Last visit was: 09 Jul 2025, 09:10 It is currently 09 Jul 2025, 09:10
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
AbdurRakib
Joined: 11 May 2014
Last visit: 22 Jun 2025
Posts: 468
Own Kudos:
41,789
 [3]
Given Kudos: 220
Status:I don't stop when I'm Tired,I stop when I'm done
Location: Bangladesh
Concentration: Finance, Leadership
GPA: 2.81
WE:Business Development (Real Estate)
Posts: 468
Kudos: 41,789
 [3]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sairam595
Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Last visit: 23 Dec 2016
Posts: 219
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 470
Status:Always try to face your worst fear because nothing GOOD comes easy. You must be UNCOMFORTABLE to get to your COMFORT ZONE
Concentration: Marketing, Technology
GMAT 1: 570 Q44 V25
GMAT 2: 600 Q48 V25
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Products:
GMAT 2: 600 Q48 V25
Posts: 219
Kudos: 634
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
AbdurRakib
Joined: 11 May 2014
Last visit: 22 Jun 2025
Posts: 468
Own Kudos:
41,789
 [1]
Given Kudos: 220
Status:I don't stop when I'm Tired,I stop when I'm done
Location: Bangladesh
Concentration: Finance, Leadership
GPA: 2.81
WE:Business Development (Real Estate)
Posts: 468
Kudos: 41,789
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Harley1980
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 06 Jul 2014
Last visit: 14 Jun 2024
Posts: 1,002
Own Kudos:
6,610
 [2]
Given Kudos: 178
Location: Ukraine
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology
GMAT 1: 660 Q48 V33
GMAT 2: 740 Q50 V40
GMAT 2: 740 Q50 V40
Posts: 1,002
Kudos: 6,610
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
smartguy595

Thanks Harley1980, LogicGuru1, AbdurRakib.

I understand becuase modifies verb "have been predicting" in option A.

why is it awkward to say "due to the economy’s continued strength" . pls advise

Hello smartguy595

If we take the same example:
"analysts have been predicting [something] because of the economy’s continued strength"
and change it on caused by:

"analysts have been predicting ... caused by of the economy’s continued strength"

Does it sound for you correct?
User avatar
EducationAisle
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 9 July 2025
Posts: 3,874
Own Kudos:
3,573
 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,874
Kudos: 3,573
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Kunal, a subordinate clause (Dependent clause) + an Independent clause, grammatically functions as an Independent clause. So, in the original sentence, following two Independent clauses are connected by coordinating conjunction and:

(i) Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times
- Independent clause

(ii) Because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November
- Subordinate clause (Because of...) + an Independent clause (analysts have been..), functioning as an Independent clause

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses clauses, their application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
User avatar
targetbusiness
Joined: 06 Mar 2017
Last visit: 24 Feb 2021
Posts: 178
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 330
Concentration: Operations, General Management
Posts: 178
Kudos: 355
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
daagh
Sample 1. Two things leaning more on grammar are important here.
1.Which to use Whether [color=#0000FF]analysts predicted or analysts have been predicting[/color]. 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


daagh
Why did u consider that the prediction is still going on, maybe the analysts predicted for weeks but later got tired and stopped predicting as in 'C'
in C past tense "predicted" with conditional "would" is right that way?
User avatar
daagh
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Last visit: 16 Oct 2020
Posts: 5,264
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 422
Status: enjoying
Location: India
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,264
Kudos: 42,344
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The prediction is valid until November. Only by November, one will know the actual. Therefore, the prediction remains intact until then.
If the original prediction is not currently existent, what is the new prediction now? There is no such thing. Therefore we have to take that the prediction is, as of now, continuing.
User avatar
rashwiniyer
Joined: 18 Aug 2012
Last visit: 09 Jan 2024
Posts: 65
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 78
Posts: 65
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I understand why B, C, D, E are wrong, but in A 'because' should modify a very isn't it ? "economy’s continued strength" is a noun right ?
Please explain.
User avatar
EducationAisle
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 9 July 2025
Posts: 3,874
Own Kudos:
3,573
 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,874
Kudos: 3,573
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
rashwiniyer
I understand why B, C, D, E are wrong, but in A 'because' should modify a very isn't it ? "economy’s continued strength" is a noun right ?
Please explain.
Hi rashwiniyer, grammatically speaking, the sentence does not just say because; it says because of. The presence of of indicates that a prepositional phrase should follow.

