infinitive vs VERB-ing

[vishalc581]

The Texas Metro Board has suggested the use of new safety mechanisms on newbus cargo window latches assuring the windows are properly closed before riding and to prevent them from popping open during the travel.

(A) assuring the windows are properly closed
(B) for the assurance of proper closing
(C) assuring proper closure
(D) to assure closing the windows properly
(E) to assure that the windows are properly closed

Tough one!...At least for me. Please keep on correcting me at every point which is wrong.


so we have 3 splits here:

1) for the assurance

2) assuring

3) to assure


I avoided 1) as GMAT doesn't PREFER noun forms (assurance).

Same goes for option C...CLOSURE is noun form.


Next I don't know how to choose between ASSURING and TO ASSURE. so what about option A?

I think in GMAT we should avoid VERB-ing form when there isn't any comma with VERB-ing. Is it right?

Now I am left with D and E.


In D option I don't see any verb in the underlined part. We have infinitive "to assure" and VER-ing, both of which can't act as main verb. So I picked E.

Question: Do we need main verb in the underlined part? I see there is already a verb in non-underlined part "has recommended".

Note: I have tried to modify the problem as it was from official source. I couldn't modify it more. This time,I tried my best to follow the forum rules. Still if you feel there is issue, please remove the question and explain my queries.


Warm Regards,
Vishal

[RonPurewal]

there is no reason to think about any of these things, since A, B, and C are non-parallel.

the mechanisms do two things:
1/ they assure xxxx,
2/ they prevent yyyy.

thus 'assure' and 'prevent' must have parallel forms.

since 'to prevent' can't be changed, we need 'to assure'. goodbye A, B, C.
any further differences at the beginning of the choices are there solely to distract you. (looks like they got you this time.)

[aflaamM589]

Hi Ron,

Suppose we have only this part

The Texas Metro Board has suggested the use of new safety mechanisms on newbus cargo window latches assuring the windows are properly closed before riding

In this case the usage of assuring is wrong because it refers inappropriately to latches( Verbing without comma refers to the immediate preceding noun)

Had the sentence been
The Texas Metro Board has suggested the use of new safety mechanisms on newbus cargo window latches, assuring the windows are properly closed before riding

Here the usage of assuring is correct because it refers back to TMB and is adverbial in nature


Is my understanding of Verbing correct here?

Thanks

[RonPurewal]

Hi Ron,

Suppose we have only this part

The Texas Metro Board has suggested the use of new safety mechanisms on newbus cargo window latches assuring the windows are properly closed before riding

In this case the usage of assuring is wrong because it refers inappropriately to latches( Verbing without comma refers to the immediate preceding noun)

that's an accurate judgment.

[RonPurewal]

Had the sentence been
The Texas Metro Board has suggested the use of new safety mechanisms on newbus cargo window latches, assuring the windows are properly closed before riding

Here the usage of assuring is correct because it refers back to TMB and is adverbial in nature

the red words are correct—and that's exactly the reason why this sentence DOESN'T make sense.

the board itself does not 'assure' that windows remain closed. (what actually assures that windows remain closed? the safety mechanisms do.)

[RonPurewal]

most importantly, read (and re-read) this warning about trying to 'edit' sentences from GMAT sources:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... ml#p116875

in this case, it appears that the situation is even more fraught: you're trying to re-write someone else's knock-off of an official problem.

this is definitely not a good idea.
...and, since we've strayed so far into 'don't do it' territory, let's lock this thread and be done with it. (: