Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, althou

Question

Policy makers  remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far .

(A) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far
 
(B) still remain concerned about the prospects of inflation; there are as yet few signs that increasing energy prices are currently driving up the cost of other goods
 
(C) remain concerned about the prospect for inflation, even though as yet few signs of higher energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods so far
 
(D) still remain concerned about inflation, even though there are currently few signs that increasing energy prices drive up the cost of other goods
 
(E) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the dearth of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods

(E) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the lack of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods

mikemcgarry · Accepted Answer

I'm happy to help with this. :-)

First of all, when we say someone " remains concerned ", this implies they have been concerned for a while and are still concerned. Adding the word "still" contributes absolutely no new information. The construction " still remains " is 100% redundant and always wrong. Therefore, right away, (B) & (D) are out. This is a subtle grammar point. A proposition can have as its object an ordinary noun. A preposition can also have as its object the -ing form know as a gerund . In terms of the GMAT SC, it is illegal to have the construction: + + . For example, in answer choice (A), ... there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far We are trying pack action into a prepositional phrase. If we want to describe action, we need a bonafide clause. This is why (A) is wrong. (C) changes the meaning --- by saying "... few signs of higher energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods ..." , it is suggesting that the "signs" are driving up the cost of the other goods. What the original sentence says, and what makes logical sense, is that the "higher energy prices" are driving up these costs. In swapping around the grammatical forms, (C) changes it something that is both different in meaning and illogical. (C) is wrong. We have rejected the first four answers, so we hope (E) works! Fortunately, it does. (E) Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the dearth of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods . The action that (A) tried to cram into a prepositional phrase here appears correctly in a "that" clause with a full bonafide + structure: " that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods . Everything is correct in this option. Does all this make sense? Mike :-)

macjas · Answer

Here's my take: Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far. (A) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far

"so far" seems to logically modify "few signs" but they are too far apart effectively making this an awkward choice. Also, "few signs of increasing energy prices" seems to imply, that the "signs" are driving up the costs of goods and not the" increasing energy prices" itself. (B) still remain concerned about the prospects of inflation; there are as yet few signs that increasing energy prices are currently driving up the cost of other goods

I'm not too sure about this one; my guess is that "currently" is redundant as we know this is in the present. I suspect there is some issue in the clause after the semi-colon. Experts please comment .. (C) remain concerned about the prospect for inflation, even though as yet few signs of higher energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods so far

as yet and so far are redundant plus we have the same problem from A- the "signs" are "driving up the cost".... Also "prospect for inflation" seems weird. (D) still remain concerned about inflation, even though there are currently few signs that increasing energy prices drive up the cost of other goods

the policy makers are concerned about the prospect of inflation and not inflation itself. (E) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the dearth of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods

this option correctly connects the scarcity of signs that increasing energy prices are driving up the costs and NOT the signs are driving up the costs.

omerrauf · Answer

Has to be "E" in this case.

First thing to note is that "prospect OF inflation" is idiomatically correct so a few choices wade away quite early. The second part has a lot to do with the intended meaning of the sentence. We want to show "a lack of indicators" of inflation. Only option E addresses the intended meaning correctly. Also the action "Driving" has to be a gerund because of the time frame we are talking about. It is a continual action.

i3rook · Answer

Let me give it a try

Option A:
remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far

-  remain concerned about the prospect of inflation  <- no problem so far
-  although there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far  <-- "so far" which is a modifier of "there are" appears at the end of the sentence. This could cause some confusions regarding which word "so far" is modifying (could be read as modifying "driving" instead)

Option E:
remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the lack of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods
-  despite the lack of signs thus far that increasing energy  <-- it's much clearer her that "thus far" is modifying the noun the "lack of signs". The construction of the second part of the sentence (increasing energy prices...) is also very clear.

Hence, E, in my opinion.

Injuin · Answer

First off, I eliminated any answer choice that had "as yet" because "as yet" sounds awkward. So B and C are out.

I didn't like A because "although" is usually used at the beginning of a sentence. Usually, you use "even though" in the middle of a sentence.

