Sentence Correction

( In combination, the trend of demographics and economics indicate) that the regions of the United States will continue to become more disparate in their problems and needs.

a. In combination, the trend of demographics and economics indicate
b.The trend of demographics and economics combined indicates
c. Demographic trends, in combination witheconomics; indicate
d.Demographics and economic trends, in combination, indicate
e. Demographic trends combine with the economic to indicate

oa d whats wrong with b?

D

Hi mariah--

B is grammatically correct but the meaning is different. B is saying that it's one trend, that is a calculation of demographics and economics. The sentence actually means that there are two trends, and taken together, you can make the conclusion about the regions of the US. D is the only one with the same meaning as the originaly and correct grammar.

EssaySnark

A little confused between B and D. I chose B thinking that combined thing is restrictive and, therefore, can not be shut inside two commas.

Please help.

Thanks.

D it is!!

B is wrong because we are using a compound noun and the verb should be plural -
The trend of demographics and economics combined indicate that

gmatrant wrote:B is wrong because we are using a compound noun and the verb should be plural -
The trend of demographics and economics combined indicate that

Actually this is incorrect. The prepositional phrase has the plural - "of demographics and economics combined" - the subject of the sentence is "the trend" (singular) which means that the current verb of "indicates" is correct. You need to read it as "The trend... indicates" to test for this (take out the entire prepositional phrase to see if subject/verb match).

EssaySnark

Thanks EssaySnark... I guess I missed out on locating the right subject. You are right!.

In B saying "the trend of demographics and economics" is stating that there is one trend common to both demographics and economics that indicate blah blah blah....

But D puts it across as different trends - economic trends/demographic trends indicate that blah blah blah...

In terms of clarity of meaning D is better than B.

mariah wrote:( In combination, the trend of demographics and economics indicate) that the regions of the United States will continue to become more disparate in their problems and needs.

a. In combination, the trend of demographics and economics indicate
b.The trend of demographics and economics combined indicates
c. Demographic trends, in combination witheconomics; indicate
d.Demographics and economic trends, in combination, indicate
e. Demographic trends combine with the economic to indicate

oa d whats wrong with b?

Had a tough time eliminating option B. In-addition to what EssaySnark said I think option B is also written in passive voice? that thing makes this a weak option?

@EssaySnark -- can you please comment on this please?