The results of the company's cost-cutting measures are evident in its profits, which increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it fell over the last two years.
A. which increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it fell
B. which had increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it had fallen
C. which have increased five percent during the first three months of this year after falling
D. with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after falling
E. with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after
having fallen
[spoiler]OA: C[/spoiler]
Can someone provide more information on the usage of "falling" in this context? Why use the present progressive tense? Is it a background action, or is it modifying something? I can't seem to wrap my brain around the usage of the tense here.
A. which increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it fell
B. which had increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it had fallen
C. which have increased five percent during the first three months of this year after falling
D. with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after falling
E. with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after
having fallen
[spoiler]OA: C[/spoiler]
Can someone provide more information on the usage of "falling" in this context? Why use the present progressive tense? Is it a background action, or is it modifying something? I can't seem to wrap my brain around the usage of the tense here.