So now we are left with D and E. I initially wanted to pick E but was worried that the introduction of the word "dearth" would be bad. E wins out because the policymakers are concerned about the prospects of inflation, not inflation (has not happened yet).

machichi · Answer

A) ugh, "few signs of increasing prices driving" is so confusing and awkward.
B) as yet + currently = yucky
C) as yet + so far = redundant
D) Changes the meaning (why drop the word prospect?) and still remain is redundant.
E) Yay! dearth is used absolutely correctly. This is the best answer.

rphardu · Answer

Thanks for describing your approach but there are couple of things that I would like to mention. Not to offend buddy 1. Don't remove any choice because of as yet -- Idiom: as yet Up to the present time; up to now. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/as+yet 2. Although can come later part of sentence 3. E wins out because the policymakers are concerned about the prospects of inflation, not inflation - In each choice author is talking about prospects of inflation and not inflation. Here what i have found. Still remain is redundant so option B and D is out. A is out because preposition + noun + ving modifier is wrong construction. Between C and E. I feel issue is meaning. Author intends to say that "Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices " are driving up the cost of other goods so far" is main verb of few signs not the modifier. Please correct me if I am wrong at any place, it will help me to improve my knowledge.

yashii9 · Answer

All the replies are great. But this is how I would have approached this question making 2:3 split

(A) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing  energy prices driving up the cost  of other goods so far

Looking at A you can notice there is a grammar mistake.

Noun + ing verb - this constructing needs a helping verb (Is/Are)

This error is repeated in other sentences. based on this eliminate A,C,D.

(B) still remain concerned about the prospects of  inflation; there  are as yet few signs that increasing energy prices are currently driving up the cost of other goods

Between B &E - there certainly should not be a break with a semi-colon. Eliminate B and re-read original statement with E

daagh · Answer

I think macjas has more than adequately brought out the fine points of this issue. Big kudo to him I may just like add a few words about choice B 
Apart from currently being redundant, there is another issue regarding the construction of the sentence. There are two ICs separated by a semicolon and they are no doubt related. But the first portion is a little grey. It says that the policy makers are still concerned, but their being still concerned, is in spite of having only feeble signs. Such a paradox can be clearly expressed only by a clear contrasting conjunction such as though, although, even though etc;

ChrisLele · Answer

'Still remain' strikes me as wordy. What's the difference between 'remain' and 'still remain.' Eliminate (B) and (D).

Both (A) and (D) put the adverbial modifier 'so far' after the noun phrase 'cost of goods'. 'So far' should be modifying the lack of signs. Therefore (E).

Vercules · Answer

The subtle errors in this question are on tenses, concision and redundancy. Tough to answer and even tougher to explain.

The sentence intends to say that the increasing energy prices are driving up the costs of other goods, but the policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation.

a. remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs of increasing energy prices  driving up  the cost of other goods  so far

The placement of the participle "driving" is incorrectly modifying "energy prices" indicating that these are the energy prices that drive the cost of other goods, this makes less sense. Using it as a verb will make more sense "energy prices are driving up the costs", this will correctly mean that the cost of goods is driven up by the "increasing energy prices". The placement of "so far" is not the major issue here; however, its placement next to "the signs" will make the meaning more clear.

b. still remain concerned about the prospects of inflation; there are  as yet few  signs that increasing energy prices  are currently  driving up the cost of other goods

This jumbled up construction does not express the intended meaning of the sentence. Use of "as yet" seems awkward. Even if we consider "as yet" as correct, it creates a redundancy with "currently"

c. remain concerned about the prospect for inflation, even though as yet few signs of  higher energy prices  are driving up the cost of other goods so far
 
 The most significant error is changing "increasing" to "higher". Apart from changing the meaning, the use of "higher" is also incorrect; a comparative (higher in this case) asks for the use of "than" i.e. "higher" than what. "increasing" would mean that that the prices are continuously increasing, whereas "higher" means that the prices ars higher than something.

d.  still  remain concerned about inflation,  even though  there are currently few signs that increasing energy prices drive up the cost of other goods.

Using both "still" and "remain" creates redundancy. Moreover, (D) is changing the meaning of the sentence. The original sentence mentions "concerned about prospect of inflation" and (D) changes it to "concerned about inflation". Using simple past "drive" makes it a generally true fact that "increasing energy prices" drive up the cost of other goods.

e. remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the dearth of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods.

Looks the least bad among all the answer choices. Though not very beautifully written, (E) correctly places "thus far" next to signs. No other meaning or tense errors.

Hope this helps,

Vercules

eski · Answer

Hi Vercules ,

Some clarifications .

d. still remain concerned about inflation, even though there are currently few signs that increasing energy prices drive up the cost of other goods.

in " there are currently " is currently redundant ?

e. remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the dearth of signs  thus far  that  increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods .

the "increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods" is the essential clause , should it not start with increase rather then gerund .
BTW increasing is modifying signs . Increase energy prices is a type of signs of inflation , v/s it is a cause of inflation . Is this not wrong usage . Leaving aside the  thus far  preposition .

