Question

You didn’t need to go to all that trouble, but thank you anyway it was a lovely evening. A. You didn’t need to go B. You needed gone C. You needn’t have gone Answer D. You needing to have go E. You need to go

Short answer

C. You needn’t have gone

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Meaning

Read the original sentence and understand that the speaker is implying that it wasn't necessary for someone to go, but they went anyway.

- Analyze Each Option

Look at each provided option to determine which one conveys the same meaning as the original sentence.

- Evaluate Option A

Option A: 'You didn’t need to go' -> This is a possible correct answer as it implies it wasn’t necessary to go, matching the original sentence’s intent.

- Evaluate Option B

Option B: 'You needed gone' -> This is grammatically incorrect and doesn’t convey the intended meaning.

- Evaluate Option C

Option C: 'You needn’t have gone' -> This is another correct way of saying it wasn’t necessary to go, making it a valid option.

- Evaluate Option D

Option D: 'You needing to have go' -> This is grammatically incorrect and doesn’t match the intended meaning.

- Evaluate Option E

Option E: 'You need to go' -> This suggests that going is necessary, which is the opposite of the intended meaning in the original sentence.

- Choose the Best Option

Both options A and C are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning. However, 'You needn't have gone' is often preferred in British English whereas 'You didn’t need to go' is more common in American English.

Key concepts

grammar analysis

Grammar analysis involves carefully examining sentences to understand their structure and meaning. In this exercise, you need to identify which options convey the same meaning as the original sentence: 'You didn’t need to go to all that trouble, but thank you anyway it was a lovely evening.' By breaking down the sentence:

• 'You didn’t need to go': This phrase establishes that the action wasn't necessary.
• 'but thank you anyway': Used to express gratitude despite the unnecessary action.
• 'it was a lovely evening': Concluding with a positive note.

This kind of analysis helps pinpoint the correct answer by ensuring it aligns with the original intent and structure of the sentence.

answer evaluation

Answer evaluation is the process of reviewing each option to determine its suitability. Here, we look at the options given and evaluate them:

• Option A: 'You didn’t need to go' - Correctly implies the action wasn’t necessary, in line with the original sentence.
• Option B: 'You needed gone' - Grammatically incorrect since 'needed gone' doesn't make sense.
• Option C: 'You needn’t have gone' - Also correct in conveying that the action wasn’t necessary. A valid option.
• Option D: 'You needing to have go' - Incorrect due to grammatical errors.
• Option E: 'You need to go' - Incorrect as it suggests going is necessary, which is opposite to the original meaning.

Evaluating answers in this way ensures we choose the best fit for the original sentence in both context and grammar.

sentence correction

Sentence correction is key to GMAT grammar exercises. This involves identifying and fixing errors to improve sentence clarity and correctness. In our exercise, the sentence 'You didn’t need to go to all that trouble, but thank you anyway it was a lovely evening' needs correction.
Key points to consider:

• Verb Tense: Ensure the verb tense matches the context.
• Grammatical Structure: Check for subject-verb agreement and proper usage.
• Conciseness: Avoid redundant phrases.

The correct sentence could be 'You needn’t have gone to all that trouble, but thank you anyway - it was a lovely evening.' or 'You didn’t need to go to all that trouble, but thank you anyway - it was a lovely evening.' Both versions are correct, but usage depends on the preferred style (British vs. American English).

test preparation

Effective test preparation can significantly enhance performance on the GMAT. Here are some tips:

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice with grammar exercises helps reinforce learning.
• Understand Common Errors: Familiarize yourself with frequent mistakes such as subject-verb agreement and verb tense errors.
• Review Thoroughly: After practicing, review both correct and incorrect answers to understand why each option works or doesn't.
• Simulate Test Conditions: Take practice tests under timed conditions to get used to the exam environment.

Mastering these strategies will help you excel in sentence correction tasks and boost your overall GMAT performance.