Chapter 3: Problem 15
Little did I realize that the stock would become so valuable. A. Little did I B. Mostly did I C. Not did I D. Only did I E. Little do I
Short Answer
Expert verified
Option A: 'Little did I' is correct.
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the correct subject-verb agreement
In this sentence, the subject is 'I' and the verb is 'realize.' We need to find an option that makes sense in past tense and correctly inverts the subject and verb, as it is a common structure in English, especially in formal or literary contexts.
02
- Evaluate Each Option
Analyze each choice to see if it fits grammatically and logically in the context of the sentence.
03
- Eliminate Incorrect Options
Option B, 'Mostly did I,' Option C, 'Not did I,' and Option D, 'Only did I,' are grammatically incorrect and do not fit the formal structure. Option E, 'Little do I,' is present tense and does not fit since the sentence requires past tense.
04
- Confirm the Correct Answer
Only option A, 'Little did I,' correctly uses past tense and inverts the subject and verb to match the formal structure of the sentence, making it the correct answer.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
subject-verb agreement
Subject-verb agreement is fundamental in English grammar. In each sentence, the subject and verb must agree in number and tense. In the exercise, the subject 'I' is singular, so we need a singular verb. It's crucial to note that subject-verb inversion, where the subject follows the verb, is a common structure in formal and literary contexts.
This is often used in questions and conditional sentences. For example:
This is often used in questions and conditional sentences. For example:
- Did you go to the store? (question)
- Had I known, I wouldn't have gone. (conditional sentence)
grammatical structure
Understanding the grammatical structure of a sentence is key to mastering GMAT sentence correction. English often uses subject-verb inversion for emphasis, especially after negative adverbs like 'never,' 'little,' 'seldom,' etc. This creates a formal tone and structure.
In our example, 'Little did I realize,' the word 'Little' emphasizes how unaware the subject 'I' was about the future value of the stock. This inversion is crucial for maintaining the meaningful nuance of the sentence. Additionally, checking the rest of the sentence for coherence ensures it maintains a proper and clear grammatical structure throughout.
In our example, 'Little did I realize,' the word 'Little' emphasizes how unaware the subject 'I' was about the future value of the stock. This inversion is crucial for maintaining the meaningful nuance of the sentence. Additionally, checking the rest of the sentence for coherence ensures it maintains a proper and clear grammatical structure throughout.
formal English usage
Formal English usage often includes specific structures and vocabulary that differ from everyday speech. The use of subject-verb inversion in formal contexts is one hallmark. Consider sentences like:
This proper inverted form is essential for elegance and correctness in formal writing or speaking sections of tests like the GMAT.
- 'Never have I seen such a spectacle.'
- 'Rarely does she make a mistake.'
This proper inverted form is essential for elegance and correctness in formal writing or speaking sections of tests like the GMAT.
past tense in English
Using the correct tense is vital for clear communication. The past tense refers to actions or situations that happened before now. In the sentence 'Little did I realize,' 'did' is the past tense form of 'do,' which pairs correctly with 'realize' to indicate an action that happened in the past.
When working on GMAT sentence corrections, always ensure that the tense matches the context. For instance, 'Little do I realize' would incorrectly imply present tense, while the situation described happened in the past.
Properly using the past tense ensures the timing of events is clear and logical, a necessity in both formal and informal writing.
When working on GMAT sentence corrections, always ensure that the tense matches the context. For instance, 'Little do I realize' would incorrectly imply present tense, while the situation described happened in the past.
Properly using the past tense ensures the timing of events is clear and logical, a necessity in both formal and informal writing.