GMAT SC Concepts Part 1 - Introduction + Parallelism (Sandeep Gupta)

Ultimate
SC Strategies
for the GMAT
Part 1
by Sandeep Gupta, founder Top-One-Percent GMAT
sandeepgupta01@gmail.com
+919739561394
© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

SC Tips
• RULES RULE: Intuition is your last resort… So any choice that seems
right, feels right, sounds right, smells right, etc. may not be the right
answer.
• It is not about conventional Grammar. It is about GMAT-specific SC
Questions. Understand the Examiner’s mindset. The most important
thing…
• POE: Don’t try to select the correct answer – eliminate wrong ones
• SCAN: Use Horizontal / Vertical Scanning to look for differences in the
choices
• Paper: Use a tick cross system with a pen / pencil / marker
• SPLIT: Look for a 2/3 or a 3/2 split. Most likely you are likely to narrow
down to two choices.
• TRAP: Choice “A” can be the right choice in a substantial number of
questions. So don’t reject an answer only because it is “A”.

SC – General Techniques
• You must read the full sentence … even the non-
underlined portion … no exception to this rule.
• LOCATION of Errors:
– Most of the errors on GMAT-SC occur at four potential places
• The Beginning of the Underlined Portion

• The End of the Underlined Portion
• After the Comma
• One word / phrase before the underlined portion

LET us see these thumb-
rules in application on
some real GMAT
Questions…

PLEASE TAKE CARE:
For solutions to any question
on any slide, refer to the
NOTES portion of the
respective slide at the
bottom.
1. With companies spending large parts of their advertising budgets
online, the market for content such as feature articles and opinion
essays created by a professional writer, a blogger, and by individual
users, are expanding rapidly.
A. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by a professional writer, a blogger, and by individual users,
are expanding
B. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by professional writers, bloggers, and by individual users, are
expanding
C. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by a professional writer, a blogger, and individual users, is
expanding
D. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by professional writers, bloggers, and individual users, are
expanding
E. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by professional writers, bloggers, and individual users, is
expanding
2. Consumption of bread products made from ergot-infected grains often
trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions,
seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant
reduction in maternal bleeding after childbirth.
A. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions, seizures and
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
B. products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause significantly reduced
C. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often triggers
severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions, seizures
and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significant
reduction in
D. bread made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
E. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significantly reduced
3. Responding to growing demand for high-end vehicles, the
interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that they sell
for nearly twice the price of last year's models.
A. the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that they
sell
B. the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that the
cars are sold
C. auto makers have installed interiors in the newest models
that are so luxurious that they sell
D. the interior of the newest models are so luxurious that they
are sold
E. auto makers have installed such luxurious interiors in the
newest models that these cars sell

4. Unsolicited electronic junk mail, also termed spam, has
hurt companies by both draining company resources used
to combat the problem and diminishing employee
productivity.
A. both draining company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing employee productivity
B. draining both company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing employee productivity
C. draining both company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing how productive its employees are
D. both draining company resources used to combat the
problem and the productivity of employees is diminished
E. both draining company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing how productive its employees are

5. From the Civil War to soldiers in Vietnam, Smith &
Wesson, the legendary arms maker, equipped both the
soldiers and the sailors who have fought America’s wars.
A. the Civil War to soldiers in Vietnam, Smith & Wesson, the
legendary arms maker, equipped both the soldiers and
B. the Civil War to the Vietnam war, Smith & Wesson, the
C. soldiers in the Civil War and soldiers in Vietnam, Smith &
soldiers and
D. soldiers in the Civil War to soldiers in Vietnam, Smith &
soldiers to
E. the Civil War and the Vietnam war, Smith & Wesson, the

SC – what to watch out for?
The PRIME Technique
The sureshot formula for 100% accuracy on GMAT SC
Preferences: GMAT favorites (long list – has to be memorized)

Rules: All the rules related to American English Grammar
Idiom: (long list – has to be memorized – crucial for success on GMAT-SC)
Meaning Clarity
Elimination

Grammar Topics
• Parallelism
• Comparisons
• Subject Verb Agreement
• Modifier
• Pronouns
• Verbs
• Prepositions, Idioms and Numerical Idioms
• Punctuation
• Style – Short V/s Long sentences, Meaning Clarity
• Miscellaneous errors

List of GMAT-Idioms – can’t
do without
Idioms are expressions that are the way they are. There can be no
explanations / reasoning for idioms
• You have to memorize a list, e.g.,
– Forbid to do NOT from doing
– Cope with NOT cope up with
– Comprise NOT comprise of
– Mistake A for B NOT mistake A as B
– Consider NOT consider to be or consider as
– However much, not how much ever
– Neck and neck, not neck to neck … the list continues

Meaning Clarity
• The meaning of the sentence should make sense. For

example:
• ONLY those passengers carrying an Identification will be
allowed to board the plane. – Right Meaning
• Passengers carrying ONLY an Identification will be
allowed to board the plane. – Wrong Meaning
Please note: Meaning clarity is definitely tested in every

700+ level question.

Concision
AVOID USE
• Despite the fact that • Although
• Have the capability • Can
• Exactly the same • Same
• In close proximity to • Near
• Past experience • Experience
• Final Outcome • Outcome
…..Long list
Preferences (GMAT favorites)
AVOID USE
• Instead of • Rather than
• Due to • Because of
• 2 times • Double / Twice
• Being • …
• Compare to • Compare with
• Do it • Do so
• May be • Perhaps
• If • Whether
• Hopefully • It is hoped
• As well as • And
• Enough • So

Preferences (GMAT favorites)
AVOID USE
• Ability • Able
• Capability • Can
• As a result of • Result from
• One time • Once
• 4 times • Quadruple
• Economical • Economic
• Try and • Try to
• Liable • Likely
• Ought to • Should
• But • Although
• “Which” after the comma • Noun form / that

• Just like Just as / Just as … so / just as … so too
• Like • Such as
• Like • As if / as though
• Noun form • Verb Form
(V > A > N)
• Apostrophe / Nominative forms
Possessive forms
Cases to avoid: Such like, Occurring, Seeming, On account of,

Owing to, Lesser, Not any, And also
Words followed by “to‟/ “to be‟/ “that‟: Seem, Known,

Thought, Estimated, Believe, Appear, Qualify, Likely, Predict,
Project
Caution about the use of preferences
• On the previous three slides, in case there is a choice between the left
column word / expression and the right column expression, the GMAT will
prefer the word / expression on right column.
• Preferences are the last on the list of priorities on SC.
• Only after checking Rules (Grammar), Meaning Clarity, and Idioms should
you think of these as the tie-breakers.
• The use of preferences before checking Rules (Grammar), Meaning Clarity,
and Idioms will certainly land you in trouble in tougher problems.
• For example, there are a few sentences in the Official Guide in which the use
of “BEING” is correct.
• Also, remember the entire phrase: for example the choice is between
“Instead of” and “Rather than”, not between “Instead” and “Rather”.
• Apply these with a lot of caution.

Glossary of basic grammar terms

CLAUSE: A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. If
the clause can stand alone as a sentence, it is an independent clause. If the
clause cannot stand alone as a sentence, it is a dependent clause.
Dependent clauses usually start with words such as after, before, while,
because, although, even though, since, or when. A dependent clause needs to
be connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE (has subject and verb, but is not a complete thought)
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (has subject and verb, and expresses a complete
thought; can stand alone as sentence)
SENTENCE: Although I enjoy snowboarding, I'd rather go scuba diving.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE: Although I enjoy snowboarding
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: I'd rather go scuba diving.

