Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest

'because of' modifies a verb phrase
'due to' modifies a noun/noun phrase.

Ex:

It is cold in USA because of the polar vortex.
Why is it cold? because of polar vortex.

The cold wave in USA is due to polar vortex.
The cold wave in USA is caused by polar vortex.

Back to the question stem,

Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times because of economy's continued
strength.
Why did the FR raise interest rate? because of economy's continued strength.

If you want to use 'due to', your sentence should look like

The raise in short-term interest rate is due to economy's continued strength.
The raise is caused by economy's continued strength.

Interesting post !

Three things always take "will" -
prediction
estimation
calculation

Now I see some guys confused D as subjunctive - Here is the nice explanation on this link which clears this stuff -

Ron says-
'predict' doesn't go with this style of subjunctive. that's the command subjunctive, which goes with orders, requests, wishes, and the like, but not with predictions.

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sin ... t3110.html

hi,

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

first of all we can see that in non underlined portion we can see a COMMA before and...hence a independent clause must be there after and.
now option B is straight away wrong ..since an IC you will never see starting with WITH...HENCE B out.

C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would===>PREDICTITION is not 100 percent THING...and so also WOULD...so never use WOULD with PREDICTION....its kinda redundant thing...always use WILL.==>Hence this is wrong

D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target===>absence of WILL makes this option wrong...its acting as a subjunctive form.==>hence wrong.

E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will==>here they are 2 errors...first,due to the fact adds to wordiness .second, predicted ...is wrongverb tense ...we need present perfect ..because of the use of FOR WEEKS.

Hence correct option is A.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses + Subjunctive Mood + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• The present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.

A: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "the economy’s continued strength", conveying the intended meaning - that because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November. Further, Option A correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense verb "have been predicting" to refer to an action that started in past and continues into the present. Additionally, Option A avoids the subjunctive mood error seen in Options B and D, as it does not utilize the subjunctive mood. Besides, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "predicted" to refer to an action that started in past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the command subjunctive construction "bossy verb ("predicted") + that + something be done ("the target be raised")" to refer to a hypothetical future action. Further, Option B uses the passive continuous tense verb "with the economy’s strength continuing", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "the economy continues strong"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "predicted" to refer to an action that started in past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.

D: This answer choice incorrectly uses the command subjunctive construction "bossy verb ("predicted") + that + something be done ("the target be raised")" to refer to a hypothetical future action. Further, Option D uses the passive continuous tense verb "with the economy’s strength continuing", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "predicted" to refer to an action that started in past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase "due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Continuous Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minutes):



To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will- seems fine as the phrase maintains past perfect tense and has 'will' and 'have been' at the right places.
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target - continuing seems awkward
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target - 'will' is missing
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will- 'due to the fact that' is wordy

Hence, my Answer is A. what is the OG and an alternate explanation if anyone thinks otherwise.

Sample 1. Two things leaning more on grammar are important here.
1.Which to use Whether analysts predicted or analysts have been predicting. Considering that, the prediction is still going on and not a competed task, we need to use present progressive tense. So A and D survive.
2. Use of the subjunctive mood verb 'be raised' in the sub clause is inappropriate. Prediction is not a bossy theme to entail the command subjunctive.

Therefore, A is the choice

Can someone please explain why C is wrong?

Thanks!
Diana

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

This question offers pretty good splits actually.
1)First split: verb tense => predicted VS have been predicting. Since we are talking about an action that happened over a period of time ("for weeks") the latter is correct.
2)Will or would? Since we are making a prediction about the future will is correct.
3)Due to or because of? if you cannot replace "due to" with "caused by", the sentence is incorrect (as happens here).

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will

This identifies A as the correct option.



?????

Official question #1: Plants are more efficient at acquiring carbon than are fungi, in the form of carbon dioxide, and converting it to energy-rich sugars.

Official question #2:The Iroquois were primarily planters, but supplementing their cultivation of maize, squash, and beans with fishing and hunting.

Official question #3: Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it. is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.

