I tried this one and I got it wrong. The choices are not worded GMAT-like. And then I did research on why it's A.

The correct idiom is "ATTEMPT TO" so you can eliminate B, C and D

E is using the VERB HAS BEGUN... and in this context I don't think its right... to use a form HAS + VERB means an action began in the past that is continuing in the present... When you stated the point in time when an action happened "almost a decade ago" you should just used past tense...

Also, the question is not that good..

Overall, this is not a well-constructed question so I wouldn't recommend studying it. It isn't wrong to say the attempt is still continuing - because people are still attempting to ratify it. It is still continuing. The modifier issue is not really handled in a GMAT-like way in any of the five choices (which is why I say - don't study this one).

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Stacey Koprince
Instructor
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ManhattanGMAT

ok so attempt to is the idiom.
noted down.
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A is the best but has a minor glitch, IMO.

An attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago, has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women.

(A) to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
An attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women. --- GOOD
But, "begun" after comma wrongly modifies Amendment.-- this is what I don't like.

An attempt, begun almost two decades ago, to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women. -- This is better.


(B) begun almost two decades ago, for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment
Here "begun" becomes the main verb and its connection with "has been unsuccessful" makes the entire sentence a run-on.

(C) begun for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment almost two decades ago
Again- run on. Main sentence with two verbs without any "AND". "begun" AND "has been unsuccessful".

(D) at ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, begun almost two decades ago,
Again; begun wrongly modifies Amendment. If not, it is at least unclear what has begun. Also; "attempt at ratifying" is non-idiomatic as others pointed out.

(E) that has begun almost two decades ago to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
This one also looks good but has a minor glitch.

Independent clause starts; sub-ordinate clause is fit into the middle; Independent clause ends.

An attempt "[highlight]that has begun almost two decades ago to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment[/highlight]" has been unsuccessful despite efforts by many important groups, including the National Organization for Women.

The highlighted portion is dependent clause and it makes perfect sense now as "that" correctly modifies "attempt".

BUT BUT BUT
"Has begun" is present perfect indicating that the event in still continuing. However, the beginning happened two-decades back in one short moment. "Began" would be a better usage.
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~fluke

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