Sentence Correction

Bufo marinus toads, fierce predators that will eat frogs, lizards, and even small birds, are native to South America but were introduced into Florida during
the 1930's in an attempt to control pests in the state's vast sugarcane fields.
A )are native to South America but were introduced into Florida during the 1930's in an attempt to control
B) are native in South America but were introduced into Florida during the 1930's as attempts to control
C) are natives of South America but were introduced into Florida during the 1930's in an attempt at controlling
D )had been native to South America but were introduced to Florida during the 1930's as an attempt at controlling
E )had been natives of South America but were introduced to Florida during the 1930's as attempts at controlling


what's the problem with D?

vishalwin wrote:what's the problem with D?

On the GMAT, attempt at + VERBing is considered unidiomatic.
The preferred idiom is attempt to + VERB.
Incorrect: an attempt at controlling.
Correct: an attempt to control.