{"id":3544,"date":"2022-03-15T07:05:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-15T01:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/?p=3544"},"modified":"2022-12-01T14:21:16","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T08:51:16","slug":"spare-a-thought-for-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/","title":{"rendered":"Usage of \u201cbeing\u201d in the GMAT"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">A <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read <\/span><\/span>\n<p>So it\u2019s time to bust another (I would not call it a myth but rather) very common perception. For some reason, it is a common notion among GMAT takers that the use of \u201cbeing\u201d is considered incorrect in GMAT SC. &nbsp;Below is my brief take on \u201cbeing\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeing\u201d is very much a part of the English language. &nbsp;Like any other entity, if used correctly, it will make a sentence grammatically correct and vice-versa. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/due-to-vs-because-of\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">\u201cdue to,\u201d if used correctly in a sentence, will make the sentence correct<\/a>. If we use \u201cdue to\u201d to present the reason for any action, then it is certainly incorrect. Similarly, if we use <a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/like-vs-as-gmat-verbal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">\u201clike\u201d to present examples, then it will certainly make a sentence incorrect<\/a>, but if it is used to present a comparison, then its usage is correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Being-e1389817032214.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3545\" title=\"Being-e1389817032214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Being-e1389817032214.png 600w, https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Being-e1389817032214-300x259.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So declaring \u201cbeing\u201d the \u201ccontaminated\u201d entity that makes the answer choices incorrect is going too far. &nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, when we examine a sentence for its correctness, we should see if \u201cbeing\u201d is used correctly in the sentence, just the way we verify the correct usage of other entities in the answer choices. We embrace \u201cbeing\u201d when it is used correctly and discard it if it is used incorrectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"0-what%E2%80%99s-covered-in-this-article\">What\u2019s covered in this article?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I start this article by explaining that the mere presence of being does not make an answer choice incorrect. I then explain two correct usages of being (common ones) with examples. Following this, I list 6 SC sentences in which the correct answer choice contains \u201cbeing\u201d. This is followed by my take on how you should approach SC.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-968a449a-1a2e-4b27-9861-7179ffcc5f96\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\"\n                    data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\">\n                    <div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\">For your easy navigation:<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column \"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#1-%E2%80%9Cbeing%E2%80%9D-does-not-make-an-answer-choice-incorrect\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cBeing\u201d does not make an answer choice incorrect<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#2-official-evidences\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Official Evidences<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#3-example-1-og1391\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Example 1: OG13#91<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#6-correct-usages-of-%E2%80%9Cbeing%E2%80%9D\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Correct usages of \u201cBEING\u201d<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#7-correct-usage-1-\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Correct Usage 1<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#8-correct-usage-2-\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Correct Usage 2<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#9-example-2-og13135-%E2%80%93-a-different-perspective\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Example 2: OG13#135 \u2013 A Different Perspective<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#12-more-official-examples-of-correct-usage-if-being\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">More Official examples of correct usage if &#8220;being&#8221;:<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#19-%E2%80%9Calmost-incorrect%E2%80%9D-is-not-for-gmat\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cAlmost Incorrect\u201d is not for GMAT<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#20-timing-vs-accuracy\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Timing Vs. Accuracy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/spare-a-thought-for-being\/#21-takeaway\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Takeaway<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"1-%E2%80%9Cbeing%E2%80%9D-does-not-make-an-answer-choice-incorrect\">\u201cBeing\u201d does not make an answer choice incorrect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no refuting the