Hi Everyone,
Let me begin by thanking you all for your detailed responses. Here comes the detailed solution of this question.
Planned reduction in orders for components for the iPhone 5 is
due to weaker-than-expected demand because Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments have declined from 23% to 14% since the last year while Samsung's share has steadily increased from 8.8% to 31% during the same time period.
"¢ Apple has reduced orders for iPhone 5 components.
"¢ The reason for this decision is weaker-than-expected demand.
"¢ Since last year,
o Apple's share has declined from 23% to 14%.
o However, Samsung's share has increased from 8.8% to 31%.
Error Analysis
"¢ Clause 1: Planned reduction in orders for components for the iPhone 5 is
due to weaker-than-expected demand
"¢ Clause 2:
because Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments have declined from 23% to 14% since the last year
"¢ Clause 3: while Samsung's share has steadily increased from 8.8% to 31% during the same time period.
Error 1 - Illogical Meaning - The sentence implies that demand if weaker because Apple's share has declined over a certain time period. The causal relationship in this context does not make much sense since the demand did not become weak because the shipments decreased. In fact the correct relationship should be as follows: Demand has weakened as evidenced by the decrease in number of shipments. So the correct sentence should present such relationship.
Error 2 - Plural verb "have declined" does not agree in number with singular subject "Apple's share".
PoE
A. due to weaker-than-expected demand because Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments have declined:
Incorrect for the reasons stated above.
B. because of weaker-than-expected demand: Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments declined:
Incorrect.
Correct Part - This choice uses correct construction to express the logical intended meaning. The clause after the colon is used to present the idea that explains the weaker than expected demand.
Error 1 - Use of "because of" is incorrect because it modifies the noun entity "Planned reduction". "Due to" should be used to modify nouns.
Error 2 - Use of past tense "declined" is incorrect because the word "since" has been used to present the sequencing decline in shipments started in the recent past and may still be continuing. Hence we need present perfect tense.
C. due to weaker-than-expected demand: Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments has declined:
Correct Answer
D. because of weaker-than-expected demand, declining Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments:
Incorrect.
Error 1 - Use of "because of" is incorrect because it modifies the noun entity "Planned reduction".
Error 2 - The comma + verb-ing modifier "declining" modifies the preceding clause. It presents the result of the modified clause. This modification is illogical as discussed in original choice.
E. because of weaker-than-expected demand that decreased Apple's share of world-wide smartphone shipments:
Incorrect.
Error 1 - Use of "because of" is incorrect because it modifies the noun entity "Planned reduction".
Error 2 - Use of past tense "decreased" is not correct. We need present perfect.
Error 3 - Illogical meaning. This choice implies that weaker than expected demand decreased Apple's share of shipments. This is not logical intended meaning.
1. "Because of" cannot be used to refer to a noun entity. Use of "Due to" is correct for such usages.
2. Subject and Verb must agree in number with each other.
3. Use present perfect tense with "since", when "since" is used to present sequencing.
4. Comma + Verb-ing modifies the preceding clause. It either presents additional information about the preceding clause or it presents the result of the preceding clause.
Thanks.
Payal
