Artificial intelligence

[xyin]

Proponents of artificial intelligence say they will be able to make computers that can understand English and other human languages, recognize objects, and reason as an expert does-computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these. (Prep and GMAT Verbal Review 2nd)
(A) as an expert does-computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these

(B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

(C) like an expert-computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan

(D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized

(E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like

Comparing to all the choices, this answer is obviously the choice C. But there is a little confusion about the usage of "use" on C.
I heard some professor said we just need to remember the idiom "use to/be used to" and the others are wrong. But this correct choice is "used for." Can anyone explain the idiom of "use" more thorough and comprehensive? Thanks...very much

[tim]

not really. that's the thing about idioms; they can only be explained by using examples. you've provided an example of "use for", and that is another use of the word "use" you just need to memorize..

[HemantR606]

Hi,

Through POE i didn't face any trouble in finding the answer, but I didnt understand what kind of modifier -computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan is in the option (C).

If it is an appositive, it is not at all close co the word computers it is modifying. This violates the touch rule.

Is this an absolute phrase?

[RonPurewal]

That modifier is describing "computers that can xxxxxxxxx". Since "computers that can xxxxxxxxx" is a single thought, the meaning of the sentence can't be preserved if that thought is broken up. Therefore, the modifier is placed as close as practically possible to the word "computers".

Sometimes, it just isn't possible to place modifiers next to--or even anywhere decently close to--the noun. For one particularly salient example, look at problem #50 in the Diagnostic chapter of OG (11th, 12th, or 13th edition--the diagnostic chapter is the same in all three).

[RahulG728]

[ron: i accidentally hit "edit" instead of "reply" here, so the original post is gone.

the essence of the original post was "I thought 'like' mistakenly created a comparison between 'reason' and 'expert'."]

[RonPurewal]

"like" compares nouns.

if you write that X can think like Y, then the comparison is between "X" and "Y" (both of which/whom can think in a certain way).

[qianruS779]

Hi Instructors,

I would like to ask you if the choice A is wrong because "as an expert does" does not modify "computers" (The appositive phrase set off with dashes must immediately follow the noun it defines). However, if we use like an expert, the following noun-computers immediately is modified by an expert, alright?

Thank you very much.

[RonPurewal]

Hi Instructors,

I would like to ask you if the choice A is wrong because "as an expert does" does not modify "computers" (The appositive phrase set off with dashes must immediately follow the noun it defines).

i don't know the terminology, but the red thing is not true.
that kind of modifier is very flexible.
it CAN describe the noun in front of it... but it can also describe something farther away.
also, it sometimes doesn't describe a noun at all, but instead describes the entire idea of the sentence that comes before it (e.g., #86 in OG 13th/2015 edition).

[RonPurewal]

if we use like an expert, the following noun-computers immediately is modified by an expert, alright?

this is backward.
the stuff after the dash modifies the stuff before the dash.

[qianruS779]

Hi Ron,

Thank you very much for your correction y explanation.

Best

[tim]

[RonPurewal]

Hi Ron,

Thank you very much for your correction y explanation.

Best

you're welcome.

(was the 'y' a spanish reference?)