RBBmba@2014 wrote:While some propose to combat widespread illegal copying of computer programs by attempting to change people's attitudes toward pirating, others by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling for the prosecution of those who copy software illegally.

(A) by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling

(B) by suggesting the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others call

(C) suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive for pirating, and still others call

(D) suggest the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling

(E) suggest reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others are calling

A and B: While some propose, others by suggesting
Here, others (subject) lacks a verb.
Eliminate A and B.

D: While some propose, others suggest, and still others by calling
Here, the others in red (subject) lacks a verb.
Eliminate D.

Generally:
for + VERBing serves as an ADJECTIVE modifying the preceding noun.
to + VERB serves as an ADVERB modifying the preceding action.

To express WHY an ACTION is taken, we use a to-modifier rather than a for-modifier.
Incorrect: John drove to the store for buying milk.
Here, for buying milk seems to serves as an adjective describing the store.
What TYPE of store?
a STORE FOR BUYING MILK.
Not the intended meaning.

Correct: John DROVE to the store TO BUY milk.
WHY did John DRIVE to the store?
TO BUY milk.

C: others suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive
Here, for decreasing seems to serve as an ADJECTIVE describing software prices.
What TYPE of software price?
software prices FOR DECREASING THE INCENTIVE.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate C.

The correct answer is E.

The intention here is not to describe a type of price but to express WHY we should be REDUCING prices.
OA: others suggest REDUCING software prices TO DECREASE the incentive
Here, to decrease serves as an ADVERB modifying reducing.
WHY should we be REDUCING software prices?
TO DECREASE the incentive.

Hi Mitch,

I have 2 issues with E:
1. suggest reducing software prices - wouldn't 'reduction' be always better than 'reducing'?
I suggest the reduction of s/w price to.. vs I suggest reducing s/w price to.. I find the former much better. Pls explain this.

2. While some propose.., others suggest.., and still others are calling.. - Is that okay? I know there is no parallelism issue, since all are present tense, but isn't there a timing issue, as WHILE implies concurrence or simultaneity? Somehow it doesn't seem okay.. Pls enlighten.

Thanks in advance!!

~Binit.

binit wrote:Hi Mitch,

I have 2 issues with E:
1. suggest reducing software prices - wouldn't 'reduction' be always better than 'reducing'?
I suggest the reduction of s/w price to.. vs I suggest reducing s/w price to.. I find the former much better. Pls explain this.

E: others suggest reducing software prices
Here, reducing (gerund) serves as the direct object of suggest (verb).
This construction is valid.
SC66 in the OG13 offers an analogous construction:
The Army Corps of Engineers PROPOSED BUILDING a breakwater of rocks.
Here, building (gerund) serves as the direct object of proposed (verb).

2. While some propose.., others suggest.., and still others are calling.. - Is that okay? I know there is no parallelism issue, since all are present tense, but isn't there a timing issue, as WHILE implies concurrence or simultaneity? Somehow it doesn't seem okay.. Pls enlighten.

Thanks in advance!!

~Binit.

One purpose of while is to express a contrast.
SC107 in the OG13:
WHILE the cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as for other types of power plants, the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants make the electricity they generate more expensive.
Here, while serves to express a contrast between the cost of RUNNING nuclear plants and the fixed costs that stem from BUILDING them.
Generally, the usage of while is appropriate for contrasting events that are true AT THE SAME TIME.

SC above: WHILE some propose X, others suggest Y.
Here, two contrasting events -- SOME PROPOSE X, OTHERS SUGGEST Y -- are true at the same time.
Thus, this usage of while is appropriate.

GMATGuruNY wrote:

RBBmba@2014 wrote:While some propose to combat widespread illegal copying of computer programs by attempting to change people's attitudes toward pirating, others by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling for the prosecution of those who copy software illegally.

(A) by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling

(B) by suggesting the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others call

(C) suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive for pirating, and still others call

(D) suggest the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling

(E) suggest reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others are calling

Generally:
for + VERBing serves as an ADJECTIVE modifying the preceding noun.
to + VERB serves as an ADVERB modifying the preceding action.

Hi Mitch,
A quick question here - does your above Quote apply to ANY "the preceding noun/action" or IMMEDIATE "the preceding noun/action" ONLY ?

RBBmba@2014 wrote:

Generally:
for + VERBing serves as an ADJECTIVE modifying the preceding noun.
to + VERB serves as an ADVERB modifying the preceding action.

[

Hi Mitch,
A quick question here - does your above Quote apply to ANY "the preceding noun/action" or IMMEDIATE "the preceding noun/action" ONLY ?

Generally, for + VERBing will serve to modify the nearest preceding noun.
When an infinitive modifier (to + VERB) follows a clause, it generally will modify the nearest preceding action.

GMATGuruNY wrote:

RBBmba@2014 wrote:While some propose to combat widespread illegal copying of computer programs by attempting to change people's attitudes toward pirating, others by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling for the prosecution of those who copy software illegally.

(A) by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling

(B) by suggesting the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others call

(C) suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive for pirating, and still others call

(D) suggest the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling

(E) suggest reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others are calling

A and B: While some propose, others by suggesting
Here, others (subject) lacks a verb.
Eliminate A and B.

D: While some propose, others suggest, and still others by calling
Here, the others in red (subject) lacks a verb.
Eliminate D.

Generally:
for + VERBing serves as an ADJECTIVE modifying the preceding noun.
to + VERB serves as an ADVERB modifying the preceding action.

To express WHY an ACTION is taken, we use a to-modifier rather than a for-modifier.
Incorrect: John drove to the store for buying milk.
Here, for buying milk seems to serves as an adjective describing the store.
What TYPE of store?
a STORE FOR BUYING MILK.
Not the intended meaning.

Correct: John DROVE to the store TO BUY milk.
WHY did John DRIVE to the store?
TO BUY milk.

C: others suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive
Here, for decreasing seems to serve as an ADJECTIVE describing software prices.
What TYPE of software price?
software prices FOR DECREASING THE INCENTIVE.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate C.

The correct answer is E.

The intention here is not to describe a type of price but to express WHY we should be REDUCING prices.
OA: others suggest REDUCING software prices TO DECREASE the incentive
Here, to decrease serves as an ADVERB modifying reducing.
WHY should we be REDUCING software prices?
TO DECREASE the incentive.

this is great explanation. Thank you Hunt.
howerever, I am confused

"for decreasing" can logically and grammatically modify "reduction" and choice C is correct.

pls, explain

thang wrote:
this is great explanation. Thank you Hunt.
howerever, I am confused

"for decreasing" can logically and grammatically modify "reduction" and choice C is correct.

pls, explain

A VERBing modifier implies CONCURRENT action.
C: others suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive
Here, for decreasing implies that prices are already DECREASING the incentive at the same time as others SUGGEST the reduction.
This sequence is illogical, implying that the EFFECT (decreasing the incentive) happens at the same time as the cause (others suggest).
Eliminate C.