OG 13

13. State officials report that soaring rates of liability insurance have risen to force cutbacks in the opera­tions of everything from local governments and school districts to day-care centers and recreational facilities.

(A)  rates of liability insurance have risen to force

(B)   rates of liability insurance are a force for

(C)  rates for liability insurance are forcing

(D)  rises in liability insurance rates are forcing

         (E) liability insurance rates have risen to force

答案C,  解释：

In choices A and B, rates of is incorrect; when rates means "prices charged," it should be followed by for. Also in B, are a force for does not accurately convey the meaning that the soaring rates are actually forcing cutbacks in the present. In A and E, it is redundant to say that soaring rates have risen. Similarly, the word rises makes D redundant. C, the best choice, is idiomatic and concise, and it correctly uses the progressive verb form are forcing to indicate an ongoing situation.

我的问题是：如果B选项改为 rates for liability insurance are a force for 是否正确？ 如果不正确是否是因为“动词优于名词”的原则？

在讨论连接贴里没查到有问这个问题的，还请NN解答，谢谢指点！

Your suggestion of B. - rates for liability insurance are a force for - is still not as good as C. OG explains 'are a force for' is B's weakness.

   "are a force for"  infers there are many Other forces, "soaring rates" are just one of the Many forces.

  "are forcing" infers "soaring rates" have a direct impact on insurance liabilities. The speaker doesn't care about any other force.

  Read between the lines and feel the subtle difference in language.