SENTENCE: Because Lila and I are vegetarians, we never eat steak.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE: Because Lila and I are vegetarians
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: we never eat steak
SENTENCE: I feel queasy whenever I watch my father eat peanut

butter, bacon, and tomato sandwiches.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE: whenever I watch my father eat peanut butter,
bacon, and tomato sandwiches
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: I feel queasy

RELATIVE CLAUSE
Relative clauses are clauses that describe a noun in the sentence. A relative
clause starts with a relative pronoun such as who, which, that, or where.
Relative clauses always have a subject and a verb, but they cannot stand
alone as sentences. If you remove the relative clause, a complete sentence,
which is the main clause, remains. EXAMPLES (relative clauses in italics):
• The animal control officers are looking for the dogs that attacked our horse. [The
subject of the relative clause is the relative pronoun that, which refers to the noun
dogs.]
• Sales clerks who work at Quickie Mart get a discount on hot dogs. [The subject of the
relative clause is who, which refers to the noun clerks.]
• Harold and Kumar frequently travel to Amsterdam, which is their favorite city. [The
subject of the relative clause is which, which refers to the noun Amsterdam.]
• People who live in the tropics are accustomed to high humidity. [Who refers to the
plural noun people.]
• Lamar's cousin works with scientists who were nominated for a Nobel Prize. [Who
refers to the plural noun scientists.]
• Dexter always orders vegetables that have been steamed or boiled. [That refers to the
plural noun vegetables.]
Note that relative clauses have verbs, but these verbs
are not the main verbs in the sentence. If you strike out the
relative clause, the main clause remains. In the sentences
below, the relative clause has been removed (check the full
sentences on the previous slide), but the sentence can still
stand structurally.
• The animal control officers are looking for dogs.

• Sales clerks get a discount on hot dogs.
• Harold and Kumar frequently travel to Amsterdam.
• People are accustomed to high humidity.
• Lamar's cousin works with scientists.
• Dexter always orders vegetables.

Consider the sentence below:
The Food and Drug Administration has identified Yummy

Tummy Vegetable Company, based in Lubbock, Texas, as the
source of the spinach, onions, and lettuce that was
contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
What does that refer to? That refers to spinach, onions, and
lettuce. Multiple subjects connected by and require a plural
verb: the spinach, onions, and lettuce were contaminated.
The Food and Drug Administration has identified Yummy

Tummy Vegetable Company, based in Lubbock, Texas, as the
source of the spinach, onions, and lettuce that were
contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

PHRASE
A phrase is a group of words that is not a clause or a sentence (doesn’t contain
subject / verb). A common type of phrase is the prepositional phrase – which
starts with a preposition and contains neither a subject nor a verb (e.g., in the
window, out the door, on the roof, under the bed). A phrase adds information to a
sentence and functions as an adjective, adverb, or some other part of speech. A
phrase can never stand alone as a sentence. Check some of the PHRASES IN
SENTENCES (in the italics)
Having practiced every day for six weeks, Martine was well prepared for the
racquetball tournament,
Unhappy with the menu choices, Big Jim left the restaurant.
Harry van Winkle, the queen's butler, has not taken a vacation in ten years.
To lose weight, you must exercise and limit calorie intake.
Persuaded by the prosecutor's evidence, the jury convicted the defendant of robbery.
Kimba parked her new car in the garage.
Everyone loves the chef’s special chili, made with chocolate and exotic peppers.

NOUNS: Nouns identify persons, places, things, or
ideas.
Proper nouns name specific persons, places, and
things: John Adams, New Jersey, Mississippi River,
Space Needle, Seattle, Boston Red Sox
Common nouns identify persons, places, or things
in general terms: president, state, river, building,
city, team, dog, truck, cup, hamburger
Abstract nouns identify ideas, intangible things,
and concepts: abundance, beauty, liberty, regret,
modification, sophistication, spirituality,
democracy, permissiveness, logic, restriction, vanity
GERUNDS
Gerunds are -ing forms that are used as nouns. A

gerund looks like a verb but is a noun.
Exercising is an important part of any diet plan.
Susan's hobbies include skiing and juggling.
Jack's coughing disrupted the class.

PRONOUNS
Pronouns are substitutes for nouns.
Instead of writing
Robert took Robert's laptop on the plane so Robert could

work on Robert's screenplay, you can write
Robert took his laptop on the plane so he could work on his

screenplay.

SUBJECTIVE PRONOUNS
Subjective pronouns are used as subjects. The subjective pronoun is

the person or thing that does the action of the verb.
• I want to go to Africa next year.

• You should visit your grandmother today.
• He and she went to the movies last night.
• It was a red car with black racing stripes.
• We started a website for fans of horror movies.
• They have never been to New York.
• He went to the movies, but I went home.
• She rescues cats.
• Are they selling the car?

OBJECTIVE PRONOUNS
Objective pronouns are used as the objects of verbs or the
objects of prepositional phrases.
• Martin gave his sweater to her.

• My mother called me six times during the party.
• The coach ordered them to run six laps around the track.
• I wanted to give my sister my insect collection, but she
didn't want it.
• Omar called me.
• Harlan and Kim visited us last Thursday.
• I asked Carrie to call him and her.
• Marjorie called them last Thursday.

REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS
Myself, herself, himself, yourself, itself, ourselves, and themselves are reflexive
pronouns. Reflexive pronouns are not substitutes for subjective and
objective pronouns. They should be used in two circumstances. The first is
for emphasis:
Steven Spielberg himself approved the script.
The players themselves were the most disappointed by the loss.
The second is in sentences in which the subject and the object are the
same person:
He hurt himself playing soccer.
I looked at myself in the mirror.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Indefinite pronouns are generic pronouns. They
include all, any, anybody, anyone, anything, some,
somebody, someone, something, every, everybody,
everyone, everything, no one, nobody, and nothing.

RELATIVE PRONOUNS
That, who, whom, whose, which, where, and when are relative
pronouns. Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. Relative
clauses are not the main clauses in the sentence. Rather, they add
information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
EXAMPLES (relative clauses in italics, relative pronoun italicized and

in bold):
Daniel wants to buy a car that seats at least five people.

[The relative pronoun that refers to the noun car.]
Students who drive to school must pay for parking permits.
[The relative pronoun who refers to the noun students]
Nene moved to Honolulu, where her father lives.
[The relative pronoun where refers to the noun Honolulu.]

VERBS
Verbs express an action or condition. Action verbs describe

what somebody or something is doing. The action may be
physical (she runs, he plays, they act, Manny smiles, the dog
barks) or mental (Levi thinks, Britney decides, Sam believes,
Kandi opposes). Sometimes a verb expresses a condition, a
state of being or a happening (fear exists, stuff happens,
beauty fades, butter softens, health deteriorates, food rots).

HELPING VERBS
Helping verbs are not the main verbs in a sentence. Rather, they help
the main verbs establish mood or time. Examples are forms of to be
(am, is, are, was, were); forms of to have (has, had, have); forms of to
do (do, does); and words such as may, might, must, could, should, will,
and would. Sometimes a main verb takes more than one helping verb.
EXAMPLES (helping verbs in italics):

Ashlee is going to New Mexico. [Main verb: go]
Johnny has been working at Pizza Shack for a year. [Main verb: work]
Carlo could have called home yesterday. [Main verb: call]
Linda must have gone to class today. [Main verb: go]
Joe should have been drafted by the Seahawks. [Main verb: draft]
Jack does not believe in God. [Main verb: believe]

LINKING VERBS: Unlike helping verbs, linking verbs are the
main verbs in the sentence. Linking verbs are not action verbs; they
are verbs that express a condition, an experience or a state of being.
Linking verbs include the following:
All forms of to be (e.g., am, is, are, was, were)

The verbs of the five senses (look, feel, smell, taste, and sound) other
non-action verbs (e.g., appear, seem, become, and remain)
Sam's car is blue. | Manny's bicycle was in the garage.
Linking verbs can also link subjects to other nouns (e.g., My usual
breakfast is a donut and two strips of bacon).
Think of linking verbs as equal to signs in an equation.
EXAMPLES: My new car is hot pink with black stripes. | Armando's
soup smells good. | I feel sick. | My teacher seemed annoyed. | My
father remains skeptical. | My favorite meal is roasted cheese and
mashed potatoes.
VERB TENSES
You don't need to know the names of the different verb tenses. You need only be familiar
with how some of these tenses are tested.
VERB: cry
PRESENT Simple or Present Indefinite he cries
PAST Simple or Past indefinite he cried
FUTURE Simple or Future indefinite he will cry
PRESENT PERFECT he has cried
PAST PERFECT he had cried
FUTURE PERFECT he will have cried
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE or Present Continuous he is crying
PAST PROGRESSIVE or Past Continuous he was crying
FUTURE PROGRESSIVE he will be crying
PRESENT-PERFECT PROGRESSIVE he has been crying
PAST-PERFECT PROGRESSIVE he had been crying
FUTURE-PERFECT PROGRESSIVE he will have been crying

ADJECTIVES
Adjectives describe people, places, and things. They modify nouns

and pronouns. Happy, sad, tall, short, dull, and sharp are all adjectives.
In some cases, nouns can be used as adjectives. For example, school is
a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective, as in school uniform,
school principal, and school supplies.
Phrases can also serve as adjectives. Examples of phrases acting as

adjectives are "the man with the yellow hat," "the boy crossing the
street," and "the car with three headlights." In each of these examples,
the italicized phrase describes the noun that precedes it.

