For construction - " X is one of the Ys (plural) that are/is"
We need plural verb or singular verb in this construction?
Number rule
This topic has expert replies
-
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:19 am
-
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:27 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Thanked: 17 times
- karthikgmat
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:35 am
- Thanked: 3 times
- Followed by:1 members
- GMAT Score:610
-
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:27 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Thanked: 17 times
"One" is one of those special indefinite pronouns for which you must examine the object of the the preposition (the "of construction") to determine the whether to use a singular or plural verb.karthikgmat wrote:I think X is the subject " X is one" so singular should be used here.
Here "Y" is plural and hence that "are" is the right construction.
- LalaB
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:00 am
- Thanked: 56 times
- Followed by:7 members
- GMAT Score:690
1. One of the X's that/who <plural>
2. One of the X's <singular>
3. Only one of the X's <singular>
4. Only one of the X's that/who <plural>
5. The only one of the X's that/who <singular>
please refer to the following link to get more info -
https://www.beatthegmat.com/papgust-s-gm ... 50-45.html
hope it helps
2. One of the X's <singular>
3. Only one of the X's <singular>
4. Only one of the X's that/who <plural>
5. The only one of the X's that/who <singular>
please refer to the following link to get more info -
https://www.beatthegmat.com/papgust-s-gm ... 50-45.html
hope it helps
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
Focus on the MEANING.
John is THE ONLY ONE of the members WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, John is THE ONLY ONE planning to attend.
No other members are planning to attend.
In other words:
Of the members, John is THE ONLY ONE WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Since John is THE ONLY ONE, IS PLANNING is correct.
John is only one of THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, other members ARE PLANNING to attend.
John is ONLY ONE of these members.
In other words:
Of the MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND, John is only one.
Since John is not THE only one -- other members ARE PLANNING to attend -- a plural verb is needed here.
John is THE ONLY ONE of the members WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, John is THE ONLY ONE planning to attend.
No other members are planning to attend.
In other words:
Of the members, John is THE ONLY ONE WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Since John is THE ONLY ONE, IS PLANNING is correct.
John is only one of THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, other members ARE PLANNING to attend.
John is ONLY ONE of these members.
In other words:
Of the MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND, John is only one.
Since John is not THE only one -- other members ARE PLANNING to attend -- a plural verb is needed here.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3