Sentence Correction

Hi,

This q is from
Source: Manhattan GMAT prep - sc

The invention of the cotton gin, being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, had turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity even though it was expensive before that.


a. being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, had turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity even though it was expensive before that
b. having been one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity even though it had previously been expensive
c. one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity despite its previous expense
d. one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity despite the fact that it had previously been expensive
e. being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth from a previously expensive commodity to an affordable one


The answer is mentioned as D

Now, here's my question - in choice D - the mention of "despite its previous expense" - is that not redundant - if it is affordable now it should have been expensive before

do explain - and why is being in these choices considered wrong

thanks,

Here is my two cent answer and great tip by the way, “stay away from being” it is usually wrong. But I agree, “despite the fact” it sounds redundant but I guess it is the best of the worst…

hey, thnks for the explanation

yeah..i guess so..cuz wherever I've read its written avoid using 'being' in gmat land..
and also read d option, it does mention that previously expensive thing..

Stacey Koprince wrote:I passed this one along to our curriculum director and he agreed that the meaning of the sentence is a little... odd. (Grammatically, though, D is the correct answer among the given choices - the others all have errors.) He tweaked the wording a bit so that it wouldn't have this weird meaning issue.

And, yes, "being" is usually wrong on the test (though there are ways to use it correctly in the real world). I have exactly one report in the last 10 years of a correct answer that actually used "being" - and that wasn't even on the real test. It was on a GMATPrep practice test.

ETA: Thanks, Anuroopa, for pointing this out!

Hi Stacey, as i understood from Manhattan SC strategy guide the usage of previous, after, before with past perfect is incorrect and i see that as a problem with option D, how would you explain that?