ADVERBS: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Adverbs generally tell the reader.
• HOW something was done (e.g., carefully, quickly, sloppily),

• TO WHAT DEGREE it was done (e.g., very, really, especially),
• WHEN it occurred (e.g., now, then, yesterday, today, tomorrow,
soon)
• HOW OFTEN it occurred (e.g., always, frequently, often, never), or
• WHERE it occurred (e.g., here, there, everywhere, somewhere).
Grandpa drives slowly. (The adverb slowly modifies the verb drives.)
Grandpa drives very slowly. (The adverb very modifies the adverb
slowly.)
Grandma's bran muffins are especially tasty. (The adverb especially
modifies the adjective tasty).

Adjectives should not be used to modify verbs, adverbs, or other adjectives.
Adjectives modify nouns (e.g., green car, quick rabbit, clever script). Adverbs modify
verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs (e.g., drive carefully, very smart student, run
especially quickly).
Wrong: Under federal law, heroin dealers are treated harsher than marijuana
dealers.
Harsher is the comparative form of the adjective harsh (harsh, harsher, harshest).
The adjective harsher should not be used to modify the verb treat. Treat should be
modified by the comparative form of the adverb harshly (harshly, more harshly,
most harshly).
Correct: Under federal law, heroin dealers are treated more harshly than
marijuana dealers.
Wrong: Many celebrities, including Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, and Michael
Jackson, are buried in the heavy guarded Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale,
California.
The adjective heavy should not be used to modify the adjective guarded. How is the
memorial park guarded? Heavily, not heavy.
Correct: heavily guarded

Wrong: Rapper Fat Joe has many unusual pieces of jewelry,
but his enormous Terror Squad necklace is the most
unique.
Unique means one of a kind. Something is either one of a

kind or not one of a kind. The necklace cannot be the most
unique.
Correct: Rapper Fat Joe has many unusual pieces of

jewelry, but his enormous Terror Squad necklace is unique.

PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are words that give information about direction,
location, position, time, and other relationships. Some of the most
common are of, at, by, to, from, in, on, out, with, for, about, between,
through, under, and over.
Some prepositions consist of more than one word. They should be

treated as single-word prepositions.
• according to
• along with
• because of
• except for
• in addition to
• in spite of
• instead of
• previous to
• prior to
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
Prepositional phrases are groups of words that start with a
preposition and end with a noun or pronoun (e.g., in the tree, on the
boat, in spite of her attitude, to her, from him). The noun or pronoun
in the prepositional phrase is the OBJECT of the preposition. A
sentence may have more than one prepositional phrase.
EXAMPLES (prepositional phrases in brackets in italics, objects in

bold):
• Sophie has more than four hundred songs [on her iPod].
• There are two cartons [of milk] [in the refrigerator].
• I have to go [to the gym] [at 6:00 p.m.]
• I sat [between Joe and Karl] [on the flight] [to Phoenix].
• The closest Starbucks is located [at the corner] [of Oak and Main]
[in Ritzville].

CONJUNCTIONS: Conjunctions are connectors used to connect
words, phrases, or clauses. Conjunctions can connect words to
words, phrases to phrases, and sentences to sentences. The most
common conjunctions are and, but, and or, but there are others.
EXAMPLES:
• Harold and Kumar traveled to Amsterdam. (noun + noun)
• Harold coughed and sneezed during the flight. (verb + verb)
• I will do my homework during study hall or after rugby practice.
(prepositional phrase + prepositional phrase)
• I searched the whole neighborhood, but I could not find my dog.
(Independent clause + Independent clause)
• Ronnie failed to study for his chemistry final, so he failed the test.
(Independent clause + Independent clause)

CONJUNCTION PAIRS
Some conjunctions appear in pairs:
either ... or | neither … nor | not only … but also | not just …
but also | both ... and | whether ... or | just as ... so too
EXAMPLES:
• Either Nico or Shawn will write the lab report.
• Carmen is not only an accomplished singer but also a
brilliant scientist.
• Jack is neither a good student nor a good athlete.
• Harold plays tennis not just for fun but also for the prize
money.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (used in dependent clauses):
A subordinating conjunction connects an incomplete sentence (dependent clause) to a
complete sentence (independent clause). When a subordinating conjunction is placed at
the beginning of a group of words, it sets up the need for further information (e.g., while I
was in San Francisco, although I no longer eat meat, after Carlo joined the drama club).
The clause with the subordinating conjunction needs to be connected to another clause
to complete the thought. EXAMPLES (subordinating conjunctions in italics):
• While I was in San Francisco, I went to Golden Gate Park.
• Although I no longer eat meat, I love the smell of grilled hamburgers.
• After Carlo joined the drama club, he lost interest in football.
Sometimes the dependent clause follows the independent clause:
• I went to the gym because I needed to work out.
• I hide in my room whenever those bratty kids visit.
• Carlo wants to perform at the talent show even though he can't sing.
EXAMPLES OF SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: After, Although, As long as, As soon as,
Because, Before, Even if, Even though, In order that, If, Since, Unless, Whenever, Where,
Whereas, Wherever, While

SC Error Type 1: Parallelism
Parallel Structure means

“CONSISTENCY” in writing.
Parallelism figures in more than

half of GMAT sentences… the
single most important error type on
the test.
List (String) Parallelism
1. Noun + noun + noun: He likes roses, violets, and
bicycles.
2. Verb + verb + verb: When she was on stage, she

danced, sang, and acted like an angel.
3. Adjective + adjective + adjective: My teacher is

fussy, picky, and hard-headed.
4. Infinitive + infinitive + infinitive: I like to sing, (to)

draw, and (to) write poetry.
– Here one has to write “to” either only once or in all the
parts.

List (String) Parallelism
5. Phrase + phrase: With his arms akimbo and
in a state of bliss, he leaped off the cliff.
6. Clause + clause: If she capitulates and when

she apologizes, we will forgive her blunders
and unforgettable actions.

Exercise
1. Mumbai houses 20 million people, the cultural
capital of India, and has a lot of potential for a
newcomer with dreams.
2. Non-traditional students often study long hours,

get limited sleep, and up again with the sunrise.
3. The volume of business depends on an

institution’s delivery method, production time,
and whether or not it is open or closed.

Exercise
1. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to a bee

sting may include dizziness, hives or rashes,
swelling of the wound, difficulty in breathing,
intense itching, and losing consciousness.
2. The new employee will be responsible for filing

paperwork, answering phones, and will take
new orders.

Exercise
1. Doctors Without Borders is a private organization that
arranges medical treatment in foreign lands, particularly
in nations with an endemic outbreak of disease, states
at war, and in poverty-stricken countries.
2. Air Force One, the President's main mode of cross-

country travel, is not like any ordinary plane; it has
rooms for exercising, meeting with staff, operating in
case of medical emergency and a place to tape
interviews.

