OG Review 10th SC # 94

[Hei]

The Coast Guard is conducting tests to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find survivors of wrecks at sea.

A. to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find
B. to see whether pigeons can be trained as help to find
C. to see if pigeons can be trained for helping to find
D. that see if pigeons are able to be trained in helping to find
E. that see whether pigeons are able to be trained for help in finding

I thought that the usages of "help" were:
- X helps Y to do...
- X helps [verb in ing form]...

The correct answer is A, which has this form of usage - "help [verb]...". Isn't it wrong?

Thanks in advance.

[RonPurewal]

My gut reaction to "help find" is to classify it as 'informal'. BUT here's the key thing to remember:

The GMAT is the 'native speaker'. What it says goes, whether we like it or not.

Therefore, if the Official Guide says that "help [infinitive minus 'to']" is proper, then, for GMAT purposes, it's proper. End of discussion.

But you've learned something new: you now have a third usage of 'help' to add to your list in this post.