A surge in new home sales

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A surge in new home sales

by SmarpanGamt » Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:07 pm
A surge in new home sales and a drop in weekly unemployment claims suggest that the economy might not be as weak as some analysts previously thought.


(A) claims suggest that the economy might not be as weak as some analysts previously thought
(B) claims suggests that the economy might not be so weak as some analysts have previously thought
(C) claims suggest that the economy might not be as weak as have been previously thought by some analysts
(D) claims, suggesting about the economy that it might not be so weak as previously thought by some analysts
(E) claims, suggesting the economy might not be as weak as previously thought to be by some analysts

Please Explain : In option A : Is the comparison of "Economy might not be as weak as some analyst ...." correct. If yes how should be "Economy might not be as weak as that of some analyst ". Thank you
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by vishalj » Tue Sep 28, 2010 1:00 pm
IMO A

Let me rewrite this stmt as "the economy might not be as weak as some analysts previously thought that the economy would be weak". Or something like it.

You want to use the relative pronoun if you have a clear and concise andecedent. For example, The color of sky is brighter than that of sea. "That" clearly associates with "The color". In you example, "that" is not clear. If it is " the economy", then the sentence will not make sense.

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by SmarpanGamt » Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:42 am
I suppose the point of comparision is " Economy" ; current economy as weak as that of predicted economy!


more explainations please

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by sandy217 » Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:17 am
SmarpanGamt wrote:A surge in new home sales and a drop in weekly unemployment claims suggest that the economy might not be as weak as some analysts previously thought.


(A) claims suggest that the economy might not be as weak as some analysts previously thought
(B) claims suggests that the economy might not be so weak as some analysts have previously thought
(C) claims suggest that the economy might not be as weak as have been previously thought by some analysts
(D) claims, suggesting about the economy that it might not be so weak as previously thought by some analysts
(E) claims, suggesting the economy might not be as weak as previously thought to be by some analysts

Please Explain : In option A : Is the comparison of "Economy might not be as weak as some analyst ...." correct. If yes how should be "Economy might not be as weak as that of some analyst ". Thank you
we need suggest as the subject is plural (A surge in new home sales and a drop in weekly unemployment claims)
B is out

use of "suggesting" makes no sense , D and E out ,

have previously thought is wrong tense. Past tense is required. C is out

A is better of all.
Economy might not be as weak as that of some analyst ...... "that of some analyst previously thought"? I dont think this is a valid comparison it suggests "economy of some analyst previously thought"
even if you exempt previously thought "Economy of some analyst " suggests that comparison is between economy and analyst economy.

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