Comma + and does not introduce an IC in all those examples.

hi,
sorry i was not very clear...
there are 3 ways we can use and
x and y===>list of two things....usage 1
x,y,and y===>list of 3 things..so you need a comma before when you have a list of more than 2 things.............usage 2
X,and Y===>in this case ==>X AND Y ARE ICs....=>my intention was to point out this category.......usage 3

your example:
Official question #1: Plants are more efficient at acquiring carbon than are fungi, in the form of carbon dioxide, and converting it to energy-rich sugars.

highlited part is modifier...they are supposed to be kept in between commas...if you remove the modifier..
then it becomes===Official question #1: Plants are more efficient at acquiring carbon than are fungi and converting it to energy-rich sugars.===>satisfying usage 1.
list of 2 things.

Official question #2:The Iroquois were primarily planters,but supplementing their cultivation of maize, squash, and beans with fishing and hunting.==>satisfying usage 2==>list of more than 2 things.

Official question #3: [u]Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it. is finding uses in medicine, archaeology, and criminology.===>again satisfying usage 2...list of more than 2 things..


Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.
=====>here there is no list ,,we have a complete clause an IC...BEFORE AND..so a IC is required after and....==>usage 3

hope it helps....
well for further understanding..read below an excerpt of MANHATTAN SC GUIDE.


Whenever you see and in a GMAT sentence, look for the list and count the items. GMAT
sentences have been observed to include as many as four items in a list connected by and.
List
XandY
X, Y, and Z
X, Y, Z, andW
Examples
Apples AND pears
Apples, pears, AriD bananas
Apples, pears, bananas, AND peaches
Correct lists obey these templates. No right answer omits and in a list just before the last
item. Moreover, the GMAT always inserts a comma before the and in lists of 3 or 4 items.
However, if you join 2 clauses with and, you can put an optional comma before the and.
Doing so is especially recommended when the clauses are long, independent, or both.
List of Clauses
X, and Y
Example
I really like candy apples, AND I eat them often.

HOPE IT HELPS....

Can we have " Due to " rather than " because" in option A?

I know due to is used where " Caused by" can be replaced. But isn't due to better than because in this case...

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target -
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would - Wrong tense usage
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

Prediction in present- Use future tense
Prediction in past - Use Would

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
Correct, but wordy.
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
Incorrect. "Analysts predicted with the economy" sounds as they predicted something together (analysts + economy).
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
Incorrect. Because x continues strong, analysts continue predicting. This structure demands a progressive tense.
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
Incorrect. "due" to is an adjective, so the real meaning here is: they are analysts because of the economy's continued strength, what is just wrong.
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will
Incorrect. "due" to is an adjective, so the real meaning here is: they are analysts because of the economy's continued strength, what is just wrong.

Going with A. Wordy but fine.

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

IM-Should nt choice c be correct,

-it makes sense to use simple past tense and use would with the same.
-in choice e, the analysts have been predicting, is understandable but how can someone predict about the future using the word "will", since its a prediction should'nt it be would.

I would request you to post a detailed solution as I have other problems in this question too.

Hi Sahil,

Thanks for posting your doubt here.

Choice cannot be the correct answer. The sentence clearly says that Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times. This means that at present also, the raised interest continues.

Then the sentence says that the analysts have been predicting for weeks. Use of present perfect continuous tense is absolutely correct because the analysts started the action of predicting in the recent past, and the action is still continued. This prediction is being made about an even that is going to take place in the future for the reason that the economy in the present is strong. If the cause is written in the present tense, how can the effect take place in the past?

So please take into consideration of the context of the sentence to decide the correct verb tense.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha

A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will. The sentence is in 'present perfect' tense, and hence 'will' form of verb looks perfectly fine. 'because of' is also right. Hold it.

B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target. 'with the economy strength continuing' has meaning issues. Analysts predicted because of economy’s strength continuing?

C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would. 'predicted' and 'would' are redundant.

D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target. replace 'due to' with 'caused by', and we will not get the meaning.

E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will replace 'due to' with 'caused by', and we will not get the meaning.

A is the answer

becuase modifies verb, in option A becuase modifies which verb?

If we have option D as "D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will" - is it correct!

also if we replace "due to" with "caused by" doesn't it make sense.
whats wrong in saying caused by economy's continued strength; is that wrong since it modifies analysts

pls advise

Hello, smartguy595.

"becuase modifies verb, in option A becuase modifies which verb?"

IMHO the difficultness of this question lies in it reversed structure.
I think you seek the verb before the word "because".

What if we reconstruct this sentence a little bit:

"analysts have been predicting [something] because of the economy’s continued strength"

What do you think now? Which verb modifies the word "because"?