TomB wrote:
As measured by the Commerce Department, corporate profits peaked in the fourth quarter of 1988 [url]and have slipped since then, as many companies have been unable to pass on higher costs[/url]
A) and have slipped since then, as many companies have been unable to pass on higher costs
(B) and have slipped since then, the reason being because many companies have been unable to pass on higher costs
(C) and slipped since then, many companies being unable to pass on higher costs
(D) but, many companies unable to pass on higher costs, they have slipped since then
(E) yet are slipping since then, because many companies were unable to pass on higher costs
I saw this question in many forums, everybody is saying that option A is the answer . The phrases "peaked" and " have sllipped" are not in parallel farm,then it coouldn't be the answer. Among the options the sentences with the usage of "being" is better than the sentences with wrong parallel construction. so , the answer could be option C. please correct me if my reasoning is wrong.
None of the options make any sense other than A. Besides, 'peaked' indicates that the action is over and 'have slipped' indicates that the action is ongoing, as indicated by the above poster.
On a side-note, please underline your questions. It will help others in viewing the questions and consequently you will get more replies.