The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed has dropped sharp

Question

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed has dropped sharply this month,  even though it may be only temporarily .

(A) even though it may be only temporarily

(B) but it may be temporary only

(C) but the drop may be only temporary

(D) even though the drop may only be temporary

(E) but such a drop may only be a temporary one

egmat · Accepted Answer

https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Meaning-Analysis-2.png  
 
  Sentence Structure   
 https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Labor-ques-sentene-structure.png  
 
  Meaning   
The sentence states that the percentage of the unemployed workforce has decreased this month. Presenting the contrast, the sentence says that this decline may be short-term.

https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Error-Analysis-2.png

1.  Pronoun Error:  There is no logical antecedent for the pronoun “ it ” in the underlined portion of the sentence. The pronoun intends to refer to the drop in the percentage, but no noun in the original sentence can serve as a logical antecedent.

2.  Modifier Error:  The adverb “ temporarily ” is not grammatically correct in the sentence. This adverb cannot grammatically or logically modify the verb “may be.” The grammatically and logically correct modifier here would be the adjective “temporary” to modify the specific noun “the drop” that needs to replace the ambiguous pronoun “ it .”

https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Answer-Choice-Analysis-2.png  
 
 A. even though it may be only temporarily   
  Incorrect  : Errors discussed in the error analysis.
 https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/square-1.png  
 
 B. but it may be temporary only   
  Incorrect  :
1.  Pronoun Error:  This option repeats the pronoun error in the original sentence. 
2.  Structure Error:  The adverb “ only ” comes after the adjective “temporary” that it intends to modify. This structure is grammatically incorrect.   Note   - Adverbs that modify adjectives must come directly before the adjectives they modify.

C. but the drop may be only temporary   
  Correct:   This option corrects the errors in the original sentence without introducing any new errors. The pronoun “ it ” has been replaced with the specific noun “the drop.” The use of “but” instead of “even though” continues to present the intended contrast. The adverb “temporarily” has been appropriately changed to the adjective “temporary” and correctly modifies the noun “the drop.”

D. even though the drop may only be temporary   
  Incorrect  :  Structure Error: 
The adverb “only” is separated from the adjective “temporary” that it modifies. As discussed in option B, this adverb must come directly before the adjective.

E. but such a drop may only be a temporary one   
  Incorrect  :  Structure Error: 
This option is wordy and imprecise. The adverb “only” is separated from the adjective “temporary” that it modifies. As discussed in option B, this adverb must come directly before the adjective.

https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Takeaways-2.png  
 
1. Always make sure that the pronouns in a sentence have a logical and grammatically correct antecedent.
2. When using modifiers, remember to use adjectives to modify nouns and adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. 
3. When adverbs modify adjectives, the adverb must be placed right before the adjective it modifies.
 
I hope this helps clarify.
Cheers!
Stacey

sudarshan22 · Answer

Official Explanation :

In  choices A  and  B , the pronoun it has no noun referent and must be replaced by a noun such as drop. That noun should be modified by an adjective (temporary), not an adverb (temporarily) .

In  choices A  and  D , even though misstates the relationship between ideas by suggesting that unemployment dropped sharply despite the possibility that the drop is temporary:, but suggests nothing more than a contrast between a recent drop and possible future reversal.

In choices  B ,  D , and  E , only is separated from the adjective it modifies; in the correct answer only should (or must) immediately precede temporary. The phrase such a drop in  E  wrongly implies that this drop is but one example of a whole class of similar events being discussed.

Choice C  is the best answer.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed has dropped sharply this month,  even though it may be only temporarily.

(A) even though it may be only temporarily

(B) but it may be temporary only

(C) but the drop may be only temporary

(D) even though the drop may only be temporary

(E) but such a drop may only be a temporary one

The percentage of the labor force has dropped sharply but this drop may be temporary. We cannot use the pronoun “it” because it does not relate to "drop" as the sentence uses “dropped” as a verb.  Eliminate A and B. 
As we are talking about the drop, we need an adjective “temporary” and not the adverb “temporarily”

The use of “even though” distorts the meaning of the sentence.  Eliminate D. 
Option E is wordy and redundant.  Eliminate E.

Option C  corrects all the errors mentioned above and is hence correct.

Helium · Answer

IMO - C

baru · Answer

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed has dropped sharply this month, even though it may be only temporarily.

(A) even though it may be only temporarily - ' it ' must refer to percentage drop of labor , but refers only to percentage of labor

(B) but it may be temporary only - same problem , it - does not refer to percentage drop of labor

(C) but the drop may be only temporary - 'the drop ' refers to percentage drop we were taking before in the sentence, so keep it

(D) even though the drop may only be temporary - "even though" is not appropriate in this case

(E)  but such a drop may only be a temporary one - but Such a drop is specific and talking about the percentage with drop ,and when compared to  may be only   vs  may only be   , may be only sounds awkward  .

Even though VS But :
Even though is used to show a paradox which is not the current circumstance 
But can be used to express a simple contrast or a paradox

Mick1005 · Answer

IMO C.
No clear reason to eliminate C
A, B have it, which refers nothing so eliminate it.
D, E are wordy and awkward

baru · Answer

GMATNinja

Can you let me know Why option E is wrong . I still want to go with Option E for this Question.

Please correct me .

Regards,
Bharathi

Darshi04 · Answer

Hello Bharathi, Allow me to add some insight here and see if it makes sense. It is needless to say "Such a drop" as mentioned in option E , because we are not really comparing different types of drops in percentage . For example, if the percentage dropped sharply this month as compared to mildly in the last 2 months (an info. that we aren't really provided with), then I believe it would be alright to say "such a drop". Another, possibly more convincing and general explanation , would be that we always use "SO + Adverb/Adjective" and "SUCH + Noun". E.g. 1) She baked the cake so carefully . 2) She baked such a delicious cake . In our case, option E only mentions "such a drop" - your choice would make a stronger case if it was "such a sharp drop". However, it would still be better to go for concision over wordiness.

