Gertrude Ederle

[sanjoy18]

In 1926, in her second attempt to swim across the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle
not only crossed the Channel against currents that forced her to swim thirty-five miles
instead of the minimal twenty-one, but she set a record for speed as well, by
swimming the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done.
A. but she set a record for speed as well, by swimming the distance in almost two hours
faster than anyone had yet done.
B. but also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than
anyone had yet done.
C. but also swam the distance in almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done, and
setting a record for speed.
D. but also setting a record for speed by swimming the distance in almost two hours
faster than anyone had yet done.
E. but, she also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done,

My question is what is wrong with E

[aditya8062]

My question is what is wrong with E

E says: but, she also set a record for speed, swimming the distance almost two hours faster than anyone had yet done

E is wrong because E is not parallel

[confused13]

Is the correct answer B?

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Hi sanjoy18,

This SC is built around a 2-part Parallel phrase, which means the two ideas must be in parallel format.

1) 2-part Phrase: The words "not only" must be followed at some point by the words "but also." Eliminate A and E.

2) Parallel Verbs: The verb "CROSSED.....the Channel" must be matched by the verb in the second idea. Between "set" and "setting", we need to use "set." The word "swam" would not make sense in this context because we're looking for a contrasting idea (the words "BUT also" lead to contrast). The first idea was that Ederle swam extra miles, BUT STILL set a record for speed. Eliminate D. Eliminate C.

Final Answer: B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[sanjoy18]

Hi Rich,
Thank you for the reply.

If you look at the non underlined part which ends with COMMA.is this usage of comma right here.

Commas are not used between two verbs, two subjects, two complements, or two objects joined by a coordinating conjunction. https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CoordConj.html
I understood E is wrong,But I would have accepted B if there was no COMMA before underlined portion.
Could please throw some light on this topic.

[aditya8062]

But I would have accepted B if there was no COMMA before underlined portion.

which part in option B you find not OK ?

[sanjoy18]

Option B is completely fine. I have problem with COMMA - end of the non underlined part

He ate cake, and I went to play football ( Independent clause, and, Independent clause) -correct

He ate cake and went to play foot ball (correct- removed comma.Joined two verb by AND)

He ate cake,and went to play football -this structure has problem..(As I understood)

As per my explanation above...sentence should be
GE not only crossed ......but also set a record..(I removed COMMA before but)(crossed||set)
If you keep Comma before BUT then sentence should be
Not only GE crossed ,but also she set a record..(clause || clause)

[aditya8062]

If you keep Comma before BUT then sentence should be
Not only GE crossed ,but also she set a record..(clause || clause)

this is wrong interpretation .more importantly the way u have written the sentence is wrong because it is again not parallel
the correct way will be : Not only GE crossed ,but also set a record..(
also this will be correct : Not only GE crossed but also set a record..

note that punctuations are never tested in GMAC .