A. if only because average salaries for women are still considerably lower than it is
B. if only because average salaries for women are still considerably lower than those
C. because average salaries for women are only considerably lower than those
D. if only as a result of the fact that salaries for women are still considerably lower than those
E. if only because women's average salaries are still considerably lower than it is

A - "it" cannot refer to average salaries
C- changes the meaning by not using "still"
D - Construction is not proper.
E - Same as "A"

I will go with B - "those" in B is appropriate

average salaries of women are compared with salaries(those) of men.

B completes the comparison effectively and is concise.


A and E - agreement error
D --wordy
C---"only considerably"..using these words together doesn't really make sense...these words seem to contradict each other


B

OA is B

B it is...

One of the reason is parallelism between for women and for men.

Can anyone explain the "if only because" construction?

karthikpandian19 wrote:Can anyone explain the "if only because" construction?

Let me try to answer your question:

Used to mean "if u cannot see some cogent reasons" at least u should be aware of this....; A trivial reason why something took place.
However, "BECAUSE" gives the main reason why something is done.
"She swims regularly because she wants to reduce her weight"..

"She swims regularly if only because she wants to reduce her weight"....their are other impt reasons she is swimming. "weight reduction" was used probably to downplay the major reason.
She needs a job if only because she needs to go somewhere everyday. (a minor, trivial reason)

To the original question:(correct version used)
Proponents of the Equal Rights Amendment argue for its necessity if only because average salaries for women are still considerably lower than those for men with comparable jobs and work experience.

My understanding is that the proponents have some major reasons (not revealed) but only used the grounds for disparity in salaries to advance their case.

Hi Karthiks, was my contribution helpful?

If only because - means tht "atleast for this " right?

"She swims regularly because she wants to reduce her weight".. Main reason to reduce her weight

"She swims regularly if only because she wants to reduce her weight"..one of the reason was to reduce weight and it is the least reason. Atleast for this .


Is my understanding right?

gmatdriller wrote:

karthikpandian19 wrote:Can anyone explain the "if only because" construction?

Let me try to answer your question:

Used to mean "if u cannot see some cogent reasons" at least u should be aware of this....; A trivial reason why something took place.
However, "BECAUSE" gives the main reason why something is done.
"She swims regularly because she wants to reduce her weight"..

"She swims regularly if only because she wants to reduce her weight"....their are other impt reasons she is swimming. "weight reduction" was used probably to downplay the major reason.
She needs a job if only because she needs to go somewhere everyday. (a minor, trivial reason)

To the original question:(correct version used)
Proponents of the Equal Rights Amendment argue for its necessity if only because average salaries for women are still considerably lower than those for men with comparable jobs and work experience.

My understanding is that the proponents have some major reasons (not revealed) but only used the grounds for disparity in salaries to advance their case.

Hi Karthiks, was my contribution helpful?