Founded in 1983, the magazine increased its circulation more than double since then, and its advertising.


(A) increased its circulation more than double since then,
(B) has since increased its circulation more than double,
(C) has since more than doubled its circulation
(D) since then more than doubled its circulation
(E) more than doubled its circulation since then

Founded in 1983, the magazine increased its circulation more than double since then, and its advertising.
(A) increased its circulation more than double since then,
(B) has since increased its circulation more than double,
(C) has since more than doubled its circulation
(D) since then more than doubled its circulation
(E) more than doubled its circulation since then

Increased & doubled redundant => A, B out.
Action happening after another action founded then increased => has increased. D & E out.
Answer - C

It cannot be E; C must be the answer; There are two words that one must note here;

1. since, Whenever a thing is started in the past and is still continuing, we need to use a present perfect tense. The more than doubling phenomenon hasn’t ended. So ‘has since more than doubled’ is the best fit.

2 the use of ‘and’; When we say 'and its advertising', we need something parallel to the noun ‘advertising’ on the other side of the conjunction; Circulation fits the bill; Hence C is the right answer.
_________________

Yes, you can use "since" in that way. In such a context, "since" means "since that time" or "since then".


--Prasad
EnterMBA.in
_________________

When you want to suggest that an action applies over a period of time, you should not use the simple past tense. The doubling occurred over the time period between "since then" and "now", and not at any specific moment in the past, so the perfect tense (specifically, the present perfect tense) is more appropriate. So you need "has doubled".
_________________

Two things:
increased more than double is redundant. S/b just doubled.
The use of ", and advertising" is wrong. Advertising by itself is not an independent clause, so ", and" cannot be used here.
Example: Claire likes ice cream, and she likes pizza. ", and" connects two independent clauses. It would be incorrect to say Claire likes ice cream, and pizza. However, you can say Claire likes ice cream and pizza.

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.