Sentence Correction

Although once dismissed as the "poor relations" of investment banking, the high-yield bond departments at the major Wall Street firms were the first among the innovators of the 1980s, recognizing the need of additional capital in the marketplace, and to discover a way to provide that capital.

A. the first among the innovators of the 1980s, recognizing the need of
B. first among the innovators of the 1980s, recognizing the need for
C. the first among the innovators of the 1980s, to recognize the need of
D. among the first of the innovators of the 1980s to recognize the need for
E. among the first innovators of the 1980s, recognizing the need of

Source: Princeton Review

OA: E

While I understand that the use of 'need for' is most appropriate, can someone please help me understand why B is not correct ?

It should be "were among the first"

By the way the options seem fishy!

But we can seek help of the experts here.

The official answer is D and not E .
Here is another link - https://www.beatthegmat.com/princeton-re ... 63110.html

To the original poster : Request you to post correct answers along with the question, for the benefit of everyone using the forum .

Thanks

I do not understand why D is not correct.
Answer E lacks parallelism in my opinion.
Can anyone help please?

gmacforjyoab wrote:The official answer is D and not E .
Here is another link - https://www.beatthegmat.com/princeton-re ... 63110.html

To the original poster : Request you to post correct answers along with the question, for the benefit of everyone using the forum .

Thanks

Thanks! I went for D and felt grumpy at the sight of E being the OA.