1. Although a surge in retail sales have raised hopes that there is a recovery finally underway, many economists say that without a large amount of spending the recovery might not last.
(A) have raised hopes that there is a recovery finally
(B) raised hopes for there being a recovery finally
(C) had raised hopes for a recovery finally being
(D) has raised hopes that a recovery is finally
(E) raised hopes for a recovery finally
Agreement + Rhetorical construction
The subject of the first clause, the singular noun surge, must take the singular verb has raised rather than the plural have raised; the context of the sentence demonstrates that the verb tense must show action continuing into the present, as the use of the present perfect does here. There is may frequently be omitted to create a more concise sentence, and that is the case here: a recovery is finally… is a better construction.
A Subject and verb do not agree; there is is wordy
B Raised is the wrong verb tense; for there being is awkward and wordyC Had raised is the wrong verb tense; for…being is awkward and wordy
D Correct. In this sentence, the subject and verb agree, and the verb is in the appropriate tense; a recovery is finally is clear and concise.
E Raised, indicating completed action, is the wrong verb tense; for a recovery finally is awkward and ungrammatical
The correct answer is D |