Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 09:11 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 09:11
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
705-805 Level|   Modifiers|      
avatar
pjaseem
avatar
Joined: 16 Mar 2013
Last visit: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
28
 [10]
Given Kudos: 6
Location: United States
Concentration: International Business, Entrepreneurship
Schools: NTU '15 (S)
GPA: 3.08
WE:Marketing (Manufacturing)
Schools: NTU '15 (S)
Posts: 13
Kudos: 28
 [10]
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter Updated on: 04 Jan 2019, 09:42
Originally posted by pjaseem on 01 Aug 2013, 05:17.
Last edited by Bunuel on 04 Jan 2019, 09:42, edited 2 times in total.
Edited the question, renamed the topic.
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
9
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

85% (hard)

Question Stats:

45% (01:52) correct 55% (01:47) wrong based on 618 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.


A. Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.

B. Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.

C. Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, Best Buy Co. withdrew the earnings guidance for the year.

D. Best Buy Co. has reported a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.

E. Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
D
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Marcab
User avatar
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Last visit: 22 Jan 2021
Posts: 850
Own Kudos:
4,853
 [5]
Given Kudos: 221
Status:Retaking after 7 years
Location: United States (NY)
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: Simon '15 (M$)
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39
GPA: 3.75
Schools: Simon '15 (M$)
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39
Posts: 850
Kudos: 4,853
 [5]
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 01 Aug 2013, 06:56
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
pjaseem
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.

A.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.
B.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.
C.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, Best Buy Co. withdrew the earnings guidance for the year.
D.Best Buy Co. has reported a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
E.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
Show more

Please do mention the source.
Who is reporting? What has brought down the percent income? In retaliation, what has Best Buy done?
These are the questions that should be answered by the correct answer choice.
A has modifier issue, C has merged two parts of the sentences into one without any verb or any conjunction.
B and E use present continuous, which is really not needed.
D is the ideal choice here.
Regards
General Discussion
User avatar
maaadhu
User avatar
Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Last visit: 16 Sep 2014
Posts: 96
Own Kudos:
191
 [4]
Given Kudos: 36
Posts: 96
Kudos: 191
 [4]
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 01 Aug 2013, 12:14
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
pjaseem
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.

A.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.
B.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.
C.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, Best Buy Co. withdrew the earnings guidance for the year.
D.Best Buy Co. has reported a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
E.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
Show more


None of the options seems correct.

As per e-gmat explanation, "ed modifier" always modifies the preceding noun or noun phrase. So in all the options, "dragged down" is modifying second quarter. However, its not the second quarter that is dragged down but the net income is dragged down.

Below are the examples are given by e-gmat. Experts can weigh in if I am wrong.

Verb-ed Modifiers
1: Always modify preceding noun or noun phrase.

Discouraged by the long hours and low pay, my sister finally quit her job. Correct.

My sister, discouraged by the long hours and low pay, finally quit her job. Correct.

My sister finally quit her job, discouraged by the long hours and low pay. Incorrect as per GMAT rules Here the verb-ed modifier is modifying the preceding noun “her job” which does not make sense.
avatar
pjaseem
avatar
Joined: 16 Mar 2013
Last visit: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
28
Given Kudos: 6
Location: United States
Concentration: International Business, Entrepreneurship
Schools: NTU '15 (S)
GPA: 3.08
WE:Marketing (Manufacturing)
Schools: NTU '15 (S)
Posts: 13
Kudos: 28
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 01 Aug 2013, 21:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Marcab
pjaseem
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.

A.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.
B.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.
C.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, Best Buy Co. withdrew the earnings guidance for the year.
D.Best Buy Co. has reported a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
E.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.

Please do mention the source.
Who is reporting? What has brought down the percent income? In retaliation, what has Best Buy done?
These are the questions that should be answered by the correct answer choice.
A has modifier issue, C has merged two parts of the sentences into one without any verb or any conjunction.
B and E use present continuous, which is really not needed.
D is the ideal choice here.
Regards
Show more



The source is 4gmat blog.

I think the answer choice D is incorrect.The modifier "dragged down by restructuring charges" is not close to the noun it modifies .Morover the modifier doesn't seem to be an adverbial clause. Experts correct me if i am wrong.
avatar
pjaseem
avatar
Joined: 16 Mar 2013
Last visit: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
28
Given Kudos: 6
Location: United States
Concentration: International Business, Entrepreneurship
Schools: NTU '15 (S)
GPA: 3.08
WE:Marketing (Manufacturing)
Schools: NTU '15 (S)
Posts: 13
Kudos: 28
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 01 Aug 2013, 21:09
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
maaadhu
pjaseem
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.

A.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.
B.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.
C.Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, Best Buy Co. withdrew the earnings guidance for the year.
D.Best Buy Co. has reported a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
E.Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.


None of the options seems correct.

As per e-gmat explanation, "ed modifier" always modifies the preceding noun or noun phrase. So in all the options, "dragged down" is modifying second quarter. However, its not the second quarter that is dragged down but the net income is dragged down.

Below are the examples are given by e-gmat. Experts can weigh in if I am wrong.

Verb-ed Modifiers
1: Always modify preceding noun or noun phrase.

