Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
udaymathapati wrote:
Contrary to the scholarly wisdom of the 1950’s and early 1960’s that predicted the processes of modernization and rationalization would gradually undermine it, ethnicity is a worldwide phenomenon of increasing importance.
(A) would gradually undermine it
(B) to be a gradual undermining of it
(C) would be a gradual undermining of ethnicity
(D) to gradually undermine ethnicity
(E) gradually undermining it
Concepts tested here: Verb Forms + Redundancy/Awkwardness • The "would + simple present tense verb" construction is used to refer to hypothetical future actions.
• The simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.
A: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the "would + simple present tense verb ("undermine" in this sentence)" construction to refer to a hypothetical future event. Further, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” - “to + be” in this sentence)” to refer to a hypothetical future action; please remember, the "would + simple present tense verb" construction is used to refer to a hypothetical action in the future. Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase “be a gradual undermining of it”, leading to awkwardness.
C: This answer uses the needlessly wordy phrase “be a gradual undermining of ethnicity”, rendering it awkward and needlessly redundant.
D: This answer choice incorrectly uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” - “to + be” in this sentence)” to refer to a hypothetical future action; please remember, the "would + simple present tense verb" construction is used to refer to a hypothetical action in the future. Further, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase “be a gradual undermining of it”, leading to awkwardness.
E: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present continuous tense verb “undermining” to refer to a hypothetical future action; please remember, the "would + simple present tense verb" construction is used to refer to a hypothetical action in the future, and the simple present continuous tense is only used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Simple Continuous Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team