After several years of rapid growth, the health care company became on

Well, following structure is generally not preferred on GMAT:

Possessive + VERBing + Direct object

An official example of an incorrect option along similar lines:

In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism’s trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.

Official explanation: The -ing form of a verb can be used as a noun (e.g. running is her favorite sport), but it is often awkward, particularly when used with a possessive, as in this case.


We need to be clear here. Two Independent clauses (ICs) can definitely be connected by but (FANBOYS); however, the reverse is not true: FANBOYS do not necessarily need to connect two ICs.

For example, following is correct:

Peter is intelligent but lazy.

Notice that but is connecting two adjectives: intelligent and lazy.

To be accurate and efficient on GMAT SC, it's best to focus on a short list of rules that you KNOW will be useful, instead of trying to memorize a longer and longer list of things may may or may not even be "rules" in the first place. (For a list of the things that we find most important, check out this video.)

Is "its + VERBing" always wrong? I honestly couldn't tell you -- it's possible that there are examples of this construction in a correct answer choice, though I can't think of any off the top of my head. So I wouldn't recommend memorizing this as a "rule." At most, you can think of it as a weird construction that might become useful to investigate as a last-ditch effort to get rid of an answer choice, but only if you can't find any better ways to distinguish among the answer choices.

When you approach an SC question, first eliminate the options that you can based on definite grammar errors or big issues with meaning -- for example, "payment" in (A). Then, make a note of the differences in the options that are left. The only differences between (C) and (E) are the "it" and the "its." As EducationAisle said, "but" doesn't need to connect two independent clauses. So, the parallel structure in (E) is totally fine, and the first "it" can't be used to eliminate (E).

That leaves the "its." What is it doing there, and does it do anything useful in the sentence?

I can't think of a reason to include the "its." So, go with the clearer option, which is (E).

I hope that helps!

VeritasKarishma I have a doubt over the usage of , but here. Shouldn't it be followed by a IC.

Hope u reply and remove this basic doubt.

Gagan

When there are two ICs we always need comma + FANBOYS. However the reverse is not true. In other words we can have Comma + But or rather comma + FANBOYS without the presence of two ICs.

Thus, in (C) we see that we do have comma + but, however, that doesn't not mean that we HAVE TO have an IC after it.

Flag this question as it highlights a new learning for you

Hope this helps

Posted from my mobile device

IMO but clause better conveys the intended meaning so >> C , D , E .
eliminated C : "it" is unnecessary
Between D and E >> E follows correct verb form/tense and is a full clause .

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