LSAT 120 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Novelist: Any author who thinks a sentence is ungrammatical…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Grammar books are useless as reference sources for authors.

REASONING: An author will not use a grammar book if they are sure that a sentence is right or sure that it is wrong.

ANALYSIS: What if an author isn’t sure? Ignoring the middle ground is a common error. This one is easy if you read all the way to answer choice E without getting distracted.

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1. If you can show me where the stimulus says authors should not consult grammar books, I’ll mail you $5,000. It said they will not.
2. The stimulus does not discuss an author “not mistakenly thinking that a sentence is ungrammatical.” It talks about what happens when an author is sure that a sentence is grammatical.
3. The conclusion was that reference books are useless for authors, not that reference books are useless for everyone.
4. The conclusion is very specific: “useless as reference sources for authors.” They could have other uses. Doorstops?
5. CORRECT. Yes. An author might be unsure whether a sentence is grammatical, and reach for their grammar book.

Recap: The question begins with “Novelist: Any author who thinks a sentence is ungrammatical”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Flaw questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.