Sentence Correction

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy's strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy's continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

plz explain

Considering the underlined sentence extends till will. IMO, the answer is C.

B. predicted would not force command subjunctive. "predicted that the target be" is wrong.
E. predicted- past tense and will not come together.

Overall, I feel that economy's strength is wrong construction. Instead, it should read as strength of economy. Hence, A, B, D, E are wrong as all these options use this form of construction.

"Since February" is a keyword here because it tells us that we're dealing with a present perfect time frame.

• Incorrect: Since February, analysts predicted...

• Correct: Since February, analysts have been predicting...

This leaves us with A or D.

The significant split between A/D is

• A: Analysts have been predicting that the target will be raised (in the future)

• D: Analysts have been predicting that the target be raised (in the future)

A is better. A prediction is being made in the present (present perfect actually); the action predicted should be expressed in the future.
A is correct.

Look for topic="verb Tense" and difficulty="600-700" to find similar questions in the drill generator. A much more detailed discussion can also be seen at GMATPrep question 2045

Good luck,
-Patrick

thanks patrik answer is A . thanks for your explanations

pradeepkaushal9518 wrote:thanks patrik answer is A . thanks for your explanations

Hey Pradeep. I'm just trying to be like you. Most active, 1st responder... you know, a star.

You're welcome.