Another reason to reject E is "redundancy": Notice that it mentions "such a drop" and then "temporary one ". You don't need "one" when you are already mentioning "the drop" earlier. I hope this makes sense.

teaserbae · Answer

daagh   AjiteshArun 
Can you please brief why D and E is wrong ?
I rejected because may be only sounded more correct than may only be

AjiteshArun · Answer

You're right:  may only be  is a problem. We need the  only  to more clearly modify  temporary . A similar example:

He may  only be  the one who can solve the department's problems. 
vs.
 He may be the  only one  who can solve the department's problems.

daagh · Answer

I think in D and E, the meaning is subtly changing due to the incongruous placement of the limiting adverb 'only'. When we say only temporary, the focus is solely on temporariness. On the contrary, by shifting the adverb 'only' before 'be' the focus now tilts on 'being' and suggests that the drop can only 'be temporary' and not any another possibility such as extended, long-term etc.

Even though this shift of focus is too fine to gauze, we have to respect it because GMT has chosen to test it.

Even though this shift of focus is too fine to gauze, we have to respect it because GMT has chosen to test it.

gadde22 · Answer

A - it ? - incorrect

B - it ? -incorrect

C - seems good -keep

D - even though is used but the non-underlined part doesnt convey anything postive about the drop - incorrect.

E - generalization , temporary one - lengthy.

goaltop30mba · Answer

Hi  AjiteshArun

Kindly explain the difference among even though , although and but

Look forward to hearing from you..

Regards, 
Adit

Posted from my mobile device

arvind910619 · Answer

Hi this question tests coordinating conjunction and subordinating conjunction.
even though and although are subordinating conjunction. They are used to connect a dependent clause with and independent clause.
But is coordinating conjunction. But is used to connect two independent clauses.

Konstantin1983 · Answer

A is wrong because "it" has no antecedent. Same for B. D is wrong because "even though" doesn't show a contrast. C is better than E because of usage of "only"

100mitra · Answer

Correct Option : C

- are some commonly used words, which are used to describe contrast meaning in the sentence, let me put some examples for better understanding, mentioned below, the meaning of all sentence is same, only difference is the grammertically usage.

Although  we don't agree, I think she's a brilliant speaker.
 Even though  we don't agree, I think she's a brilliant speaker.
 In spite of  the law, people continue to use mobile phones while driving.
 Despite the  law, people continue to use mobile phones while driving.

in spite of / despite  : After in spite of and despite, we use a noun, gerund (-ing form of a verb) or a pronoun.
 although / even though  : After although and even though, we use a subject and a verb. Even though is slightly stronger and more emphatic than although.
 Though :Though can be used in the same way as although. Though can also go at the end of the second phrase.
 But  is a Conjuction, majorly used between the sentence of two contrast clause.

with this knowledge, we are able to eliminate A, and D. Remaining with B, C and E

(B) but it may be temporary only - Worng, due to Pronoun  "it"  - usage creates ambiguity

(C) but the drop may be only temporary -  Correct

(E) but such a drop may only be a temporary one - usage of "Such" determiner to modify Drop, and "be a temporary one" wordy phrase, is not required to simple meaning indicated by D -  makes E eliminate

RAVIZZZ5 · Answer

1. Pronoun Error: it has no anticedent
2. Structure Error: The adverb “only” comes after the adjective “temporary” that it intends to modify. This structure is grammatically incorrect. Note - Adverbs that modify adjectives must come directly before the adjectives they modify.

C. but the drop may be only temporary
Correct: This option corrects the errors in the original sentence without introducing any new errors. The pronoun “it” has been replaced with the specific noun “the drop.” The use of “but” instead of “even though” continues to present the intended contrast. The adverb “temporarily” has been appropriately changed to the adjective “temporary” and correctly modifies the noun “the drop.”

D. even though the drop may only be temporary
Incorrect: Structure Error:
The adverb “only” is separated from the adjective “temporary” that it modifies. As discussed in option B, this adverb must come directly before the adjective.

E. but such a drop may only be a temporary one
Incorrect: Structure Error:
This option is wordy and imprecise. The adverb “only” is separated from the adjective “temporary” that it modifies. As discussed in option B, this adverb must come directly before the adjective.

achloes · Answer

I'd like to share two tips that have helped me immensely for dealing with "even though" and checking correct usage.

Tip 1:  The "even though" clause should set up an expectation and be followed by a contrasting result

Example:  Even though Ben was late, he decided to walk to the office.
 
 Even though Ben was late...  (expectation that Ben would compensate for his lateness)
 ... he decided to walk to the office.  (contrasting result)

Tip 2:  Sentence split should be chronological: the "even though" clause takes place first, followed by the result

Example:  Even though the test results proved negative, the doctors prescribed a strict diet regimen for Tom.
 
 Even though the test results proved negative...  (Tom gets his test results, which were negative) 
 ... the doctors prescribed a strict diet regimen for Tom.  (then the doctors decide put him on a diet nonetheless)

Applying the above to option D, it's evident why "even though" is a poor fit!

Riri15 · Answer

using but, the sentences should be parallel and therefore have the same subject. ut the first part has percentage as its subject and the second part has "the drop" as its subject.

similar Q where this concept has been applied-https://gmatclub.com/forum/to-josephine-baker-paris-was-her-home-long-before-it-was-fashionable-64758.html

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed has dropped sharp

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed has dropped sharp

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