In this sentence improvement question, you must choose the option that best improves the bracketed part of the sentence. The original sentence is: The management would prefer (you finishing) the project on time. Select the alternative that makes the sentence grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate.

Introduction / Context:
This question evaluates your understanding of verb patterns after certain verbs, especially prefer. When we talk about what someone would prefer another person to do, English uses specific structures such as would prefer that plus subject plus base verb. The sentence given describes what the management wants a subordinate or team member to do in relation to a project. Your task is to replace the bracketed portion with a grammatically correct phrase that fits naturally after would prefer.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The original sentence is The management would prefer you finishing the project on time.
• The bracketed part you finishing needs improvement.
• The options are that you finish, you had finished, that you could finish, and no improvement.
• The tense context suggests a general preference about an action that is still expected to happen on time.
• The subject expressing the preference is the management, which can be treated as a singular collective entity.

Concept / Approach:
The verb prefer can be followed by different patterns, but in formal English, would prefer that plus subject plus bare infinitive is common: would prefer that you finish. The structure you finishing uses a gerund and is less natural in this context, and usually we would say would prefer your finishing if we wanted to use a gerund at all. The past perfect form you had finished suggests that the action is already over, which does not match the idea of a future or ongoing expectation. that you could finish sounds tentative and weak. Therefore, the best pattern is would prefer that you finish the project on time.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Observe that The management would prefer expresses a desire or choice regarding a future or planned action. Step 2: Check the existing bracketed phrase you finishing. In formal English, if we use a gerund, we usually need a possessive before it, as in would prefer your finishing, and even then the construction is less common in this context. Step 3: Consider option that you finish. This matches the pattern would prefer that plus subject plus bare infinitive, which is idiomatic and clear. Step 4: Consider option you had finished. The past perfect tense implies that the action has been completed before some earlier point, which does not reflect a present preference about a future completion. Step 5: Consider option that you could finish. This suggests ability or possibility rather than a straightforward preference about timeliness, making the sentence weaker and less direct. Step 6: Compare all options and select that you finish as the one that produces The management would prefer that you finish the project on time, which is grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can also test the sentence by converting it to a more neutral pattern. For example, The management wants you to finish the project on time has the same meaning. Replacing wants with would prefer and to finish with that you finish preserves the sense and structure. However, using you had finished in that position changes the time reference and makes the sentence illogical, because the management would not express a preference about something that is already completed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
you had finished suggests completed action in the past and is inconsistent with the forward looking desire implied by would prefer.
that you could finish introduces a modal of ability, making the sentence sound as if the management doubts your capability rather than simply stating a preference about timely completion.
no improvement is incorrect because the original you finishing is not the most natural or standard form; it should be revised.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often accept the original form in sentence improvement questions because it seems understandable, but they overlook subtler aspects of formal grammar and style. Another common mistake is choosing a grammatically possible form that does not fit the time reference or weakens the statement unnecessarily. Knowing typical verb patterns, such as would prefer that plus subject plus base verb, helps in quickly identifying the best option under exam pressure.

Final Answer:
The correct and most natural improvement is The management would prefer that you finish the project on time, so the right choice is that you finish.