Auto company profits

The solution below is taken from the GMATFix App. My signature below has more info.



-Patrick

EricKryk wrote:The auto company attributed its recent increase in profits to both its introduction of new models in North America that are less expensive in their manufacture and to success in making its factories more efficient.

(A) to both its introduction of new models in North America that are less expensive in their manufacture and to success in

(B) to both its introduction of new models in North America that are less expensive in manufacturing and success in its

(C) to both its introducing new models in North America that are less expensive in manufacturing and to success in

(D) both to its introduction of new models in North America that are less expensive to manufacture and to success in

(E) both to its introducing new models in North America that are less expensive in their manufacturing and to success in its

Hi Eric!

Recognizing common GMAT idioms can help you cut to the heart of a SC question and ignore all the "fluff" that the GMAT includes to distract you.

There are two important idioms to recognize in this argument.

First, we "attribute to". However, since every answer has "to", we don't need to worry about that one. Always scan the choices to see what issues are actually relevant!

Second, "both to A and to B". On this question that idiom is relevant, since it quickly eliminates (a) "TO both A and TO B" and (c) "TO both A and TO B".

Note that "To both A and B" is also acceptable, but you can't mix and match where to put the "TO" (i.e. it either goes at the beginning of the list so it modifies both parts or in front of each part).

(b) is gone due to wordiness: "that are less expensive IN manufacturing" is just awkward; (e) has the same wording and its "to its introducing new models" is even worse.

Only (d) is left: choose (d)!