N || N || N
N || -ING of (gerund) || ING (gerund) || To + Verb
Standard Noun > ING of > ING > To + Verb

String… Special case
Sometimes the last element in a “string” may actually not belong to the list … it
may contain something contradictory / out of sync…
Since the teacher introduced the classroom reward

system, students have begun paying closer attention,
completing homework, following directions, and have
stopped causing disruptions during lessons.
A (list X, Y, and Z), and B

String… Special case
Consider the following real-GMAT question:
The diet of the ordinary Greek in classical times was

largely vegetarian—vegetables, fresh cheese, oatmeal,
and meal cakes, and meat rarely.
A. and meat rarely
B. and meat was rare
C. with meat as rare
D. meat a rarity
E. with meat as a rarity

The diet... was largely vegetarian: meat cannot be
treated as part of the list of vegetarian foods. So we have to
show meat as a contrast.
Largely and Rarely are contradictory to each other in meaning.

So we can't use AND (shows continuation). We need a
contradiction word. With is used as the contradiction word
here. Here the word rarity is used to mean a rare dish. Imagine
the usage of the word delicacy to mean a kind of tasty dish.
So rarity and delicacy are identical in usage as far as this
sentence goes. All the other words are nouns: vegetables,
cheese, oatmeal, meal cakes ... so the last must also be a
noun (rarity) to maintain the correct balance. E is the only
answer.
The word “with” can be used to show contrast, e.g.,
He is brilliant, with some occasional traces of dumbness.

Cause Effect Parallelism
If there is a clear cause and effect sequence, the cause is
generally in the past / present simple tense and all the effects
have to be parallel in the –ing form (subordinate action):
19. The stock market crashed, which caused a lot of people to lose
money.
20. The stock market crashed, and it caused a lot of people to lose money.
21. The stock market crashed and caused a lot of people to lose money.
22. The stock market crashed, causing a lot of people to lose money.

1. The snow covered the train tracks by more than a foot,
prompted the transit authority to shut down service
temporarily, and causing discontent among commuters
who were left stranded for hours.
2. According to scientists who monitored its path, an

expanding cloud of energized particles ejected from the
Sun recently triggered a large storm in the magnetic
field that surrounds Earth, which brightened the
Northern Lights and also knocked out a
communications satellite.

When Parallelism is NOT the correct
construction …
If a sentence involves 2 actions, one main and the other subordinate
action, and if the second action is
• inseparable (in time and space) from the first action
• the effect / offshoot / result of the main action (cause)
• dependent on the main action / can’t happen without the first
action
• explains how the first action happens / happened
• Elaborates on the main action
In all the above cases, we the second verb in the –ING form… not in
the parallel form
OR
When items aren’t comparable or similar, we can’t use parallelism.
When Parallelism is NOT the correct
construction … the sentences below are correct
and shouldn’t use parallel structure
1. Ken traveled around the world, visiting historic sites, eating

native foods, and learning about new cultures.
2. The rain continued to fall, providing water for the thirsty plants
but flooding the streets as well.
3. They danced through life, loving one another and enjoying

their adventures.

that… and that… Parallelism
He said that the college had rusticated him and his
future was bleak.
The scientist said THAT the research needed a new

investment but he would not like federal intervention.
Please read the detailed explanation in the notes

below.

CAUTION: If the word THAT is used as a pronoun,
THAT and THAT parallelism is not compulsory.
Imagine the sentence:
Countries that invest heavily in military and thus gain
some kind of forced hegemony in world affairs don’t get
the respect that they would otherwise get.
Here THAT is a pronoun referring to countries. So here,
after that word AND, the word THAT is not compulsorily
repeated.

• The two biggest gains from the rise of the stock
markets are THAT companies look forward to growth
and THAT investors remain upbeat to explore new
opportunities.
• The coach told the players THAT they should get a lot
of sleep, THAT they should not eat too much, and
THAT they should do some warm-up exercises before
the game.

• The salesman expected THAT he would
present his product at the meeting, THAT
there would be time for him to show his
slide presentation, and THAT he would
be required to answer questions raised
by prospective buyers.
• My objections are, first, THAT the
measure is unjust; second, THAT it is
unconstitutional.

That and That parallelism
Reporting Verb + that + Independent clause + AND / OR / BUT +
that + independent clause
He said that the country was suffering from recession and the only way out was a
loan from IMF.
The scientist said that the research needed a new investment but he would not like
federal intervention.
If the word THAT is a pronoun, THAT and That parallelism is not

compulsory
Countries that invest heavily in military technology and thus gain some kind of
forced hegemony in world affairs don‘t get the respect that they would otherwise get.

Will versus Would
The following sentences are correct
He says that he will come to the party.

He said that he would come to the party.
She predicts that India will become a stronger
economy.
She predicted that India would become a
stronger economy.
 A and B
 A, B and C
 A, B, and C
 A, B, C and D
A, B, C, and D
If there are more than two elements in a list of

parallel elements, we must use a comma just
before the word AND.
Parallelism Markers
And / OR / BUT
Although / Yet / As well as / Semicolon
Independent clause + Independent clause
Parallel connectors (X || Y table)
Comparisons
Tenses (Past || Present || Future)

Rules for parallelism
• All parallel elements must be in the same form

(N, N, N | V, V, V | Adj, Adj, Adj | Phrase, Phrase, Phrase |
Clause, Clause, Clause)
• All parallel elements must refer to the same

subject
• All parallel elements must be logically separable

from each other in time and space

Parallel Connectors (X || Y)
• X rather than Y • More X than Y
• Between X and Y • Believe X to be Y
• Both X and Y • X is Y
• (Range) From X to Y • To think of X as Y
• Either X or Y • X regarded as Y
• Neither X nor Y • Prefer X to Y
• Just as X so Y • Mistake X for Y
• Not only X but (also) Y • The same to X as to Y
• Not X but (rather) Y • As … to X as to Y
• Not so X as Y • No less was X than was Y
• Same X as Y • The more X…. the er… Y
• X is Greater, fewer, less, • As X … as Y
more… than Y • Whether X or Y

Parallel Connectors (X || Y)
• Critics of the current Bowl Championship Series feel that
moving from a computer-ranking format to creating a
playoff system will improve the integrity of the
competition.
• Jim Thorpe, the legendary multi-sport star, enjoyed

playing football more than he ran track and field, but it
was winning the gold medal at the 1912 Olympic
pentathlon that shot him to fame.
• A time not for words, but action.

Parallel Connectors (AND / OR / BUT)
• Ralph likes a variety of people, including

those who are popular and who are not.
• The Department of Motor Vehicles is

considering a new paging system that
would alleviate lines for walk-in customers
renewing their licenses and if employees
are overwhelmed they would be assisted.

X is Y parallelism
• To say that I do not deserve her is being unfair
to me.
• The experiences we have when children still
influence our behavior in adulthood.
• The new toy was the father’s trying to appease
the ruffled child.

1. The park ranger advises hikers to register at the ranger
station, to bring a compass and a current map of the
trail, and bright colors should be worn during hunting
season.
2. The editors will evaluate each written submission based
on content, style, and how original it is.
3. He saw an iguana, alligator, and lizard.
4. He likes to walk, to run, and skip.
5. Mark disapproves and protests against using animals in
medical research.
6. Having lost its federal funding, the research team had to
decide whether to terminate the project or if private
funding should be sought.

1. Mike Myers is both a brilliant physical comedian and has
been successful at screen writing.
2. Jessica has neither the athletic ability to succeed in
sports nor does she have the motivation to succeed in
school.
3. Soccer is popular both in Chile and Argentina.
4. Yoga class will be held in either the studio or community
center.
5. Hannon will attend the convention as either a delegate
or as an organizer.
6. Many movie stars say that performing on Broadway is
far more challenging and rewarding than their
experience as actors in films.

1. Issued on January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation committed the
Union to ending slavery, freed all the slaves in the Confederacy, and African-
Americans were authorized to enlist in the Union army.
2. Neither hiking in the Appalachian Mountains nor the dive in the Gulf of Mexico
was as much fun as I thought it would be.
3. Candidates for political office must decide whether to use public money to
fund their campaigns or if they should rely on private contributions to pay
campaign expenses.
4. Sean Combs, known in the music world as Diddy, is both a successful record
producer and, as an entrepreneur, he owns a clothing line, film-production
company, and two restaurants.
5. Professor Presley is interested more in writing his book about bees than to
assist students with their lab work.
6. To qualify for an Oscar nomination, an animated film must run at least seventy
minutes, have more animated action than live action, and a frame-by-frame
technique must be used to create movement.
7. While studying in Egypt in 2002, Jennifer both visited popular tourist
destinations and obscure historical sites.

