G.W.C. dedicated his life to [u]the economic strengthening..

[elisabetta.portioli]

From GMAT prep software:
G.W.C. dedicated his life to the economic strengthening of the south with improvement of soil and diversification of crops (...).

My choice: the strengthening of the economy of the south through improving soil and crop diversifying.

Correct answer choice: strengthening the economy of the south through soil improvement and crop diversification.

Regardless "through improving soil and crop diversifying", which I understand why is wrong. I'm clueless on why "strengthening the economy" is preferred over "the strengthening of the economy".
Also, on the grammar point of view since I'm not a native speaker, can someone, please, explain me better the construction VERB TO ING-VERB? Generally speaking, don't you need an INFINITIVE FORM after the preposition TO?
(G.W.C. dedicated his life to strengthening the economy of the south through soil improvement and crop diversification).

Thanks!

[RonPurewal]

Hi,
Please read the forum rules.

* You must post the entire text of the question.

* You must post all answer choices, even if you are only asking about one or two of them.

Thanks.

[elisabetta.portioli]

From GMAT prep software:
G.W.C. dedicated his life to [u]the economic strengthening of the south with improvement of soil and diversification of crops.

My choice: the strengthening of the economy of the south through improving soil and crop diversifying.

Correct answer choice: strengthening the economy of the south through soil improvement and crop diversification.

Regardless "through improving soil and crop diversifying", which I understand why is wrong. I'm clueless on why "strengthening the economy" is preferred over "the strengthening of the economy".
Also, on the grammar point of view since I'm not a native speaker, can someone, please, explain me better the construction VERB TO ING-VERB? Generally speaking, don't you need an INFINITIVE FORM after the preposition TO?
(G.W.C. dedicated his life to strengthening the economy of the south through soil improvement and crop diversification).

Thanks!

1.the economic strengthening of the south with improvement of soil and diversification crops.

2.strengthening the economy in the south with soil improvement and the diversification of crops.

3.strengthening the economy of the south through soil improvement and the diversification of crops.

4.the strengthening of the economy of the south through improving soil and crop diversifying.

5.the economic strengthening in the south with improving soil and diversifying crops.

THANK YOU.

[RonPurewal]

Regardless "through improving soil and crop diversifying", which I understand why is wrong.

That's the only part of choice D that is actually wrong.

I'm clueless on why "strengthening the economy" is preferred over "the strengthening of the economy".

It's not, really. Either of them could work. That's why you don't have to choose between them.

[RonPurewal]

------ YOU WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY NEVER BE TESTED ON ANYTHING IN THIS POST -------

There is a difference between those constructions. In this sort of context:
* "... to __ing" means that the person actually does the __ing himself/herself.
* "... to the __ing" (or noun form, if it exists -- __ion, __ation, __age, or whatever) means that the person is somehow (indirectly) involved, but doesn't necessary do the __ing himself/herself.

for instance:
Rachel has dedicated her life to educating impoverished children.
--> Rachel actually teaches impoverished children herself.

Rachel has dedicated her life to the education of impoverished children.
--> Rachel doesn't necessarily teach impoverished children herself, but she supports that cause. Perhaps she donates lots of money to organizations that provide education.

In the sentence here, either of the two meanings could make sense, because no information is given about exactly how Carver was involved.
More importantly, even if you get a problem on which you can distinguish between these two, there will undoubtedly be something else -- probably something much more straightforward -- that you can use instead. There's no way this kind of thing would be the only difference between two answer choices.