SC: The first oversight board’s philosophy

Expert replies

TheGraduate: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 79; Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:08 am; Thanked: 1 times

by TheGraduate » Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:00 pm

Which of the following are correct? (There could be multiple correct options)

The first oversight board’s philosophy and its actions, including rulings on complaints and the release of procedural guidelines, have been as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board’s tenure.

The first oversight board’s philosophy and its actions, including rulings on complaints and the release of procedural guidelines, are as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board’s tenure.

The first oversight board’s philosophy and its actions, including rulings on complaints and the release of procedural guidelines, are as influential on the industry now as they had been revolutionary during the board’s tenure.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:00 pm

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:38 am

The intention here is to compare a PRESENT state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions ARE influential now) to a PAST state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions WERE revolutionary during the board's tenure).

Only the second option correctly compares a simple present state-of-being with a simple past state-of-being:
The first oversight board’s philosophy and its actions...are as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board’s tenure.

There is no justification for usage of the present perfect (have been) in the first option or the usage of the past perfect (had been) in the third option.

Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

Sun Light: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 51; Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2015 7:53 am; Thanked: 4 times

by Sun Light » Thu Jan 05, 2017 11:01 pm

GMATGuruNY wrote:The intention here is to compare a PRESENT state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions ARE influential now) to a PAST state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions WERE revolutionary during the board's tenure).
Ok
Only the second option correctly compares a simple present state-of-being with a simple past state-of-being:
The first oversight board’s philosophy and its actions...are as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board’s tenure.

There is no justification for usage of the present perfect (have been) in the first option or the usage of the past perfect (had been) in the third option.

Is the word "Now" an indicator of the timing? And therefore we are using present tense?

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:46 am

Sun Light wrote:Is the word "Now" an indicator of the timing? And therefore we are using present tense?

Correct.
The modifiers now and during the board's tenure make it crystal clear that a PRESENT state-of-being is being compared to a PAST state-of-being.

Featured schoolRound 2 closes Jan 7, 2027 68 days left

Chicago Booth

Since 1982, 10 Booth faculty members have received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, more than any other business school.

#3
U.S. News rank: $175,000
Median base salary: 670
Average GMAT Focus: 635
Students in the class

Apply to Booth Visit chicagobooth.edu See the full profile

Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review