Discouraged by the long hours and low pay, my sister finally quit her job. Correct.

My sister, discouraged by the long hours and low pay, finally quit her job. Correct.

My sister finally quit her job, discouraged by the long hours and low pay. Incorrect as per GMAT rules Here the verb-ed modifier is modifying the preceding noun “her job” which does not make sense.
Show more


I agree. :) . the answer choice D seems to be wrong
avatar
OptimusPrepJanielle
avatar
Joined: 06 Nov 2014
Last visit: 08 Sep 2017
Posts: 1,779
Own Kudos:
1,483
 [2]
Given Kudos: 23
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,779
Kudos: 1,483
 [2]
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 30 Jun 2016, 11:47
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Things to keep in mind:

1. Reporting has already been done - past tense for reporting
2. Best Buy Co. is doing the reporting. - correct modifier. We need to tell correctly who did the reporting

Option A can be eliminated based on the 2nd point.
Option B uses a present continuous tense for reporting. Hence incorrect
Option C merges two parts of the sentence without using any conjunction
Option E uses a present continuous tense for reporting. Hence incorrect

Correct Option: D
Although there are issues with this option too, but this is the best of the lot.
User avatar
Mahmud6
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Mar 2013
Last visit: 12 Jul 2025
Posts: 387
Own Kudos:
881
 [2]
Given Kudos: 235
Status:The best is yet to come.....
Posts: 387
Kudos: 881
 [2]
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 29 Jul 2017, 09:42
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
OE

https://practice-questions.wizako.com/g ... se-2.shtml

Step 1: Identifying What Is Tested

Look for differences across the answer options to identify what is being tested in the sentence.
Some of the options use “reporting a 90%.... and weak sales” as a modifier in the sentence and some of the options use it as a main part of the sentence.
When this phrase is part of the main part of the sentence, the tense construction varies with some options using the progressive tense “is reporting” and some using the present perfect “has reported”.
Similarly, the verb “withdraw” has also been constructed in different tenses.

Step 2: Understanding the Sentence

The use of the progressive tense “is reporting” would imply that the company is right now doing the action of reporting and that it is still happening. Then progressive tense would therefore, be incorrect.
The tense form for “withdraw” must match the tense for “reporting” (if “reporting…” has not been used as a modifier) because the actions are related and happened at the same time.
If “reporting a 90%.... and weak sales” is used as a modifier, it has to refer to the company because the company is doing the action of reporting.

Step 3: Eliminating Options

Choice (A) is incorrect because the modifier “reporting a 90%.... and weak sales” refers to “the earnings guidance” and not to “Best Buy Co.”.
Choices (B) and (E) can be eliminated for the use of the progressive tense “is reporting”. Also, in both sentences, the verbs “withdrew” and “has withdrawn” imply that the action of withdrawing is completed. However, the verb “is reporting” leads to the impression that the action is yet to happen. This conflict in verb tense causes ambiguity in meaning.
Choice (C) uses the construction “reporting… and dragged down”. The usage of the conjunction “and” implies that there are two reasons for the withdrawal of the earnings guideline. However, this construction does not make sense because the company cannot be dragged down by restructuring charges. Rather, it is the “net income” that is dragged down. The change in the intent of the sentence is the reason to eliminate the option.

Choice D is the correct answer.
avatar
Bhavyam
avatar
Joined: 23 Aug 2016
Last visit: 29 Oct 2021
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 37
Posts: 19
Kudos: 7
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 25 Jun 2019, 06:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You can check out Wizako's explanation on youtube for this qs. The company has explained SC examples (including this one) well.
User avatar
Aviral1995
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 13 Apr 2019
Last visit: 23 May 2022
Posts: 233
Own Kudos:
68
Given Kudos: 309
Location: India
Schools: McDonough'23 (II) Mendoza'23 (A$) Kelley '23 (A$) Schulich Sept '23 (WA)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V36
GPA: 3.85
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: McDonough'23 (II) Mendoza'23 (A$) Kelley '23 (A$) Schulich Sept '23 (WA)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V36
Posts: 233
Kudos: 68
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 16 Dec 2019, 01:17
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VeritasKarishma GMATNinja could you please explain how to eliminate C over D?
User avatar
Ivy17
User avatar
Joined: 21 Dec 2020
Last visit: 24 Sep 2025
Posts: 41
Own Kudos:
19
Given Kudos: 29
Location: India
Schools: HEC Sept 23 Intake (M$) Fuqua '25 (A$) ISB '24 (A)
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V38
GPA: 3.64
Schools: HEC Sept 23 Intake (M$) Fuqua '25 (A$) ISB '24 (A)
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V38
Posts: 41
Kudos: 19
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 07 Jul 2022, 04:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
How is option D correct? It says the company 'has withdrawn' its earnings guidance for the year, however that is an action that is completed in the past. How can we attach a present perfect tense to the act of withdrawal? It's not as if the company is continuing to withdraw its earnings guidance for the year even now.
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 18,830
Own Kudos:
986
Posts: 18,830
Kudos: 986
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter 03 Nov 2023, 21:50
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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.
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7443 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
231 posts
miag
189 posts