fact that out of the 140 SC practice problems in OG13, there is only 1 sentence that uses \u201cbeing\u201d in the correct answer choices. This is also true that out of several hundred questions from GMAT Prep, very few SC problems use \u201cbeing\u201d in the correct answer choice. However, this is not true that only 2 problems use \u201cbeing\u201d in the correct answer choices. Also, simply rejecting \u201cbeing\u201d based on OG stats can be injurious to your GMAT score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also true that there are many official sentences that use \u201cbeing\u201d in incorrect answer choices. Following are a few examples from OG13#3, 4, 30, 31, 37, 48, 49, 52, 63, 67, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the answer choices of these SC problems are not incorrect ONLY because of the presence of \u201cbeing\u201d. \u201cBeing\u201d does not always make an answer choice incorrect. There are other very evident errors in the incorrect answer choices of these problems. In fact, in some of the incorrect answer choices the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d is correct but the answer choice is incorrect for some other errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me talk about two such problems where the incorrect answer choices are incorrect not because of \u201cbeing\u201d but for some other culprits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"2-official-evidences\">Official Evidences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-example-1-og1391\">Example 1: OG13#91<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>In an effort to reduce their inventories, Italian vintners have cut prices; their wines have been priced to sell, and they are.<\/p><p><\/p><p>1. have been priced to sell, and they are<\/p><p>2. are priced to sell, and they have<\/p><p>3. are priced to sell, and they do<\/p><p>4. are being priced to sell, and have<\/p><p>5. had been priced to sell, and they have<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s deal with this problem in the e-GMAT style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"4-meaning-analysis-\"><strong>MEANING ANALYSIS:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Italian vintners wanted to reduce their inventories. In order to do so, they have cut prices. They have reduced the selling price of their wines so that they can sell more. And indeed, the sales have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"5-poe-\"><strong>PoE:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>We are not doing the Error Analysis here because the errors in the original choice do not encompass the topic of discussion of this write-up. Since we are concerned about the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d, let\u2019s analyze the function of \u201cbeing\u201d in answer choice D. This is the only choice that has \u201cbeing\u201d in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I begin the analysis, I must let you know about the correct usages of \u201cbeing\u201d so that we can ascertain whether the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d in this answer choice is correct or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"6-correct-usages-of-%E2%80%9Cbeing%E2%80%9D\">Correct usages of \u201cBEING\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Following is the excerpt from a post on \u201cBeat the GMAT\u201d by Payal Tandon, the co-founder of e-GMAT, on the correct usage of \u201cbeing\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"7-correct-usage-1-\"><strong>Correct Usage 1<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When Being is used as a noun.<\/strong>&nbsp;For example:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Being disrespectful to elders is not acceptable behavior.<br><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice the subject here &#8211; being disrespectful to her elders<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"8-correct-usage-2-\"><strong>Correct Usage 2<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When passive continuous verb tense is required to communicate the meaning.&nbsp;<\/strong>For example:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>The residents of this 100-year-old apartment complex are being evacuated because of the structural instability of the building.<br><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice the verb tense here<strong><em> &#8211; are being evacuated &#8211; <\/em><\/strong>present continuous written in passive voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we are aware of the scenarios when the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d stands correct, let\u2019s get back to the official question. Oh, by the way, Payal wrote this post on Jan 27, 2013. She did discuss the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d in official questions and its application. Many SC experts have already discussed everything about \u201cbeing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyway, let\u2019s get back to our example 1 now. Choice <strong>D<\/strong> of OG13#91 reads: are being priced to sell, and have<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that in this answer choice, there is absolutely no problem with the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d. Here \u201cbeing\u201d has been used as part of the present continuous verb in passive voice \u2013 our <strong>Correct Usage 2. <\/strong>So \u201cbeing\u201d is not the nasty one in this choice. It is the helping verb \u201chave\u201d. We need to say that the prices have been cut to sell and they sell\/do. It is ungrammatical to use \u201csell\u201d after \u201chave\u201d as we can only use \u201csold\u201d after \u201chave\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cbeing\u201d gets a clean chit here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Idioms are one the most widely tested concepts on the GMAT SC. We cover all the concepts required to ace the GMAT SC, starting from the foundations of GMAT grammar in the e-GMAT SC course. We also have 400+ GMAT level practice questions with detailed solutions. Begin your GMAT preparation with our <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.e-gmat.com\/sign-up-free-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">free trial<\/a> today!