1. The rebels demanded the withdrawal of government forces from disputed
regions, significant reductions in overall troop levels, (raising / the raising
of) the rebel flag on holidays, AND a general pardon.
2. The rebels demanded the withdrawal of government forces from disputed
regions AND (releasing / the releasing of / the release of) certain political
prisoners.
3. The match was interesting but fixed. (is Interesting parallel to Fixed?)
4. The man speaking at the event talked about the dangers of the war,
cracked many jokes, and enthralled the audience by his witty one-liners. (Is
it correct to write speaking not parallel to talked, cracked, and
enthralled?)
5. The crumbled chair, broken and aging with each passing day, was nearing
the end of its life.

Real-GMAT question:
First discovered more than 30 years ago, Lina's sunbird, a four-

and-a-half-inch animal found in the Philippines and that resembles
a hummingbird, has shimmering metallic colors on its head; a
brilliant orange patch, bordered with red tufts, in the center of its
breast; and a red eye.
A. found in the Philippines and that resembles
B. found in the Philippines and that, resembling
C. found in the Philippines and resembling
D. that is found in the Philippines and it resembles
E. that is found in the Philippines, resembling

OMISSION (Parallel structure)
WRONG: The doctors have been and will

continue to conduct tests on the sick patient.
WRONG: She is a believer and supporter of the

theory of love at first sight.

ING forms – must read carefully at least
4-5 times
• An –ING form alone cannot be a verb… To be part of a verb, it must be
accompanied by some form of the verb "to be." So IS + ING, WAS + ING, AM +
ING, ARE + ING, WERE + ING, HAS BEEN + ING, HAVE BEEN + ING, HAD BEEN +
ING, WILL BE + ING etc… will be verbs.
• He IS RUNNING (VERB) – “IS + RUNNING” together make the verb
Note: It doesn’t mean that everything of the form IS + ING is always verb. Focus on
sentences below:
Seeing is believing. | All he needs is training. | His main problem is drinking.
Here seeing, believing, training, and drinking are all nouns (gerunds). A gerund is ING
form acting as a NOUN.
•RUNNING (Noun – gerund) is a good exercise.
•The remaking of (Noun – gerund) Capitalism is called for.

ING forms
“Being an American” – both noun and adjective
Being an American (Noun – gerund) was an advantage for him in the home
country.
The best test to identify NOUNS is to ask a question with WHAT? If the
answer is the –ING form, the given word is a noun (gerund).
In the first sentence, we can definitely ask WHAT was an advantage? … The
answer will be “being an American” … so it is a noun.
BUT in the sentence:
Being an American, she enjoyed certain privileges in Canada.
In this sentence, “Being an American” is a modifier (acts as an adjective) for

she. It is modifying the word she. So this is also called a modifier.

ING forms
–ING Forms used as Adjectives (Present Participles) –
referring to a single noun in the sentence:
The resulting temperature was high. (The word ‘resulting’ is an

Adjective – present participle – used BEFORE the noun
‘temperature’).
The temperature resulting from the warming was high. (The

word ‘resulting’ is an Adjective – present participle – used AFTER
the noun ‘temperature’).
Here the word warming is a noun.

ING forms
–ING Forms used as Adjectival Modifiers (Present Participles) – referring to a
single noun:
Looking at the baby’s picture, she said that she also wanted a baby. (The word
‘looking’ is an Adjective – this word modifies SHE – so we call it the adjectival
modifier―used away from and BEFORE the noun).
The captain resented the cuts in endorsements, fuming at the very suggestion given by
the chairman of the Board. (The word ‘fuming’ is an Adjective – it modifies the captain –
so we call it the adjectival modifier―used away from and AFTER the noun).
Remember: Adjectival modifiers used after

the comma usually don’t refer to the
immediately preceding subject.

ING forms
–ING Forms used as Adverbial Modifier – referring to a verb, action,
or the entire preceding clause:
The firm’s investors invested unwisely for three consecutive years, resulting in
the complete collapse of the bank. (Here the word ‘resulting’ modifies the
entire clause – so it is called the adverbial modifier).
“Leading” here can’t refer to one specific noun … it refers to the verb invested
unwisely / to the whole situation / to the whole clause
ING forms – when -ING forms refer to the whole situation / verbs / clauses,
they are called adverbial modifiers.
Adjectival modifier refers to a noun
Adverbial modifier refers to a verb / clause / action / situation

More examples of Gerunds (ING forms used as nouns)
Fishing is fun. | Smoking costs a lot of money. | I don't like writing.
My favorite occupation is reading. | I don't like writing letters.
Pointless questioning makes me sick. I dislike his coming here uninvited.
She is good at dancing. He is crazy about singing.
I don't like playing cards. They are afraid of swimming in the sea.
You should give up smoking. Sam dreams of being a pop-star.
He is interested in making friends. My uncle is afraid of going by plane.
We insist on cooking the dinner ourselves. Cooking is one of her hobbies.
Cycling is fun. Getting a good job is not easy.
Finding a parking space in this area is quite difficult.
Driving is becoming more and more expensive because of the increasing oil prices.
Making fun of other people is not nice.
Learning about other cultures makes people more tolerant.
A settling of debts is called for.
The clearing of forests is a bad idea.
The making of Titanic was aired.
The accurate tracking of satellites is important for the space agency.
In the sentences above, all the ING forms are nouns (gerunds)
Possessive before Gerund
“I dislike his coming here uninvited.” is correct
“I dislike him coming here uninvited.” is wrong
So, before a gerund, the possessive form is

correct. Here his is a possessive form.

Doctors generally agree that such factors as cigarette
smoking, eating rich foods high in fats, and consuming
alcohol not only do damage by themselves but also
aggravate genetic predispositions toward certain diseases.
N || N || N
N || -ING of (gerund) || ING (gerund) || To + Verb
Standard Noun > ING of > ING > To + Verb

Infinitives
• “To + Verb” is called the Infinitive construction
• “To + Verb” is never a verb
• “To + Verb” can function as Noun or Adjective or
Adverb

Infinitives (as nouns)
• “To dance beneath the stars with his celebrity crush is Jared's only
dream.” – WHAT is his dream? to dance … the answer to a WHAT is
always a noun, so “To + Dance” is a noun here.
• “Jack likes to meditate after a stressful day.” What does Jack like?
To meditate. … the answer to a WHAT is always a noun, so to +
meditate is a noun here.
• To travel all across Italy is Lucretia's New Year resolution. (noun)
• To finish a new book is the only reason Kyle would stay up all
night. (noun)
• A good habit to have is to go for a walk in the evening. (noun)
• Katherine wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle. (noun)
• To err is human. | To beg is a disgraceful act. | My desire was to
become a doctor.
• The aim of his life is to serve the down-trodden people.
Infinitives (as adjectives)
• The best book to help you understand fairy tales is titled
Once Upon a Time. (to + help is modifying the noun
"book")
• The only way to find the treasure chest is to meet with
the fairy prince.
(to + find is modifying the noun "way")
• His least-favorite power tool to make home
improvements is the handsaw. (to + make is modifying
the noun "power tool")
• My brother gave me a cake to eat.
• My uncle bought me a cycle to ride.
Infinitives (as adverbs)
• Marie walked to breathe in some fresh air. Here, "to breathe in
some fresh air" is modifying the verb "walked." It's giving us more information about why
she took this action.
• Joshua intended to write a novel during his sabbatical.
(modifying the verb "intended")
• Aisling is planting a vegetable garden to eat organic
foods right from her own backyard. (modifying the verb
“is planting")
• Darius is running 5 miles a day to train for the Boston
marathon. (modifying the verb “is running")
• I turned my face to avoid him.
• Mr. Smith came to teach me English.
More examples of ING forms as adjectives – called present participles
ING forms used as adjectives are called present participles
• The barking dog kept us awake at night. (Adjective immediately before the
noun)
• The dog barking outside the gate kept us awake. (Adjective immediately after
the noun)
• Barking and yelling, the dog chased him. (Adjective modifier before the noun,
away from the noun)
• The dog chased the man ferociously, barking as loudly as it could. (Adjective
modifier after the comma, away from the noun)
• A frightening movie
• The mugger made a threatening move towards me.
In the sentences above, all the ING form words are adjectives (present participles)

