Economy's Continued Strength

[tallynik]

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.
A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

Please help understand your choice.

[scoobydooby]

IMO D

A. since february analysts have been predicting that the target will be raised. the predicting has been going on since feb and continues even now. target will be raised is used correctly as simple future tense. Because of the economy's continued strength is not proper usage

B. predicted is past tense. analysts have been predicting since february

C. predicted is past tense. analysts have been predicting since february

D. correct, analysts have been predicting is correct. Due to is proper usage

E. predicted is past tense. analysts have been predicting since february

Usage of Due to and Because of
'due to' needs to be followed by a noun (or noun phrase).
e.g. Due to the late arrival of the train, I missed my interview

'because' is a conjunction joining a clause expressing reason to the main clause in a sentence. So, it is followed by a verb with its own subject.
e.g. I missed my interview because the train arrived late

[tallynik]

IMO D

A. since february analysts have been predicting that the target will be raised. the predicting has been going on since feb and continues even now. target will be raised is used correctly as simple future tense. Because of the economy's continued strength is not proper usage

B. predicted is past tense. analysts have been predicting since february

C. predicted is past tense. analysts have been predicting since february

D. correct, analysts have been predicting is correct. Due to is proper usage

E. predicted is past tense. analysts have been predicting since february

Usage of Due to and Because of
'due to' needs to be followed by a noun (or noun phrase).
e.g. Due to the late arrival of the train, I missed my interview

'because' is a conjunction joining a clause expressing reason to the main clause in a sentence. So, it is followed by a verb with its own subject.
e.g. I missed my interview because the train arrived late

First of all of thanks for explaining the difference between usage of due to and because.
I was also inclined to choose "due to" over because however choice D does not have a "will" at the end. Hence I chose A(lesser of two evils).

[scoobydooby]

sorry tallynik, you are correct. A sounds much better with the will at the end. i somehow missed it. thanks so much

[sckvck]

I like A too the non inclusion of will raise makes D wrong.....


Since February,the Fedral Reserve has raised its short-term intrest rate target five times, and due to the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target be raised again in November???
That does not sound right!

[iamcste]

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.
A. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

Please help understand your choice.

Best way is to substitute "Caused by" for "Due to" and check..If it makes sense, usage of "Due to" is apt...Courtesy "Beat the GMAT verbal notes-I guess Sumit)

Applying this, D and E make no sense

B and C use past tense "predicted" while tense require is present perfect...

IN C "economy continues strong" is awkward and non-idiomatic. "Continue to " is correct usage

Usage of "with" for cause and effect relation ship is not apt.

Choose A albeit A could be better if it were framed " have predicted"

[Carloblacksun]

IMHO it's D

I explain...BECAUSE and DUE TO are alternatively used, and this is not a mistake, but the real mistake in A is the use of WILL BE instead of the simple BE...in this sentence you should use the SUBJUNCTIVE...

analysts have been predicted that the target BE raised...

verbs like, predict, suggest, and so on, if I remember well, should support a subjunctive...

Hallo Experts, any advise???

[niraj_a]

@iamcste

in D, why does 'caused by the economy's continued strength' sound odd to you?

i chose A too because of the 'will' but wanted to know your thoughts on ths above after reading your comments.

[e-GMAT]

IMHO it's D

I explain...BECAUSE and DUE TO are alternatively used, and this is not a mistake, but the real mistake in A is the use of WILL BE instead of the simple BE...in this sentence you should use the SUBJUNCTIVE...

analysts have been predicted that the target BE raised...

verbs like, predict, suggest, and so on, if I remember well, should support a subjunctive...

Hallo Experts, any advise???

Hi All,

"Predict" is not the verb that requires use of subjunctive.



Choice A: because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will: Correct as is.

Choice B: with the economy's strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target: Incorrect because analysts have started predicting from February for a future period.

Choice C: because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would: Incorrect. 1. Sane verb tense error as in Choice B. 2. "continues strong" is incorrect because "strong" is an adjective and cannot refer to verb "continues".

Choice D: due to the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target: Incorrect: 1. Use of "due to" is not correct. When we replace "due to" with "caused by", it does not give out very logical meaning. 2. We need "will" after target because "predict" does not require subjunctive.

Choice E: due to the fact of the economy's continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will: Incorrect. 1. Use of "due to the fact of" is not correct. 2. This choice has the same verb tense error as in Choice B.

Hope this helps
Thanks.
Shraddha

[vietmoi999]

in B, "predicted" is correct. "did" can be used for action happening in a period in past

the only error in b is "be "