Sentence Correction

Recent indications of weakness in the economy have led consumers to be more conservative with their purchases; so depressed have sales figures been as a result that the government has launched several initiatives to actively encourage consumer spending.

A.so depressed have sales figures been as a result that
B.the sales figures have been so depressed as a result that
C.as a result, so depressed has the sales been that
D.the resulting sales figures having been so depressed that
E.the sales figures have been so depressed that, as a result,

[spoiler]OA: A;
I think 'A' is just backward construction of 'B'
What's the difference in meaning/grammar between A & B?
Is 'E' grammatically wrong?
Had one of the choices been given as as a result, the sales figures have been so depressed, would it have become the best choice to choose?[/spoiler]

pls explain what is difference between A & B. When to use A and when to use B

what is the source, In A are there any commas missing.

as a result - These words are not consistent

as a result looks redundant with 'that'

HSPA wrote:what is the source

kaplan800

Yes, this is a confusing one.

So the Kaplan 800 explains : as a result should be closest to 'sales figures' as it is because of the 'sales figures' that the govt. has .....

Hence A is preferred over B & E as they misplace the modifier.

Though I personally believe the meaning is pretty clear with B as well.

Confusing!!

Experts please help.

Thanks.

E would have double "that's" and there are verb issues with C and D, so we're left with A and B.

the only difference is that A more clearly ties "depressed" to the sales figures dropping. B almost makes it sound like that sales figures are "depressed" i.e. unhappy!

I'm not sure if this is really GMAT-equivalent, but it came down to meaning for me, here.

VivianKerr wrote:E would have double "that's" (Even option A is having double that's) and there are verb issues with C and D, so we're left with A and B.

the only difference is that A more clearly ties "depressed" to the sales figures dropping. B almost makes it sound like that sales figures are "depressed" i.e. unhappy!

I'm not sure if this is really GMAT-equivalent, but it came down to meaning for me, here.

Still can't able to make out what made option E incorrect. Kindly explain.
Thanks

Not convinced if we have strong reasons to choose A or B over the other. Please help.

Thanks.

E is incorrect because it changes the meaning. The original tells us that the economy caused the poor sales figures. E tells us that the government took action as a result of the poor sales figures.

A amd B are tricky, but I prefer putting "as a result" closer to "sales figures" than to "depressed".

semi colon is used for independent clauses.
Also, when using transitional phrases or conjunctive adverbs.
examples -
I wanted to write;however, I was too lazy. Conjunctive.
I wanted to sing;as a result,I decided to join a class. transitional phrase.

B,E miss this rule.Hence POE.C and D have verb problems.

A is crystal.