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Question on basic grammer : SC

Expert replies
by ani781 » Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:39 pm
In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.

A) In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
B) In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million.
C) When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million.
D) Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.
E) Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.


I want to know in option A, why isn't there any apostrophe , I mean why isn't it "the United States' trade deficit ...".... very basic question perhaps.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by vinay1983 » Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:13 am
I think here we are referring to the country that has a trade deficit, rather than showing possession inside the country.

states' might imply that the economy is inside the states.Hope I could help.

Check this out. https://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe

It's (not its' or its) not a bad idea to ask such questions, but was unexpected at least to me.

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by ani781 » Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:26 am
Well that's alright ... "The US trade deficit with Mexico" - sounds even better.
But we never hear something like - "India trade deficit with Mexico"... I am sure it's got to be "India's trade deficit with Mexico" .. isn't it ?
Any idea anyone , what is guiding the apostrophe rule here ?
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by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:59 am
ani781 wrote:Well that's alright ... "The US trade deficit with Mexico" - sounds even better.
But we never hear something like - "India trade deficit with Mexico"... I am sure it's got to be "India's trade deficit with Mexico" .. isn't it ?
Any idea anyone , what is guiding the apostrophe rule here ?
The reason I believe is that:

Case 1: The executive's decisions were not effective ---> We are talking about "Executive", singular

Case 2: The executives' decisions were not effective ---> We are talking about "Executives", plural..

Now, if we write "United States' trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million" ---> it gives false meaning... As United States is Singular..

Maybe it's an exception to apostrophe rule...
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by ani781 » Sat Sep 21, 2013 5:31 pm
Rahul, that is really a very neat observation. Thanks for chipping in.
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by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:33 pm
ani781 wrote:Rahul, that is really a very neat observation. Thanks for chipping in.
You are welcome...
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