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ub-buttons align-button-center\"  id=\"ub-button-4e10c78f-6ef6-4741-9cb0-4a93fc0d44eb\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.e-gmat.com\/sign-up-free-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium\" role=\"button\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">\n    <div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"height=\"30\", width=\"30\"viewBox=\"0, 0, 512, 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Start your free trial<\/span>\n    <\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.e-gmat.com\/take-sigma-x-mock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium\" role=\"button\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">\n    <div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"height=\"30\", width=\"30\"viewBox=\"0, 0, 448, 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M246.6 233.4l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-32.75-12.5-45.25 0s-12.5 32.75 0 45.25L178.8 256l-137.4 137.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.75 0 45.25C47.63 444.9 55.81 448 64 448s16.38-3.125 22.62-9.375l160-160C259.1 266.1 259.1 245.9 246.6 233.4zM438.6 233.4l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-32.75-12.5-45.25 0s-12.5 32.75 0 45.25L370.8 256l-137.4 137.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.75 0 45.25C239.6 444.9 247.8 448 256 448s16.38-3.125 22.62-9.375l160-160C451.1 266.1 451.1 245.9 438.6 233.4z\"><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Take a free mock<\/span>\n    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 id=\"9-example-2-og13135-%E2%80%93-a-different-perspective\">Example 2: OG13#135 \u2013 A Different Perspective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Spanning more than fifty years, Friedrich Muller began his career in an unpromising apprenticeship as a Sanskrit scholar and culminated in virtually every honor that European governments and learned societies could bestow.<\/p><p><\/p><p>1. Muller began his career in an unpromising apprenticeship as<\/p><p>2. Muller\u2019s career began in an unpromising apprenticeship as<\/p><p>3. Muller\u2019s career began with the unpromising apprenticeship of being<\/p><p>4. Muller had begun his career with the unpromising apprenticeship of being<\/p><p>5. the career of Muller has begun with an unpromising apprenticeship of<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The drill remains the same \u2013 we will analyze this problem the e-GMAT way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"10-meaning-analysis-\"><strong>MEANING ANALYSIS:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Friedrich Muller\u2019s career spanned more than five decades. Muller started his career in an apprenticeship as a Sanskrit scholar. When he retired, he had gotten every honor that European governments and learned societies could bestow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"11-error-analysis-\"><strong>ERROR ANALYSIS<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Allow me to digress here a little bit and talk about the opening modifier first. In some time, you will why I am doing this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By looking at the opening verb-ing modifier that lies in the non-underlined portion of the sentence, you will in no time discard Choices A and D because \u201cspanning\u201d must modify Muller\u2019s career and not Muller himself. This is a clear modifier error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let\u2019s look at the only other choice containing \u201cbeing\u201d \u2013 Choice C. The issue with this choice is not the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d but the usage of \u201cof being\u2026\u201d which leads to idiom error. Muller\u2019s career started\u2026 as a Sanskrit scholar. This is the correct expression. &nbsp;The use of \u201cof\u201d makes it incorrect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now if the question maker had used \u201cof becoming\u2026\u201d instead of \u201cof being\u2026\u201d, then also this choice would have been incorrect because the culprit here is \u201cof\u201d. The answer choice uses \u201cbeing\u201d because such expressions are widely used in colloquial speech. Any other word such as \u201cbecoming\u201d here would have made this one an easy choice to eliminate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I do agree that usage of \u201cbeing\u201d is incorrect here as it does not fall under any of the Correct Usage categories mentioned above. The point I\u2019m trying to make here is that \u201cbeing\u201d could not have been used correctly here because the option does not provide for that scope. It is similar to the modification of the opening modifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The moment we read \u201cSpanning more than 50 years\u201d, we know that the subject of the following clause should be Muller\u2019s career and not Muller. The same can be said about the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d here. The structure of the answer choice just cannot make room for the correct usage of \u201cbeing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cbeing\u201d\u2013 The triumphant<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"12-more-official-examples-of-correct-usage-if-being\">More Official examples of correct usage if &#8220;being&#8221;:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me pay my dues to \u201cbeing\u201d by stating a few official examples where \u201cbeing\u201d HAS BEEN USED in the CORRECT ANSWER CHOICE. Here are six such instances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"13-example-1-%E2%80%93-og13100\">EXAMPLE 1 \u2013 OG13#100<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Being<\/strong> heavily committed to a course of action, especially one that has worked well in the past, is likely to make an executive miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.&nbsp; (<strong>Correct Usage 1<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"14-example-2-%E2%80%93-gmat-prep\">EXAMPLE 2 \u2013 GMAT Prep<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply <strong>being<\/strong> genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to become invasive according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature. (<strong>Correct Usage 1<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"15-example-3-%E2%80%93-gmat-prep\">EXAMPLE 3 \u2013 GMAT Prep<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The survival of coral colonies, which are composed of innumerable tiny polyps living in a symbiotic relationship with brilliantly colored algae, is <strong>being<\/strong> threatened, experts say, not only by pollutants such as agricultural runoff, oil sticks, and trash, but also by dropped anchors, probing drivers, and global warming.&nbsp;(<strong>Correct Usage 2<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"16-example-4-%E2%80%93-gmat-prep\">EXAMPLE 4 \u2013 GMAT Prep<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Performing a risky maneuver that required precision flying, space shuttle astronauts retrieved an orbiting satellite and simultaneously avoided <strong>being<\/strong> rear-ended by a passing ultraviolet telescope.&nbsp;(<strong>Correct Usage 1<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"17-example-5-%E2%80%93-gmat-prep\">EXAMPLE 5 \u2013 GMAT Prep<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>According to one expert, the cause of genetic irregularities in many breeds of dog is not so much that dogs are <strong>being<\/strong> bred for looks or to meet other narrow criteria as that the breeds have relatively few founding members.&nbsp;(<strong>Correct Usage 2<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"18-example-6-%E2%80%93-gmat-prep\">EXAMPLE 6 \u2013 GMAT Prep<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 1950s, as part of their therapy, young polio victims learning to live with their disabilities were helped to practice falling so that they could learn to fall without <strong>being<\/strong> hurt.&nbsp;(<strong>Correct Usage 1<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"19-%E2%80%9Calmost-incorrect%E2%80%9D-is-not-for-gmat\">\u201cAlmost Incorrect\u201d is not for GMAT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From my experience with GMAT SC, I am fairly confident that there is no scope for \u201calmost incorrect\u201d in this section. Not many realize it but actually, SC is a very logical test of one\u2019s ability to communicate the message in a correct, concise, and unambiguous manner. Like any mathematical problem, the usage of certain entities is either correct or incorrect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is not difficult to discern that when used correctly in the context, an entity stands correct and when used incorrectly, it leads to errors. The way we analyze the usage of modifiers, SV and pronoun-antecedent number agreement, idioms, etc. in the same way \u201cbeing\u201d also calls for proper analysis before rejecting an answer choice that contains this word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compare the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d with the usage of \u201cwhen compared to\u201d. The moment we see the phrase \u201cwhen compared to\u201d, without wasting any time, we reject the answer choice that carries it. We can certainly make a blanket statement here that this phrase is ALWAYS incorrect on GMAT. There\u2019s no scope of \u201calmost\u201d here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now compare the usage of \u201cbeing\u201d with that of \u201clike\u201d. When we see \u201clike\u201d in a sentence, we try to figure out why it has been used in the sentence. According to GMAT, \u201clike\u201d must always be used to present comparison. But there are many questions that use \u201clike\u201d to present an example in a sentence. This usage is most certainly incorrect. So, we only reject an answer choice with \u201clike\u201d when it presents examples. And we do so only after analyzing thoroughly the function of \u201clike\u201d in that particular sentence. But do we ever classify \u201clike\u201d as a red flag? We don\u2019t. Then why to do that with \u201cbeing\u201d.