The client base of x has to be compared with the client bases of y, z etc; only B, D and E remain. Among them, D is a fragment and unparallel. In addition the verb should be ‘have’ rather than ‘has’.

Between B and E , E survives because of using the plural client ‘bases’ to denote the plural bases than the singular ‘base’ standing for the bases for several companies.
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took me just over a minute. at first look, stands out as the answer. But had to eliminate the rest. was easy to eliminate A and C and had to verify the 2nd half of the sentence to ensure which one was right.

A) Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened
- comparison is incorrect, as we cannot compare client bases to the company name.
B) the client base of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction that has lessened
- since multiple companies are involved, it should be client bases.
C) has Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened
- same explanation as A, so rule out.
D) has that of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction lessening
- 'has that of' - had to read this twice. but does not make sense, probably 'that of' made more sense.
E) the client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened
- best choice as we are comparing client base of 1 company to client bases of many.
[/quote]

Over the last seven consecutive quarters the client base of Hauptkins Services has shrunk at a slower pace than Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened to the extent that some analysts have returned to an optimistic bias for Hauptkins.

A) Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened->comparison error

B) the client base of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction that has lessened->comparison error

C) has Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened->comparison error

D) has that of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction lessening-> not parallel

E) the client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened -> perfect

Labels :
Red ->comparison
Green ->with + noun+participle

The use of with+noun+participle threw me off a bit, but following link was very helpful (read it just a few days back!!):
http://magoosh.com/gmat/2015/with-noun- ... orrection/

Rgds,
Dhruva

Over the last seven consecutive quarters the client base of Hauptkins Services has shrunk at a slower pace than Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened to the extent that some analysts have returned to an optimistic bias for Hauptkins.

A) Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened - wrong comparison between client base and company names, wrong conjunction "with"

B) the client base of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction that has lessened - wrong conjunction "with"

C) has Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened - wrong comparison between client base and company names.

D) has that of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction lessening - not parallel

E) the client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened - looks good

Again scanning made it simple

Over the last seven consecutive quarters the client base of Hauptkins Services has shrunk at a slower pace than Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened to the extent that some analysts have returned to an optimistic bias for Hauptkins.

A) Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened

B) the client base of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction that has lessened

C) has Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened

D) has that of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction lessening

E) the client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened

client base of ___ has ___than (to create a meaningful comparison we need client base and since there are three companies whose client bases are in question), only one choice has correct beginning, reading it complete no errors so bingo !!

Hi @VeritasPrepKarishma egmat

I need help in option A.
I think ellipsis is playing role here. Comparison is correct but we have 2 IC. So need conjunction. That's why eliminated A.

Over the last seven consecutive quarters the client base of Hauptkins Services has shrunk at a slower pace than (the client base of) Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, with the rate of contraction lessened to the extent that some analysts have returned to an optimistic bias for Hauptkins

D) has that of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, or Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction lessening

E) the client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services, and the rate of contraction has lessened

Experts,

will you pls enlighten me out here.

As per my understanding, option E do have ambiguous comparison in absence of verb in 2nd entitity in comparison list. It can lead to below 2 meaning.

1. reduction of " client base of Hauptkins Services" has been compared to "client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services"
2. reduction of " client base of Hauptkins Services" has been compared with reduction of "client bases of Inigo Services, Jauplaunkt Services, and Larkens Client Services"

As original sentence meant for the later meaning. SO 2nd half of clause should have a verb accompanied with it, as in option D.

In optioned D , where comparison issue has been corrected, I agree on clause followed by "and" is not parallel to other elements in list. So D is also not correct.

But in either case D looks to be better option than E in terms of correct comparison.

Pls suggest.

daagh
Dont u think that this part of option B "with the rate of contraction that has lessened" is somewhat not preferable in gmat. In E its clear! Can you explain this further?
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Sananoor
When you are attempting A GMAT SC question, the first instinct should be to use the most visible hot spot and attack it. When you have such a substantial error in B in the form the singular 'base' than the plural ' bases,' then there is no need to delve into other things., I believe.

However, I agree with you that the prepositional modifier you have cited is less preferred because it is contextual and often implies some concrete or physical accompaniment.
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ThankYou Daagh, Your explanations always help us!
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[/quote]

I am actually inclined to think that the reasoning "client bases of many" is precisely why we should not be picking E. It is certainly possible that they have overlapping client bases, but I think the way the sentence is written, it is actually meant to convey that the client base of Hauptkins has shrunk at a slower pace than that of each of those other companies. Even if we got past that, what troubles me about E is the use of the conjunction 'and' in "and the rate of contraction has lessened...". It would seem much more ideal to me to have a closer connection b/w the two clauses so the conjunction "and" isn't exactly the best option here.