In other words, since of is a preposition, it can be expected to be followed by a noun. This is exactly what's happening here.

If you are wondering whether because of the economy’s continued strength acts as an adverbial modifier, the answer is yes.

analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

Why have analysts been predicting?

because of the economy’s continued strength.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses difference between because and because of. Have attached the corresponding section of the book, for your reference.
Attachments

Because of.pdf [16.42 KiB]
Downloaded 124 times

User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 09 Jul 2025
Posts: 7,349
Own Kudos:
68,486
 [6]
Given Kudos: 1,963
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,349
Kudos: 68,486
 [6]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Responding to a question that appeared on our Ask Me Anything About SC thread -- and I figured that it might help somebody here, too:

Mallard
Hi GMAT ninja,

Can you help me with the question below?

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


Correct answer is A, but i selected D. Can you tell me why is D incorrect?
Sure! Take another look at (D): "due to the economy's continued strength, analysts..."

The phrase "due to _____" always modifies a noun. So this construction suggests that the analysts are due to the economy's strength! That doesn't make any sense.

"Because" on the other hand, can modify an action or a whole clause. Here's (A) again:

    "...because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again..."

Now the analysts have been predicting something because of the economy's strength. Perfectly logical.

I hope that helps!
avatar
9takia9
Joined: 15 May 2019
Last visit: 27 Apr 2022
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
1
 [1]
Given Kudos: 154
Posts: 4
Kudos: 1
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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 --> two parallel action: have been predicting is correctly compared to has raised and will is the right form
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target -->it wrongly means that the economic strength of the Federal Reserve is continuing. direct be after target is incorrect
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would -->two incompatible tense actions, economy continues strong and analysts predicted.
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target -->same error as B
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will -->predicted is wrong tense here
User avatar
tinbq
Joined: 04 Nov 2016
Last visit: 26 May 2024
Posts: 121
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 599
Location: Viet Nam
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35
GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V38
GPA: 3.12
GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V38
Posts: 121
Kudos: 24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi experts,

Please help me to clarify why "will" in A is correct and "would" in C is wrong. Shouldn't "would" be used instead of "will" in reported speech? Sorry because I am not a native speaker.

P/S: I have read posts explaining why past tense verb "predicted" is wrong (because of the usage of present tense "continues" in the modifier preceding it).

Thanks
User avatar
Hoozan
Joined: 28 Sep 2018
Last visit: 27 Jun 2025
Posts: 689
Own Kudos:
666
 [4]
Given Kudos: 248
GMAT 1: 660 Q48 V33 (Online)
GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V37
Products:
GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V37
Posts: 689
Kudos: 666
 [4]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Notice the presence of Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised

The usage of present perfect tense suggests that the action of raising has occurred sometime in the past and it is STILL into effect.

Thus, when we talk about the analysts predicting something... We need to show that the prediction is taking place now and that this prediction will happen in the future.

Keeping the above in mind we need "have neen predicting" as rightly written in (A) as compared to "predicted" in (B)

Now, whenever we need to talk about a future action w.r.t a past action we need to use the word "Would"

E.g. Google announced that it would launch it's new cell phone in 2021.

In the above, the announcement happened some time in the past and at this particular time Google was talking about an action (launch) that will happen in the future.

I.e. it is talking about an action that will happen in the future w.r.t a past action

However, in this question, we don't have any past action. We cannot say "predicted" since the prediction must be in the current time frame (as mentioned above). Hence we cannot use the word "would" and thus use "will" instead


Flag this question as it highlights the usage of would w.r.t tenses.


I hope this helps :)

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
M838TE
Joined: 25 Jul 2020
Last visit: 30 Jul 2023
Posts: 46
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 15
Posts: 46
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sivasanjeev
Mountain14
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...

'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.
GMATNinja, and the OP who corrected to show the right application of due-to. As an example, is it correct to use a more complex modified noun such as "the fact that the federal reserved has raised the interest rate is due to economy's continued strength. The sentence is probably little awkward here. *fact* is a noun, and the use of due-to could modify the fact.
The reason I asked is because of another substantive clause used in an OG stem that I thought was hard to quickly spot in 90 seconds avg allowed time per question:
That a ruined structure found at Aqaba, Jordan, was probably a church is indicated by its eastward orientation and overall plan, as well as by the.... the clause because *is indicated by* was a substantive clause used as a noun to my understanding. correct me if my understanding of what could be modified by *due-to* is incorrect please.
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 09 Jul 2025
Posts: 7,349
Own Kudos:
68,486
 [3]
Given Kudos: 1,963
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,349
Kudos: 68,486
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
M838TE
sivasanjeev
Mountain14
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...