Give two comparative answers , E v/s A , Dont you think A is better then E for OA ?

-Eski

Vercules · Answer

Hi eski ,

No it is not redundant, the use of both "still remain" and "even though" is redundant. The use of "currently is incorrect", the intended meaning is that of "so far"/ "till now"/ or "thus far". Using currently means just the current signs but we are concerned about the signs "so far". The major recognizable error in this choice is the use of "drive", a simple past form.

If we start the the "that" clause with "increase" then we will change the meaning of the sentence.

"that the increase in energy prices is" -->   It would mean that the prices have increased and this increase is driving the prices of other goods.

"that the increasing energy prices are" -->   It means that prices are increasing, but the increasing prices are driving up the prices of other goods.

Moreover, "increasing" is not acting as a gerund (-ing acting as a noun), but instead it is acting as a participle (-ing as an adjective). Increasing is modifying "energy prices". Note that the verb in the second sentence is "are" which agrees with the plural "energy prices", the noun.

A does sound tempting and in but (E) is better; in the absence of (E), (A) would have been the best answer.

Hope this helps,

Vercules

aditya8062 · Answer

well i can explain as why others are wrong !! probably that way we can eliminate others and come down to option E

following bold portions are wrong

A) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, although there are few signs  of increasing energy prices driving  up the cost of other goods so far

B)  still remain  concerned about the prospects of inflation; there are as yet few signs that increasing energy prices are currently driving up the cost of other goods

C) remain concerned about the prospect for inflation,  even though  as  yet  few signs of higher energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods so far

D)  still remain  concerned about inflation, even though there are currently few signs that increasing energy prices drive up the cost of other goods

E) remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the dearth of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods

aditya8062 · Answer

"still remain" is redundant !! when u say  someone remain concerned  then the notion of  "still"  is embedded into that fact 
in other words either would have been ok individually :1)  they remain concerned  
2 )  he is still concerned

KarishmaB · Answer

Responding to a pm:

"prospect of inflation" means "possibility of inflation"
"prospects of" means "chances/ expectations, usually of success"

So policy makers remain concerned about the prospect (possibility) of inflation. 'Remain concerned about inflation' would not be accurate since there is a possibility of inflation (there are few signs hence inflation isn't actually taking place). Hence (B) and (D) are out.

(B) uses a semi colon and hence the sentence misses out on the contrast "...remain concerned, although/even though/despite..."

In option (A), placement of 'so far' makes it ambiguous. There are few signs so far OR ...driving up cost so far... 
Also, in (A), "there are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost ..." is incorrect structure.

"of + noun + ing" verb is correct only if "of + noun" makes perfect sense (not very common).

I have a video of a cat playing the piano. - video is of the cat so this sentence is correct.

There are few signs of increasing energy prices driving up the cost of other goods. - the few signs are not of energy prices but of energy prices driving up the cost of goods. Hence, this structure is not correct.

(C) is obviously incorrect "few signs of higher energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods" - illogical

Hence correct answer is (E). It uses 'prospect of inflation', places 'thus far' correctly - "lack of signs thus far that..."

saikrishna123 · Answer

Can we say below

Despite X, Y in which X is a noun and Y is a clause/independent statement. Shouldnt X & Y be parallel.

But in this case, X doesn't have any verb i.e. despite the lack of signs thus far
Y is a clause/

Please clarify

KarishmaB · Answer

Option (E) is:
Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, despite the lack of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods

The structure of the sentence is equivalent to (after removing the essential modifier to see the structure easily): 
Despite the lack of signs thus far, policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation.

X and Y do not need to be in parallel.
Usually, with despite, we use a noun/pronoun (including gerunds) and then an independent clause.

mvictor · Answer

still remain - redundant. 
in A - so far - what does it refer to? so far what? no
B - still remain - redundant. are currently driving - present progressive + currently - redundant again
C - still remain - out. prices drive up - we need a progressive tense so no.
D - still remain - out. concerned about inflation - suspicious. drive up in present simple - same as in C.
E = thus far is near the signs, so the signs so far are that increasing energy prices are driving the costs.. so ok with this one.

Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, althou

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Policy makers remain concerned about the prospect of inflation, althou

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