability of reproducing several times a year, along with producing large numbers of offspring, thus they

C. Because they can reproduce yearly several times, along with producing offspring in large numbers, so many insect species

D. Due to their capability to reproduce several times yearly and to produce large numbers of offspring, many insect species

E. Due to their ability of reproducing several times yearly and to produce offspring of large numbers, many insect species

OA A

IN C--> so is problematic, correct?
DE are clearly out.
How to choose b/w A and B?
What does the and vs along with split tells us in A vs B?
Is and preffered to along with in GMAT?
Last edited by aflaam on Wed May 04, 2016 3:31 am, edited 2 times in total.

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by GMATGuruNY » Wed May 04, 2016 3:15 am
Please post each SC in a separate thread and underline the tested portion of the sentence.
Because they can reproduce several times each year and produce large numbers of offspring, many insect species can generally adapt quickly to changes in their environment.

A. Because they can reproduce several times each year and produce large numbers of offspring, many insect species

B. Because of many insect species' ability of reproducing several times a year, along with producing large numbers of offspring, thus they

C. Because they can reproduce yearly several times, along with producing offspring in large numbers, so many insect species

D. Due to their capability to reproduce several times yearly and to produce large numbers of offspring, many insect species

E. Due to their ability of reproducing several times yearly and to produce offspring of large numbers, many insect species
In B, ability of reproducing is unidiomatic.
INCORRECT: ability of doing X.
CORRECT: ability TO DO X.
Eliminate B.

John attended, along with Mary.
Conveyed meaning:
Both JOHN and MARY attended.

C: Because they can reproduce yearly, along with producing offspring in large numbers
Conveyed meaning:
Both THEY and PRODUCING OFFSPRING IN LARGE NUMBERS can reproduce yearly.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate C.

D: Due to their capability, many insect species
Conveyed meaning:
Many insect species are due to their capability.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate D.

E: Due to their ability, many insect species
Conveyed meaning:
Many insect species are due to their ability.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is A.
How to choose b/w A and B?


Other errors in B:

because and thus are redundant.

Generally, COMMA + along with serves to refer to a preceding subject.
B: Because of many insect species' ability, along with producing
Here, no subject precedes COMMA + along with.
Last edited by GMATGuruNY on Wed May 04, 2016 7:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by aflaam » Wed May 04, 2016 3:25 am
Generally, COMMA + along with must serve to refer to a preceding subject.
B: Because of many insect species' ability, along with producing
Here, no subject precedes COMMA + along with.
Is it also true for other additives such as as well as , in addition to, coupled with?
Thank you so much.
I really appreciate your help.
P.S: Guru , i had another question to you here https://www.beatthegmat.com/stadium-fill ... 99400.html
Can you please consider it as well.

P.P.S:
Please post each SC in a separate thread and underline the tested portion of the sentence.
Fixed :)