honchos
Although limited in their usefulness thus far, the company board’s several entrepreneurs believe that what the two programmers have developed is the start of something very important.
(A) Although limited in their usefulness thus far, the company board’s several entrepreneurs
(B) Based on the limited usefulness thus far, several of the entrepreneurs on the company board
(C) With the limited usefulness thus far, several of the entrepreneurs on the company board
(D) Despite the limited usefulness thus far, the several entrepreneurs on the company board
(E) While limited in usefulness thus far, the several entrepreneurs on the company board
VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:
Solution: D
Explanation: In (A), “limited in their usefulness” suggests that this is modifying the only plural noun that follows – the entrepreneurs. Clearly, the thing that is limited in usefulness is what the programmers have developed so this choice has no logical meaning. (B) is incorrect as people cannot be based on anything (when starting a sentence with a participle like based, it must modify the noun that comes next) and a contrast word is required. In (C) you must have a contrast word – (C) suggests that because it has limited usefulness, the entrepreneurs expect it to be important! (D) is correct as the opening phrase is clearly referencing what the programmers have developed and has the necessary contrast word. (E) is incorrect as the opening phrase lacks the important “the” article to indicate that it is not modifying the several entrepreneurs. Also “limited in usefulness” is an awkward and wordy way to convey “limited usefulness” Answer is (D).