&nbsp; We must reject an answer choice with \u201cbeing\u201d only when we have analyzed that the word has been used incorrectly in the sentence as we would do with any other entity. Anything that requires a little analysis before being rejected or accepted, CANNOT be classified as \u201cthe black sheep\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"20-timing-vs-accuracy\">Timing Vs. Accuracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one topic many people use to propagate their views. Not surprisingly, this point has been used to declare \u201cbeing\u201d as a red flag on GMAT SC. However, at e-GMAT, we tell something very simple to our students. What\u2019s the point in saving time if you select incorrect answer choices because you probably skipped some analysis to save time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Test takers must first work towards improving their accuracy. The preparation time allows them the luxury of time to practice and be perfect in the approach they apply to solve SC problems. Once that perfection is reached, the time taken to solve each question automatically plummets because the process to solve SC problems becomes intuitive with time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So yes, do make good use of your time now so that you are well prepared to use it intelligently on D-day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Also, read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/due-to-vs-because-of\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">when to use &#8220;due to&#8221; and &#8220;because of.&#8221;<\/a> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"21-takeaway\">Takeaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>NEVER reject an answer choice just because it contains \u201cbeing\u201d.<\/li><li>GMAT SC does use \u201cbeing\u201d in the correct answer choice.<\/li><li>Reject an answer choice only after you have analyzed that \u201cbeing\u201d has been used incorrectly in the sentence.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Idioms are one the most widely tested concepts on the GMAT SC. We cover all the concepts required to ace the GMAT SC, starting from the foundations of GMAT grammar in the e-GMAT SC course. We also have 400+ GMAT level practice questions with detailed solutions. Begin your GMAT preparation with our <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.e-gmat.com\/sign-up-free-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">free trial<\/a> today!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ub-buttons align-button-center\"  id=\"ub-button-a7b612cc-05cd-4386-8b53-b0f958016e48\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.e-gmat.com\/sign-up-free-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium\" role=\"button\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">\n    <div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"height=\"30\", width=\"30\"viewBox=\"0, 0, 512, 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256c0 141.4 114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256C512 114.6 397.4 0 256 0zM406.6 278.6l-103.1 103.1c-12.5 12.5-32.75 12.5-45.25 0s-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L306.8 288H128C110.3 288 96 273.7 96 256s14.31-32 32-32h178.8l-49.38-49.38c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l103.1 103.1C414.6 241.3 416 251.1 416 256C416 260.9 414.6 270.7 406.6 278.6z\"><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Start your free trial<\/span>\n    <\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.e-gmat.com\/take-sigma-x-mock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium\" role=\"button\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">\n    <div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"height=\"30\", width=\"30\"viewBox=\"0, 0, 448, 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M246.6 233.4l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-32.75-12.5-45.25 0s-12.5 32.75 0 45.25L178.8 256l-137.4 137.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.75 0 45.25C47.63 444.9 55.81 448 64 448s16.38-3.125 22.62-9.375l160-160C259.1 266.1 259.1 245.9 246.6 233.4zM438.6 233.4l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-32.75-12.5-45.25 0s-12.5 32.75 0 45.25L370.8 256l-137.4 137.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.75 0 45.25C239.6 444.9 247.8 448 256 448s16.38-3.125 22.62-9.375l160-160C451.1 266.1 451.1 245.9 438.6 233.4z\"><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Take a free mock<\/span>\n    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So it\u2019s time to bust another (I would not call it a myth but rather) very common perception. For some reason, it is a common notion among GMAT takers that the use of \u201cbeing\u201d is considered incorrect in GMAT SC. &nbsp;Below is my brief take on \u201cbeing\u201d \u201cBeing\u201d is very much a part of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102393,"featured_media":42230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","ub_ctt_via":""},"categories":[94,1,95],"tags":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Being-e1389817032214.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Shraddha","author_link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/author\/shraddha\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v17.1.1 (Yoast SEO v17.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Usage of \u201cbeing\u201d in the GMAT | e-GMAT Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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