PT 56, Section 1, Game 2 - Clue question Forum

[Marquito38]

Hey guys, first time poster but I have been lurking around the past few months on this forum. Took the LSAT in June, did poorly compared to my practice tests (nerves really got to me), so I'm retaking in October! Wooo!

Anyway,

The clue, "Grace helps move the sofa if, but only if, Heather helps move the recliner" tripped me up because I took it as 'if Heather helps move the recliner then Grace helps move the sofa'.

Could someone please explain how the wording makes it true that Gs--->Hr, and not Hr--->Gs??

Thank you!

[Atlas LSAT Teacher]

It actually means both.

Joe will cry if, but only if, Sue leaves him.

You can break this into two statements:

Joe will cry if Sue leaves him. (SL --> JC)

&

Joe will cry only if Sue leaves him. (JC --> SL)

[Marquito38]

Ahh I see. I think 'but' was throwing me off. Thank you.

[Atlas LSAT Teacher]

yeah, "but" plays differently in several LSAT contexts from how we usually use it in everyday speech. It often simply means "and".