PREP2 SC：The bones of Majungatholus atopus

[RonPurewal]

the comma __ing modifier is used incorrectly. (comma __ing modifiers don't just describe nouns.)

__

more generally -- if you have to read a sentence more than once just to understand it, that's a pretty good indicator that it's wrong! remember, the correct answers are not just correct, but well-written.

[RAHULS852]

A very basic question ..how will I identify that a word is used as a 'participle' or past
tense verb.....Do I just have to consider the function it performs..or are there any other rules???
Thx in advance...

let's say you have "X VERBed", and you're wondering whether "VERBed" is a participle or a past-tense verb.

* if you can answer "did X VERB?" with a yes, then it's a past tense verb.

* if you can answer "did someone/something VERB X?" with a yes, then it's a past tense verb.

examples:

the speaker dedicated her speech to her late father
"did the speaker dedicate something?" --> yes
"did someone dedicate the speaker?" --> no
hence, past tense verb

the speech dedicated to Mr. Smith was very long
"did the speech dedicate something?" --> no
"did someone dedicate the speech?" --> yes
hence, participle

hope that helps

Ron

In addition to what is explained above.I am more comfortable with the below.Would that also be ok.

I put a linking verb after the comma (Modifier) to check whether it would be a participle or past tense

(C) In Madagascar, the bones of a meat-eating dinosaur,

Majungatholus atopus is distantly related to Tyrannosaurus rex
and
Majungatholus atopus is closely resembled South American

the second one sounds awkward...

thanks

Hi Sage/ Manhattan Expert,

I am still not able to understand difference between participle (related) vs verb (resembled).
Is "resembled" always used as verb in GMAT ?

Regards,
Rahul Singh

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Ron has a good way of checking the difference between a past verb and a participle, but it looks like he made a typo:

let's say you have "X VERBed", and you're wondering whether "VERBed" is a participle or a past-tense verb.

* if you can answer "did X VERB?" with a yes, then it's a past tense verb.

* if you can answer "did someone/something VERB X?" with a yes, then it's a participle.

examples:

the speaker dedicated her speech to her late father
"did the speaker dedicate something?" --> yes
"did someone dedicate the speaker?" --> no
hence, past tense verb

the speech dedicated to Mr. Smith was very long
"did the speech dedicate something?" --> no
"did someone dedicate the speech?" --> yes
hence, participle

I am still not able to understand difference between participle (related) vs verb (resembled).

I suggest you check the meaning of these words in a good dictionary: https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/resemble

Is "resembled" always used as verb in GMAT ?

I can't think of an example in which 'resemble' would be used as a participle. This is because resemble can only be used as an active verb: you can resemble something or someone, but you can't be resembled by them. Check the meaning and some examples and this might be clearer.

[RAHULS852]

If I apply your rule in this problem then sentences would become :
Did Majungatholus atopus, distantly relate to Tyrannosaurus rex - Yes
Did Tyrannosaurus rex distantly relate to Majungatholus atopus- Yes

Both are fine for me. I am not sure where am I making mistake in understanding. Kindly help!

Is "resembled" always used as verb in GMAT ?
I can't think of an example in which 'resemble' would be used as a participle. This is because resemble can only be used as an active verb: you can resemble something or someone, but you can't be resembled by them. Check the meaning and some examples and this might be clearer.

This point is clear, I have checked few sentences in the link provided by you.
Thanks!

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

If I apply your rule in this problem then sentences would become :
Did Majungatholus atopus, distantly relate to Tyrannosaurus rex - Yes
Did Tyrannosaurus rex distantly relate to Majungatholus atopus- Yes
Both are fine for me. I am not sure where am I making mistake in understanding. Kindly help!

Here we see the weakness of Ron's way of checking: a method is only as useful as it is easy to apply. The word 'relate' cannot be used in the way above; both those sentences are incorrect.

The word relate as an active verb means to have a logical or cultural connection with; the word relate as a passive verb means to have a genetic connection. It's a tough difference - take a look here: https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/relate

In conclusion, about relatives, you'd say 'I'm related to Sanjay - he's my cousin.' But about friends you'd say 'I relate to Caspar - we have similar ideas.'

[RAHULS852]

I Got the point about "relate" as a verb but I am still not clear about "related" as a modifier in this sentence.
Can you apply checking rule for this sentence ?

Regards,
Rahul Singh

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

The only rule that I can suggest is the one that Ron wrote above. However, that rule relies on understanding the meaning of the word 'related', a meaning that I outlined above.

[RAHULS852]

Ok I should not further complicate this sentence. I got your point about meaning of resemble and parallelism.

Thanks Sage.

Regards,
Rahul Singh

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

You're welcome.