'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.
GMATNinja, and the OP who corrected to show the right application of due-to. As an example, is it correct to use a more complex modified noun such as "the fact that the federal reserved has raised the interest rate is due to economy's continued strength. The sentence is probably little awkward here. *fact* is a noun, and the use of due-to could modify the fact.
The reason I asked is because of another substantive clause used in an OG stem that I thought was hard to quickly spot in 90 seconds avg allowed time per question:
That a ruined structure found at Aqaba, Jordan, was probably a church is indicated by its eastward orientation and overall plan, as well as by the.... the clause because *is indicated by* was a substantive clause used as a noun to my understanding. correct me if my understanding of what could be modified by *due-to* is incorrect please.
Here's how I'd react to your example if I encountered it on the exam: first, I'd think there has to be a clearer way to express that idea. Is the fact due to the strength of the economy or is it the Fed's reaction?

But technically speaking, "the fact" refers to the Fed's reaction. So is it 100% wrong? I don't think so. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable eliminating an answer choice because of a "rule" stipulating that a "that clause" can never be modified by the phrase "due to." There is no such rule. All we know for sure is that "due to" should modify a noun, and a "that clause" can function like a noun.

So this would fall under a gray area for me. If I found another answer that conveyed the same idea more simply and more clearly, I'd choose that alternative, as long as that alternative didn't contain any other glaring issues. But if the other four options all had a concrete error, I'd have no choice but to swallow and pick an option I didn't love.

This kind of logical reasoning is uncomfortable to do under pressure. But it's also unavoidable. A lot of SC simply can't be boiled down to rules. Language is too complicated. So anytime you're not certain that a given construction is wrong, hang on to it, and try to eliminate the stuff you know is wrong.

I hope that helps!
User avatar
ashmit99
Joined: 20 Feb 2019
Last visit: 09 Apr 2025
Posts: 91
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 192
Location: India
GPA: 3.2
Products:
Posts: 91
Kudos: 38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
neeshpal
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


Source : GMATPrep Default Exam Pack


VeritasKarishma EducationAisle MartyTargetTestPrep

In option D, I get that "due to" modifies noun so it doesn't make sense. But how about the use of subjunctive? Is that fine? Please share your views.


Thank you in advance!
User avatar
EducationAisle
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 9 July 2025
Posts: 3,874
Own Kudos:
3,573
 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,874
Kudos: 3,573
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ashmit99
In option D, I get that "due to" modifies noun so it doesn't make sense. But how about the use of subjunctive? Is that fine? Please share your views.
Indeed Ashmit; the usage of subjunctive is also a problem in D. We predict that something will happen.
User avatar
anandchatterjee11
Joined: 20 Dec 2016
Last visit: 10 Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Given Kudos: 119
Posts: 4
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
how is the first part of the sentence parallel - Fed Reserve has raised and because of the economies continued strength ? what am i missing here?
User avatar
EducationAisle
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 9 July 2025
Posts: 3,874
Own Kudos:
3,573
 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,874
Kudos: 3,573
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
how is the first part of the sentence parallel - Fed Reserve has raised and because of the economies continued strength ? what am i missing here?
Hi Anand, the parallel elements are:

....the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest and analysts have been predicting...

because of the economy’s continued strength isn't really parallel with anything.

Another Example:

Peter was confused about his career choices, and in absence of any viable alternatives, he chose Engineering.

Again, "in absence of any viable alternatives" isn't really parallel with anything. The parallel elements are the following two Independent clauses:

Peter was confused about his career choices, and he chose Engineering.
User avatar
kadamhari825
Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Last visit: 16 Jan 2022
Posts: 64
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,049
Location: India
GMAT 1: 640 Q45 V35
GMAT 2: 660 Q47 V34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello experts,
VeritasKarishma, GMATNinja, @sayantanc2k,@AndrewN,@generis,@AjiteshArun, @DmitrytFarber,@MagooshExpert,@EducationAisle,@GMATNinjaTwo, nightblade354, marty Murray

can you please tell us why wrong answers are wrong?

Thanks for your insights.
   1   2   3   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7349 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
235 posts