Being able to predict the rise and fall of the interest rate

Question

Being able to predict the rise and fall of the interest rate could allow us to make solid investments and reap enormous profits.

A) Being able to predict the rise and fall of the interest rate could allow us to make solid investments and reap enormous profits.

B) The capability for predicting the rise and fall of the interest rate could allow us to make solid investments and reap enormous profits.

C) The ability to predict the rise and fall of the interest rate would allow us to make solid investments and reap enormous profits.

D) The ability for predicting the rise and fall of the interest rate could allow us to make solid investments and reap enormous profits

E) The ability for predicting the rise and fall of the interest rate would allow us to make solid investments and reap enormous profits.

Please explain your answer!
Thanks

pm4553 · Answer

C

a - "being"
b - parallism error >> predicting..make // should be making?
d & e - wrong idiom >> "ability to" not "ability for"

OA?

x2suresh · Answer

Agree with C
for parallel and correct idiom.
ability  to do  X .. allow us  to make  Y.

Could vs Would

Check below link

https://www.wordtask.com/TipCouldWould.htm

jatinrai · Answer

C. 'Ability to' is the correct idiom. Capabality should be followed by 'of' & not 'for'.

tarek99 · Answer

yeah, I picked C as well, but the OA is A!! That's because, according to x2suresh's link, "could" expresses an ability while "would" expresses a preference, which means that there is a decision involved. The only similarity between the 2 words is that they both express uncertainty. So based on their exact definitions, it can't be C because "The ability" is not an independent living being that can consciously take its own decision.

makes sense?

makes sense?

leonidas · Answer

On any day, I would have picked (C).

However, after reading tarek's post and knowing the OA. I will agree with OA.
When I was reading the answer choices, I couldn't find anything wrong except "being" in (A). If one wants to preserve the sanctity of the meaning, the only other answer choice can be (B). However, "capability for predicting" is an incorrect use of idiom and hence should be (A).

FatRiverPuff · Answer

*edit* nevermind

bigfernhead · Answer

Just a comment - Being is not wrong, it's just not preferred in the GMAT. We shouldn't quickly eliminate being just because we see it.

I think the test makers are well aware that courses/people shun the use of being, therefore, the makers would be more likely to test us on it. just imo.

Zatarra · Answer

Since "Being able to" is an opening modifier it requires a subject.The original statement does not.Can people vote on whether the original statement is a case of dangling modifier lacking a subject

gurpreetsingh · Answer

If C had could instead of would? then what could the final ans?

PhunsukWangdu · Answer

I have the same concern ... 'would' and 'could' are both gramatically correct, but the usage of 'would' instead of 'could' changes the meaning of the original sentence ... the question says 'can' (could) and we are making it as 'will' (would) ...

raghavs · Answer

hi ,

can anyone plz explain why A is correct..btw thanks for a good post.

calvinhobbes · Answer

Is it correct if I see the phrase "Being able to predict the rise and fall of the interest rate" as a gerund noun? If so, the original sentence looks grammatically correct to me.

Being able to predict the rise and fall of the interest rate

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