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The results.... (verb tenses)

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by 123nobody321 » Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:44 pm
Hi forum,

I have some troubles with this question

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.

1)
2) which had increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it had fallen
3) which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling
4) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after falling
5) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after having fallen

So, I assumed that the increase of 5 percent happened after it fell for the last 2 years, right? That would mean that I need a past perfect for the fall during the last 2 years and a simple past for the increase of 5 percent, right?

Then why is the correct answer 3)??
In 3), "have increased" is present perfect (why!?) and "falling" seems to be present progressive (which you only use to indicate a current action). Both verbs do not make any sense to me.

Can somebody please help?


Best,
nobody
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by Java_85 » Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:05 pm
It does not says that the 5% during the first 3 months is not going on now so we can use present perfect for it.
About falling, it's not a verb here to have a present progressive tense.

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by ganeshrkamath » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:27 pm
123nobody321 wrote:Hi forum,

I have some troubles with this question

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.

1)
2) which had increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it had fallen
3) which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling
4) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after falling
5) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after having fallen

So, I assumed that the increase of 5 percent happened after it fell for the last 2 years, right? That would mean that I need a past perfect for the fall during the last 2 years and a simple past for the increase of 5 percent, right?

Then why is the correct answer 3)??
In 3), "have increased" is present perfect (why!?) and "falling" seems to be present progressive (which you only use to indicate a current action). Both verbs do not make any sense to me.

Can somebody please help?


Best,
nobody
Here's my reasoning:
In (1) and (2), usage of "it" is wrong. It should have been "they".
Eliminate (1) and (2).
In (4) and (5), "with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year" is the evidence that the first part talks about. "falling" or "having fallen" does not make sense here.
Eliminate (4) and (5).
Choose [spoiler](3)[/spoiler]

I think, in this case, we have to choose the best possible option.

Cheers
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by vinay1983 » Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:47 am
123nobody321 wrote:Hi forum,

I have some troubles with this question

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.

1)
2) which had increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it had fallen
3) which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling
4) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after falling
5) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after having fallen

So, I assumed that the increase of 5 percent happened after it fell for the last 2 years, right? That would mean that I need a past perfect for the fall during the last 2 years and a simple past for the increase of 5 percent, right?

Then why is the correct answer 3)??
In 3), "have increased" is present perfect (why!?) and "falling" seems to be present progressive (which you only use to indicate a current action). Both verbs do not make any sense to me.

Can somebody please help?


Best,
nobody
My reasoning is as below:
Company's profit increased by 5% now, after falling over last 2 years. Means the profit had fallen over the last 2 years, and now the profit has increased by 5 %.

Let us see any splits present,

Yes there is a split 3/2 between which and with

With is a wrong usage, since we are referring to profits here and which is the crux of the sentence.

A B C

Profits is plural so it takes plural reference, and had implies past tense, while the profit is in present situation.

Hence C or 3
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by GMATGuruNY » Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:56 am
Check my post here:

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