More examples of ING forms as adjectives – called present participles
 She jealously watched her boyfriend flirting with another girl.
 The party was boring.
 The car race was exciting.
 Passengers wanting to go to Liverpool had to change in Manchester.
 Irish people living in Great Britain have the right to vote in British elections.
 The house standing at the end of the road will soon be sold.
 The boy carrying a blue parcel crossed the street.
 Talking to her friend, she forgot everything around her.
 Being vegetarians, they don't eat meat.
 Wagging its tail, the dog bit the postman.
 The movie was The Incredible Shrinking Man.
 Cowboy Bob put on his riding clothes when he went for a canter.
 The weather was freezing cold Saturday.
 The sailing ship ran aground in Newfoundland.
In the sentences above, all the ING form words are adjectives (present participles)

More examples of ING forms as adjectives – called
present participles
 Uncle Fester has a snoring parrot.
 The newest broadcasting station plays only rap music.
 XYZ's holding company went bankrupt last month.
 Grandmother lost her reading glasses again.
 The rustic cabin didn't even have running water!
 Her clinging gown made her look fat.
 The burning grass crept close to the house.
 The crying baby drew a long breath and sucked in a spider crouching in
the corner of the crib.
In the sentences above, all the ING form words are adjectives (present
participles)

-ED forms (third forms of the verb) as adjectives
– called past participles … When the third form of the verb is used
as an adjective, it is called past participle
 Jennifer's burned hand hurt her very much.

 The broken chair was used for firewood.
 Her recipe called for 12 beaten eggs.
 Nancy found a hidden staircase behind the paneling in the old house.
 All the protesters had shaved heads.
 Gertrude threw out the spoiled meat.
 Laura, fascinated by the movie star, wrote him a letter every day.
 Each Saturday, we have a pizza delivered to our home.
 We had our last party organized by professionals.
 I have a cat called Tari.
 I am very interested in history.
 The cup filled with milk stood on the table.
In the sentences above, all the BOLD words are adjectives (past participles)

-ED forms (third forms of the verb) as adjectives – called past participles …
When the third form of the verb is used as an adjective, it is called past participle
 The cup filled with milk stood on the table.

 The battle fought at this place was very significant.
 The books sent to us are for my aunt.
 The picture stolen from the museum was offered on eBay.
 The documentary telecast last Tuesday was impressive.
 The conference planned by non-governmental organizations was about
globalization.
 The problems discussed will be essential for your exam.
 Last month I read a book written by a Scottish author.
 I found the key hidden under the mat.
 Accused of murder, he was arrested.
 Shocked by the bad news, she burst into tears.
 Excited about their birthday party, the girls could not sleep.

-ED forms (third forms of the verb) as adjectives – called past participles …
When the third form of the verb is used as an adjective, it is called past participle
 Born into a rich family, she got everything she wished for.
 Built in 1859, Big Ben is a national symbol.
 The stolen baby was found by the police unharmed.
 Dean's broken arm was set in plaster by the doctor at the
hospital.
 Please bring all of the required documents for your interview
tomorrow.
 The mangled pair of sunglasses, bruised face, broken arm,
and bleeding knees meant Genette had taken another spill on
her mountain bike.

The simple rule for parallelism is: Adjectives || Present Participles ||
Past Participles
• A mastodon carcass, thawed only once AND still fresh, is on display.

• The match was interesting but fixed.
• Only a few feet wide BUT spanning a continent, the railroad changed
history.
• The sizzler was spicy and appetizing, but a bit overcooked.
• Because of strained budgets and fading public support, Indian Hockey is
dying a slow death.
• Bold, interesting, and liked by all the sections of the media, the movie
went on to become the biggest blockbuster of the year.
• The smoke coming out of the window and frosted by the fog was very
thick.
All the sentences above are correct.

Mothers who take care to keep their infants dry,
well-fed, and well-rested often end up visiting
the pediatrician on much fewer occasions than
those who don’t.
Here dry || well-fed || well-rested
All are adjectives describing the state of the

infants.

In each of the sentence parts below, the word in BOLD is the
adjective...
an interesting book a sleeping child
two playing dogs the winning number
several travelling bags the moving power
a touching moment an exciting film
a working man running water
the lost son an interested audience
a broken leg an emptied bottle
a closed door a decorated room
two packed bags the written letters
the sold car the bought apples

Whether to use present or past participle - an easy test:
Try to add a “was” or a “were” temporarily in the part of the sentence … if the
sentence makes sense in the context of the sentence, the word without the
“was / were” is the correct adjective.
The volcano erupting / erupted was a sight to watch.
Here … “The volcano was erupting” makes sense and “The volcano was
erupted” is nonsensical. So the right adjective is erupting.
The cell-phone designed / designing for the elderly had larger keys.
Here … “The cell-phone was designed” makes sense and “The cell-phone was
designing” is nonsensical. So the right adjective is designed.

Whether to use present or past participle - an easy test:
NOTE: If you can’t insert the words WAS / WERE, the word has to be a
SIMPLE PAST TENSE VERB (in the second form). Also, if we can insert
WAS / WERE, then “was / were + 3rd form of the verb (past participle)” is a
passive verb.
• He stretched the wire. (VERB)

• The elastic stretched because of repeated usage became too loose to be
used in the child’s pants. (ADJECTIVE)
• The deadline was stretched to meet the targets. (PASSIVE VERB)
• The man found the coin. (VERB)

• The coin found in the museum turned out to be of inferior quality.
(ADJECTIVE)
• The coin was found in the museum. (PASSIVE VERB)

•The book sold 3 million copies. (VERB)
•The book sold was of an inferior quality. (ADJECTIVE)
•The book was sold at almost all the stores. (PASSIVE VERB)

Imagine the sentence: He saw a man injured (somebody else
was responsible) by a bullet and limping in pain.
Let’s apply the simple WAS / WERE test: The man was injured by
the bullet is correct … The man was injuring by the bullet is
nonsensical. So injured is the right adjective.
The man was limping in pain is correct … The man was limped
in pain is nonsensical. So limping is the correct adjective.
So injured (past participle, –ed adjective) is parallel to limping

(present participle, ING adjective).

Semicolon – both sides parallel
On the GMAT, the Semi-colon is used in the following situations:
1. If a sentence has 2 independent clauses (2 balanced sentences) that are

logically connected but independent in structure, then the semi-colon must
be used to join them. Imagine the sentence:
Jack and Joan are inseparable; they do everything together.
In this sentence, the 2 parts can be written as 2 independent sentences. “Jack

and Joan are inseparable.” IS A PROPER AND BALANCED SENTENCE. “They
do everything together.” IS A PROPER AND BALANCED SENTENCE AS WELL.
So, in this sentence, the use of the semi-colon is definitely justified. The word
THEY can surely be written in the second part… as the semicolon is
about structural independence and not about meaning
independence.
Now imagine the sentence:
Although he is poor, he is very honest.
In this, the first part “Although he is poor” is definitely not a full

sentence… (this is called a dependent clause) … But the second part
“He is very honest.” Is a proper and balanced sentence. (this is called
an independent clause) … So in this case, the use of the semicolon is
not justified… we have to use the comma only.
To summarize:
Independent clause + Independent clause – use the semicolon
Independent clause + Dependent clause – use the comma
Dependent clause + Independent clause – use the comma
Dependent clause + Dependent clause – NOT a proper sentence.

Semicolon – both sides parallel
WRONG: Formerly, science was taught by the
textbook method; while now the laboratory
method is employed.

Semicolon – lists within lists
Another usage of Semicolon: Use Semicolons in an embedded List
You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain
internal punctuation. In these cases, the semicolon helps us keep track of the
divisions between the items.
1. I need the weather statistics for the following cities: London, England; London,
Ontario; Paris, France; Paris, Ontario; Perth, Scotland; Perth, Ontario.
2. My plan included taking him to a nice—though not necessarily expensive—
dinner; going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this
time of year; and serenading him with my accordion.
3. The conference has people who have come from Moscow, Idaho; Springfield,
California; Alamo, Tennessee; and other places as well. (Note the final semicolon,
rather than a comma, after Tennessee.)

