Help on OG question

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Help on OG question

by aaggar7 » Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:57 pm
The results of the company's cost-cutting measures are evident in its profits, which increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it fell over the last two years.

(A) which increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it fell

(B) which had increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it had fallen

(C) which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling

(D) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after falling

(E) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after having fallen

Option A seems to be the correct answer as both "increased" and "fell" are in simple past tense.It would be redundant to use perfect tenses as the time period (3 months and last two years) mentioned is sufficient for describing the sequence of events
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by umesh singh » Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:11 pm
which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling

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by Lifetron » Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:25 pm
D and E - Doesn't talk about 'what increased' ?
B - perfect tense is wrong with definite time periods
A - Very tempting. Many may choose this. They miss the Pronoun Error here, since the 'it' is far away from the subject. A uses 'it' to refer to plural 'Profits'.

A - profits, which increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it fell over the last two years.

Hence C !

I made this mistake ! Missed that 'it' !

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