Question

He was surprised for the fact that the first song was so similar to the second. A. He was surprised for the fact that the first song was so similar to B. He was surprised by the fact that the first song was so similar with C. He was surprised for the fact that the first song was so similar with D. He was surprised by the fact that the first song was so similar to E. He was surprised at the fact that the first song was so similar with

Short answer

The correct answer is D.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Correct Preposition for 'Surprised'

The phrase 'surprised for the fact' is incorrect. The correct preposition to use with 'surprised' in this context is 'by'.

Verify the Preposition Used with 'Similar'

The phrase 'similar with' is incorrect. The correct preposition to use with 'similar' is 'to'.

Analyze Sentence Structure

Ensure that the remaining structure of the sentence is correct once the proper prepositions are used.

Choose the Correct Answer

By process of elimination, verify which option correctly uses the prepositions 'by' and 'to'.

Key concepts

grammar rules

Understanding basic grammar rules is essential for mastering GMAT Sentence Correction. Among the core grammar concepts to focus on:

1. **Subject-Verb Agreement**: Ensure the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number. For example, 'The cat runs' vs. 'The cats run'.

2. **Verb Tenses**: Make sure verb tenses remain consistent throughout a sentence. Shifting tenses mistakenly can confuse the reader.

3. **Pronoun Agreement**: Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and gender. For instance, 'Everyone should bring their notebook' should be 'Everyone should bring his or her notebook'.

4. **Misplaced Modifiers**: Place modifiers next to the word they are supposed to modify. For example, 'She almost drove her kids to school every day' should be 'She drove her kids to school almost every day'.

These rules establish clarity and coherence in writing. In the provided sentence, 'He was surprised by the fact that the first song was so similar to the second', aligning with basic grammar rules ensures precision.

prepositions

Prepositions play a crucial role in the meaning of sentences. They show relationships between different parts of the sentence. In the GMAT exercise, knowing the correct prepositions was key to finding the correct answer.

For this context:

1. **'Surprised by'**: We say 'surprised by' something, e.g., 'He was surprised by the news'. Using 'for' would be incorrect here.

2. **'Similar to'**: Comparisons often use 'to' rather than 'with'. For example, 'This plan is similar to the previous one'.

Commonly confused prepositions include:

- **'Different from'**: 'This is different from that' rather than 'different than'.

- **'Interested in'**: 'She is interested in the project' instead of 'interested on'.

- **'Dependent on'**: 'He is dependent on her' instead of 'dependent of'.

Using the correct prepositions ensures that your sentence conveys the exact meaning intended.

sentence structure analysis

Analyzing the structure of a sentence helps ensure clarity and coherence. Breaking down complex sentences into their components makes them easier to understand.

In the given example, we start by checking core elements:

- **Subject**: 'He' is the subject of the sentence.

- **Predicate/Verb**: 'was surprised' serves as the main verb.

- **Object**: 'the fact that the first song was so similar to the second' functions as the object of the sentence.

Next, we ensure that each component supports the meaning of the sentence without creating ambiguity. Avoid wordiness and unnecessary phrases.

For instance, 'the fact that' can often be simplified for clarity. However, in this specific structure, it is needed for cohesion. Using correct prepositions ('by' and 'to') and ensuring each part of the sentence contributes directly to its meaning, results in a grammatically sound and clear sentence.