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sir_imran
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Post subject: If as a modifier?  Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:17 pm |
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If as a noun modifier?
I am looking for some clarification on when "if" acts as a modifier? Does anyone have any material on this. There is nothing in the SC Guide.
I believe it is correct to say that "if" does not act as a modifier in "if-then" constructions. I also know that subordinators modify verbs and that "if" may be a subordinator.
The following sentence caught me off guard. I did not know that "if" can act as a Noun Modifier. Apparently "if" incorrectly modifies "one reason" in the following text:
If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason that certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
Any help or guidance is appreciated.
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mschwrtz
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Post subject: Re: If as a modifier? Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:54 am |
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A sentence with this structure,
"IF adjective1, (THEN) subject linking verb adjective2."
can be glossed as,
"IF subject linking verb adjective1, (THEN) subject linking verb adjective2."
The subject and linking verb in the IF part are understood to be the very same as the subject and linking verb in the THEN part.
For instance the sentence,
"If unearned, rewards can undermine a child's respect for effort." can be glossed as,
"If (rewards are) unearned, rewards can undermine a child's respect for effort."
And the sentence,
"If used repeatedly..., one reason ... is suggested by ...."
can be glossed as,
"If one reason is used repeatedly...,one reason ... is suggested by ...."
But that's gibberish. You need to make "pesticides" the subject, since it is they which are used repeatedly.
Notice, by the way, that I simplified things a bit here by calling all noun modifiers adjectives. Of course "used repeatedly..." is a participial phrase.
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sir_imran
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Post subject: Re: If as a modifier? Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 12:00 pm |
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Thank you very much ! That really clarifies it =)
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tim
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Post subject: Re: If as a modifier? Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:03 pm |
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| ManhattanGMAT Staff |
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Posts: 2242
Location: Southwest Airlines, seat 21C
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Glad to hear it!
_________________
Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor
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sumit_pune
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Post subject: Re: If as a modifier? Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:45 am |
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i have one question here..
in above sentence
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If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason that certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
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is comparison is correct ?
there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
I think , it should be like
there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than those in soils that are free of such chemicals.
can anyone explain ?
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tim
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Post subject: Re: If as a modifier? Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:54 pm |
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| ManhattanGMAT Staff |
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Posts: 2242
Location: Southwest Airlines, seat 21C
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Well, ”in soils” is perfectly parallel to ”in soils”. Remember, you shouldn’t get rid of an answer choice just because you prefer an alternate wording. If the choice doesn’t violate any grammar rules, leave it alone..
_________________
Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor
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