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Why C is wrong here?

(C) his optimistic outlook, for which there has often been no good reason,
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egmat, could you please explain why option C is wrong here ? why is the prep. phrase wrong ?, isn't it correctly referring to optimistic outlook ?
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Taulark1
egmat, could you please explain why option C is wrong here ? why is the prep. phrase wrong ?, isn't it correctly referring to optimistic outlook ?

Hey Taulark1

Happy to help.

If by "prep. phrase" you're referring to "for which there has often been no good reason", then let me start by first pointing out that this is a Dependent Clause and not a Prepositional Phrase. There is a rule that "when a Dependent Clause starting with a 'which' ends in a preposition, we usually place that preposition at the start of the Dependent Clause, before the "which"."

...his optimistic outlook, for which there has often been no good reason, ...
  • his optimistic outlook, there has often been no good reason for his optimistic outlook
  • his optimistic outlook, there has often been no good reason for which (his optimistic outlook)
  • his optimistic outlook, which there has often been no good reason for
  • his optimistic outlook, for which there has often been no good reason

Now, coming to your question:

Yes, this dependent clause correctly modifies the "outlook". However,
    1. The tense in this clause is incorrect.
      • The story and the character have been discussed in the past tense.
      • However, this clause uses the present perfect tense.
    2. "for which there has often been no good reason" is a lot wordier and roundabout than "which was often without good reason".
      • Even if we rectified the tense in the DC in choice C, it would still be a lot wordier than choice E.

I hope this answers your questions and improves your understanding of DCs that begin with prepositions.


Happy Learning!

Abhishek
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Taulark1
egmat, could you please explain why option C is wrong here ? why is the prep. phrase wrong ?, isn't it correctly referring to optimistic outlook ?

Hello Taulark1,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the error in C is one of tense; C incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb "has...been" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



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



All the best!
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