Semicolon – lists within lists
Wrong: Self-compassion is made up of mindfulness, the
ability to manage thoughts and emotions without being
carried away or repressing them, common humanity, or
empathy with the suffering of others, and self-kindness, a
recognition of your own suffering and a commitment to
solving the problem.

Parallelism Mixed-bag Practice –
GMAT style Questions

1. The earliest English settlers in Virginia failed to
survive their first winter in the New World because of
factors such as inadequate food supplies, harsh
weather, and an inability to communicate with Native
Americans.
A. an inability
B. that they were unable
C. because they were unable
D. being unable
E. Lacking an ability

2. Originally developed by ancient Hawaiians, surfing appeals to people due to the
sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an
unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable,
and the camaraderie that often develops among people in their common quest to
conquer nature.
A. surfing appeals to people due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill,
and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful
and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
B. surfing’s appeal is its unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced
maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene,
violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
C. surfing’s appeal to people is due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline,
skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns,
graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and developing camaraderie
D. surfing appeals to people due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill,
and high paced maneuvering, a backdrop that is unpredictable and that is, by turns,
gracefully and serenely violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often
develops
E. surfing appeals to people due to their unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and
high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and
serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops

3. The art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and
Shakespeare's plays all represent great achievements in
human history.
A. The art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and
Shakespeare's plays all represent great achievements in
human history.
B. Michelangelo, Edison, and Shakespeare all represent great
achievements in human history.
C. All great achievements in human history are represented by
the art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and the
plays of Shakespeare.
D. The art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and the
plays of Shakespeare all represent great achievements in
human history.
E. Michelangelo’s art, Edison’s inventions, and Shakespeare's
plays represent all great achievements in human history.

4. The basic needs of the average cat are simple
and largely inexpensive: food, water, affection,
and shelter, and occasional visits to the
veterinarian.
A. and occasional visits to the veterinarian
B. with occasional veterinarian visits
C. with occasional visits to the veterinarian
D. yet occasionally visiting the veterinarian
E. but some occasional visits to the veterinarian are
needed

5. Examples of "tulipomania," a term coined from the tulip craze of the seventeenth-
century in the Netherlands, include speculative bubbles in South Seas trading
rights in the 1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock market in the
1920s, and the obsession for Beanie Babies in the 1990s.
A. Examples of "tulipomania," a term coined from the tulip craze of the seventeenth-
century in the Netherlands, include speculative bubbles in South Seas trading
rights in the 1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock market in the
1920s, and
B. Examples of "tulipomania," a term coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze
in the Netherlands, include speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the
1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, and the U.S. stock market in the 1920s,
as well as
C. Coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands, examples of
"tulipomania" include speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the
1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, and the U.S. stock market in the 1920s,
as well as
D. Coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands, "tulipomania"
includes examples such as speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the
1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock market in the 1920s, and
E. "Tulipomania," coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands,
included speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the 1720s, Victorian
real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock market in the 1920s, and
6. Though once powerful political forces, labor unions have
lost much of their influence, which has resulted in a
political climate that some analysts claim to favor
management.
A. which has resulted in a political climate that some
analysts claim to favor
B. resulting in a political climate that some analysts claim
favors
C. which has resulted in a political climate that some
analysts claim that favors
D. resulting in a political climate that some analysts claim
to be in favor of
E. which has resulted in a political climate that has been
claimed by some analysts to favor

7. Agencies studying discrimination in housing have
experimentally proved that minority clients are often
discouraged as prospective buyers of residential real estate
and the antidiscrimination legislation of recent decades were
only mitigating, rather than abolishing, inequity in housing
practices.
A. the antidiscrimination legislation of recent decades were only
mitigating, rather than abolishing, inequity in housing practices
B. in recent decades, the antidiscrimination legislation only
mitigated, rather than abolishing, inequity in housing practices
C. that antidiscrimination legislation of recent decades has only
mitigated, rather than abolished, inequity in housing practices
D. that, in recent decades, antidiscrimination legislation has only
mitigated, rather than abolishing, housing practices’ inequity
E. that recent decades’ antidiscrimination legislation only were
mitigating, rather than abolishing, housing practices’ inequity
8. According to anthropologists, the use of human language
covers a wide spectrum from practical communication between
people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy
within a social group.
A. practical communication between people engaged in the same
task to establishing hierarchy
B. communicating practically between people engaging in the
same task to the establishment of hierarchy
C. practical communication between people engaged in the same
task to the establishing of hierarchy
D. communicating practically between people engaging in the
same task to hierarchy established
E. practical communication between people engaged in the same
task to the establishment of hierarchy

9. Art experts have attributed the enduring intrigue of Leonardo da
Vinci's Mona Lisa to everything from having an enigmatic smile,
which was never explained, to her association with the rich and
powerful families of Europe.
A. having an enigmatic smile, which was never explained
B. having an enigmatic smile, which has never been explained
C. her enigmatic smile, for which there has never been an
explanation
D. her enigmatic smile, which has never been explained
E. having an enigmatic smile, for which there has never been an
explanation

10. Recent research has indicated that sustainable weight
loss is generally a result not of self-deprivation or
adopting an extreme diet, but a healthy lifestyle that
integrates a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a long-
term approach.
A. self-deprivation or adopting an extreme diet, but
B. self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but of
C. self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but
D. depriving oneself or adopting an extreme diet, but
E. depriving oneself or adopting an extreme diet, but that of

11. Though laypeople often refer to the panda as a bear, due to its
physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has shown that it is more
closely related to the common raccoon than any member of the
bear family.
A. due to its physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has shown that
it is more closely related to the common raccoon than
B. due to the fact that it physically resembles one, DNA testing
showed that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than
is
C. because of its physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has
shown that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than
D. because of its resemblance to one physically, DNA testing has
shown that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than is
E. because of its physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has
shown that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than to

12. While larger banks can afford to maintain their own data-
processing operations, many smaller regional and
community banks are finding that the cost associated
with upgrading data-processing equipment and with the
development and maintenance of new products and
technical staff are prohibitive.
A. cost associated with
B. costs associated with
C. costs arising from
D. cost of
E. costs of

13. When housing prices climb too quickly, the Federal Reserve
often responds by raising the key interest rate, which has the
curious effect of actually lowering housing prices instead of
raise them, as one might expect.
A. which has the curious effect of actually lowering housing
prices instead of raise them
B. an action that has the curious effect of actually lowering
housing prices rather than raising them
C. which has the curious effect of actually lowering housing
prices instead of raising them
D. which rather than raising housing prices actually has the
curious effect of lowering them
E. an action that has the curious effect of actually lowering
housing prices instead of raise them

14. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, the
tomato is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including
belladonna, and was once thought to be poisonous itself as a result.
A. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, the
tomato is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including
belladonna, and was once thought to be poisonous itself as a result.
B. The tomato, though now eaten in large quantities around the world and
harmless, is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, which includes
belladonna, and it was therefore once thought to be poisonous itself.
C. Once thought to be poisonous itself, the tomato is harmless and now eaten in
large quantities around the world, and is a member of the generally toxic
nightshade family, including belladonna.
D. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and known to be
harmless, the tomato was once considered poisonous because it is a member
of the generally toxic nightshade family, which includes belladonna.
E. A member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including belladonna, the
tomato was once considered poisonous even though it is harmless and now
eaten in large quantities around the world.

15. The coloration of insects can serve as camouflage, as in the case
of green insects that spend their lives in or near foliage, or to warn
predators, as in the case of insects colored in yellow and black,
which often signals that it is poisonous.
A. or to warn predators, as in the case of insects colored in yellow and
black, which often signals that it is poisonous.
B. or for warning predators, as in the case of insects that have yellow
and black coloring, which often signals that it is poisonous.
C. or as a warning to predators, as in the case of insects bearing a
combination of yellow and black, which often signals that they are
poisonous.
D. or as a predator's warning, as in the case of insects that are
colored yellow and black, which often signals that they are
poisonous.
E. or to warn predators, as in the case of yellow-and-black insects,
which often signals that they are poisonous.

