modern statistical techniques

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neerajkumar1_1: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 270; Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:00 amFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 24 times

by neerajkumar1_1 » Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:41 pm

Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue historians and economists are currently debating.
(A) Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(C) That modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(D) Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(E) The useful application of modern statistical techniques to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:41 pm

saurabhmahajan: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 250; Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:21 am; Thanked: 10 times

by saurabhmahajan » Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:01 am

IMO :A

Thanks and regards,
Saurabh Mahajan

I can understand you not winning,but i will not forgive you for not trying.

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Maciek: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 164; Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:26 amFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 49 times; GMAT Score:710

by Maciek » Wed Sep 01, 2010 4:01 am

hi all!

IMO B
I see two different issues
what is OA?

If you don't agree with my reasoning, post here. Thanks!

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek

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blaster: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 233; Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:30 am; Thanked: 5 times

by blaster » Wed Sep 01, 2010 4:25 am

Maciek wrote:hi all!

IMO B
I see two different issues
what is OA?

If you don't agree with my reasoning, post here. Thanks!

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek

(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues

i think it must be singular.

I vote for A

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niksworth: Legendary Member; Posts: 520; Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:44 amFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 70 times

by niksworth » Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:49 am

Maciek wrote:hi all!

IMO B
I see two different issues
what is OA?

If you don't agree with my reasoning, post here. Thanks!

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek

B has subject verb agreement error. The subject in the sentence is the issue and must have singular is as the verb.

Also, in B the use of if is incorrect. If is generally used to lay out a condition. Whether is used when alternatives are offered.

Moreover, when a question-word clause is a subject or complement, whether is preferred.
E.g. - Whether we can stay with my mother or not is another matter

I would vote for A.

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reply2spg: Legendary Member; Posts: 1261; Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am; Thanked: 27 times; GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:28 am

IMP - Rule #1 for sentence correction is underline the sentence, without this rule all other rules are useless

1. 'historians and economists are currently debating' is the key phrase to decide how the sentence should start with.
2. 'is' or 'are' - we need 'is' and not 'are'
3. 'if' or 'whether' - use 'whether' to decide on two things, use 'if' in only 'if X then Y' construction

Let's analyse

neerajkumar1_1 wrote:Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue historians and economists are currently debating.

(A) Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue - Correct
(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues - this is not 'if, then' construction, so we do not need if. Also, we need 'is' and not 'are'. Eliminate
(C) That modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues - What is 'that' referring to? not clear, eliminate
(D) Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue - Subject 'techniques' plural verb 'is' singular. Also, use of 'being' is incorrect. Eliminate
(E) The useful application of modern statistical techniques to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue - changes the meaning.

Sudhanshu
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)

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neerajkumar1_1: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 270; Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:00 amFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 24 times

by neerajkumar1_1 » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:26 am

Hi all...
thanks for the inputs...
But can anyone explain why we need 'is' and not 'are' in this sentence...
I am getting confused abt the subject in this sentence...
Please elaborate...

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BastiG: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 146; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:05 am; Thanked: 7 times

by BastiG » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:30 am

neerajkumar1_1 wrote:Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue historians and economists are currently debating.
(A) Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(C) That modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(D) Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(E) The useful application of modern statistical techniques to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue

I think that the correct answer is A because Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own is a noun phrase which functions as a subject, Issue is not a subject, but a direct object. B and C have a problem with sv-agreement. D and E change the meaning.

BTW:
The choice D "Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue" has no problem with a sv-agreement because you can ellid "that". If you add that at the beginning of the sentence, there is no problem with a sv-agreement because you have a noun phrase functioning as a subject! But you have a different meaning.

Last edited by BastiG on Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:58 am, edited 2 times in total.

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samarpan_bschool: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 106; Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:16 am; Thanked: 4 times; GMAT Score:700

by samarpan_bschool » Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:28 am

BastiG wrote:
neerajkumar1_1 wrote:Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue historians and economists are currently debating.
(A) Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(C) That modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(D) Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(E) The useful application of modern statistical techniques to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
I think that the correct answer is A because Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past is a noun phrase which functions as a subject, Issue is not a subject, but a direct object. B and C have a problem with sv-agreement. D and E change the meaning.

BTW:
The choice D "Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue" has no problem with a sv-agreement because you can ellid "that". If you add that at the beginning of the sentence, there is no problem with a sv-agreement because you have a noun phrase functioning as a subject! But you have a different meaning.

I guess you have nailed it BastiG - S-V is indeed the issue in C. However i have a quick question her on 'A'.

In option A, 'Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and 'Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied' to a society quite different from our own, - > highlighted portion is elided.

Dont you think we have two actions here to make the subject 'plural' ? If this is the case, then we need to use 'are'

Action1: Modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past
Action2: Modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to a society quite different from our own

Ps: I DID make a note of the fact that we have COMMA for Action2, making action2 a dispensable modifier.

What are you thoughts?

Thanks

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BastiG: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 146; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:05 am; Thanked: 7 times

by BastiG » Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:08 pm

samarpan_bschool wrote:
BastiG wrote:
neerajkumar1_1 wrote:Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue historians and economists are currently debating.
(A) Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(C) That modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(D) Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(E) The useful application of modern statistical techniques to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
I think that the correct answer is A because Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past is a noun phrase which functions as a subject, Issue is not a subject, but a direct object. B and C have a problem with sv-agreement. D and E change the meaning.

BTW:
The choice D "Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue" has no problem with a sv-agreement because you can ellid "that". If you add that at the beginning of the sentence, there is no problem with a sv-agreement because you have a noun phrase functioning as a subject! But you have a different meaning.
I guess you have nailed it BastiG - S-V is indeed the issue in C. However i have a quick question her on 'A'.

In option A, 'Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and 'Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied' to a society quite different from our own, - > highlighted portion is elided.

Dont you think we have two actions here to make the subject 'plural' ? If this is the case, then we need to use 'are'

Action1: Modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past
Action2: Modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to a society quite different from our own

Ps: I DID make a note of the fact that we have COMMA for Action2, making action2 a dispensable modifier.

What are you thoughts?

Thanks

I agree with your thoughts. I am not able to give you any reason why are is wrong. I think you should contact an expert because this is an pretty interesting question!

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GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:51 pm

neerajkumar1_1 wrote:Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue historians and economists are currently debating.
(A) Whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(B) If modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(C) That modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, are issues
(D) Modern statistical techniques being usefully applied to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue
(E) The useful application of modern statistical techniques to the past, and to a society quite different from our own, is an issue

Quickest approach:

The issue is whether modern statistical techniques can be usefully applied to the past and to a society different from our own. Only A conveys the intended meaning of the sentence. Eliminate B, C, D and E.

The correct answer is A.

Other errors:

In B, the use of if is incorrect. If is used for conditional statements. To convey a choice between two options -- can the techniques be applied or not? -- we use the word whether.

In C, the plural are doesn't agree with the singular subject that modern techniques can be applied. C should read:

That modern techniques can be applied...is an issue...

In D, the subject is not the modern statistical techniques but their being usefully applied to the past. D should read:

Modern statistical techniques' being usefully applied to the past...is an issue...

This sort of construction, however, is very awkward and highly unlikely to be in the correct answer choice.

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7806: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 45; Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:10 am

by 7806 » Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:36 pm

Thanks Mitch..nice explanation.

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