16. To tackle the issue of Congressional campaign spending is
becoming embroiled in a war which is raging between those
who support public financing with those who would lift the limits
on the amount political parties and individuals may donate.
A. becoming embroiled in a war which is raging between those
who support public financing with
B. becoming embroiled in a war raging among those who support
public financing with
C. to become embroiled in a war raging between those who
support public financing and
D. to become embroiled in a war which is raging among those
who support public financing and
E. becoming embroiled in a war raging between those who
support public financing and

17. A result of the recent election is realizing that in this
increasingly urban area, there is now more worry about
crime than health care.
A. realizing that in this increasingly urban area, there is now
more worry about crime
B. the realization that in this increasingly urban area, they
now worry more about crime
C. the realization that in this increasingly urban area, voters
now worry more about crime
D. a realizing that in this increasingly urban area, there is
now more concern about crime
E. the realization that in this increasingly urban area,
concerns about crime are greater

18. Antigenic shift refers to the combination of two different strains
of influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural
mutation of a single strain of influenza.
A. influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural
mutation of a single strain of influenza
B. influenza, different than the natural mutation of a single strain,
known as antigenic drift
C. influenza, in contrast to the natural mutation of a single strain,
known as antigenic drift
D. influenza, different than antigenic drift, which refers to the
natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
E. influenza; in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the
natural mutation of a single strain of influenza

19. The Federal Reserve announcement said that growth had accelerated after slowing
in the second quarter and that the policy makers remain concerned about the
prospects of inflation, even though there are few signs of higher energy prices
driving up the cost of other goods so far.
A. that growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and that the policy
makers remain concerned about the prospects of inflation, even though there are
few
B. growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and that the policy
few
C. that growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and the policy
little
D. growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and the policy makers
remain concerned about the prospects of inflation, even though there are little
E. that growth accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and that the policy
few

20.Unbiased third-party "clean" teams can protect sensitive data while
assessing the business rationale of a deal, helping to develop an
integrated business plan, and supporting negotiations.
A. while assessing the business rationale of a deal, helping to develop
an integrated business plan, and supporting
B. while also assessing the business concerns for a deal, as well as
helping the development of an integrated business plan, and to
support the
C. and assess the rationale of a deal from a business perspective, help
the development of an integrated business plan, and supporting
relevant
D. while facilitating the assessment of a business rationale of a deal,
help to develop a business plan of integration, and supporting the
E. and assist the assessment of the deal’s business rationale, helping to
develop an integrated plan for the business, and support

21. After moving to Switzerland in the 1890’s, Albert Einstein attended
the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth
training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his
future work in mathematical physics.
A. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-
depth training in quantitative analysis and developing
B. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-
depth training in quantitative analysis and developed
C. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-
depth training in quantitative analysis, and he developed
D. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-
depth training in quantitative analysis, developing
E. attending the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving
in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and developing

22. Researchers have discovered a new species of sparrow that lives only in cypress
groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows
on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from all other sparrows.
A. that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain
type of vine that grows on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different
from
B. that lives only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a
certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and has coloring completely
different from that of
C. living only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain
type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different
from
D. that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain
type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different
from that of
E. living only in cypress groves, depending almost wholly on the berries of a certain
type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and having coloring completely different
than

23. Foods high in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to
serotonin, can help people to fall asleep by reducing anxiety,
relaxing the brain, and in regulating the sleep cycle.
A. reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and in regulating
B. means of reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and in the
regulation of
C. reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulation of
D. reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulating
E. means of reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulating

24. Undergoing a gastric bypass is to commit to a new lifestyle not only because they
will no longer be permitted to eat large portions of food at one sitting, nor will they
be allowed to consume foods high in sugar or fat.
A. Undergoing a gastric bypass is to commit to a new lifestyle not only because they
will no longer be permitted to eat large portions of food at one sitting, nor will they
B. Undergoing a gastric bypass is committing to a new lifestyle not only because they
will no longer be permitted to eat large portions of food at one sitting, but also they
will not
C. Undergoing a gastric bypass is to commit to a new lifestyle because the patient not
only will no longer be permitted to eat large portions of food at one sitting but also
they will not
D. To undergo a gastric bypass is to commit to a new lifestyle not only because the
patient will no longer be permitted to eat large portions of food at one sitting, nor
will they
E. To undergo a gastric bypass is to commit to a new lifestyle because the patient not
only will no longer be permitted to eat large portions of food at one sitting but also
will not

25. The consultant explained that companies that establish successfully operations
abroad protect with consistency their intellectual property, lobby government
officials without tiring, and empower local managers with aggression.
A. that establish successfully operations abroad protect with consistency their
intellectual property, lobby government officials without tiring, and empower local
managers with aggression
B. which establish operations abroad successfully protect intellectual property
consistently, lobby government officials without tiring, and empower local managers
aggressively
C. that establish successful operations abroad consistently protect their intellectual
property, lobby tirelessly government officials, and empower aggressive local
management
D. that successfully establish operations abroad consistently protect their intellectual
property, tirelessly lobby government officials, and aggressively empower local
managers
E. of which operations abroad are successfully established protect their intellectual
property consistently, lobby tirelessly government officials, and aggressively
empower local management

26. Human activity on the continent of Antarctica is regulated by the
Antarctic Treaty, which was signed in 1959 by 12 countries and
prohibits any military activity, supports scientific research, and is
giving protection to the continent's ecozone.
A. which was signed in 1959 by 12 countries and prohibits any military
activity, supports scientific research, and is giving protection to the
continent's ecozone
B. which was signed in 1959 by 12 countries and prohibits any military
activity, supports scientific research, and protects the continent's
ecozone
C. which, had being signed in 1959 by 12 countries, prohibits any
military activity, supports scientific research, and protects the
continent's ecozone
D. which was signed in 1959 by 12 countries prohibiting any military
action, and supporting scientific research and the continent’s
resource protection
E. having been signed in 1959 by 12 countries and prohibits any
military activity, supports scientific research, and protects the
continent's ecozone

GMAT SC Concepts Part 1 - Introduction + Parallelism (Sandeep Gupta)

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• The Beginning of the Underlined Portion

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© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

Preferences: GMAT favorites (long list – has to be memorized)

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© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

• The meaning of the sentence should make sense. For

Please note: Meaning clarity is definitely tested in every

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© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

Cases to avoid: Such like, Occurring, Seeming, On account of,

Words followed by “to‟/ “to be‟/ “that‟: Seem, Known,

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SENTENCE: Although I enjoy snowboarding, I'd rather go scuba diving.

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SENTENCE: I feel queasy whenever I watch my father eat peanut

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• The animal control officers are looking for dogs.

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The Food and Drug Administration has identified Yummy

The Food and Drug Administration has identified Yummy

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© Sandeep Gupta, Top-One-Percent GMAT sandeepgupta01@gmail.com +919739561394

Gerunds are -ing forms that are used as nouns. A

Exercising is an important part of any diet plan.

Susan's hobbies include skiing and juggling.

Jack's coughing disrupted the class.

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Robert took Robert's laptop on the plane so Robert could

Robert took his laptop on the plane so he could work on his

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Subjective pronouns are used as subjects. The subjective pronoun is

• I want to go to Africa next year.

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• Martin gave his sweater to her.

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Steven Spielberg himself approved the script.

The players themselves were the most disappointed by the loss.

He hurt himself playing soccer.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

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EXAMPLES (relative clauses in italics, relative pronoun italicized and

Daniel wants to buy a car that seats at least five people.

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Verbs express an action or condition. Action verbs describe

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EXAMPLES (helping verbs in italics):

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All forms of to be (e.g., am, is, are, was, were)

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Adjectives describe people, places, and things. They modify nouns

Phrases can also serve as adjectives. Examples of phrases acting as

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• HOW something was done (e.g., carefully, quickly, sloppily),

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