BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Sentence Correction-Subject Verb Agreement

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 5:43 am

Sentence Correction-Subject Verb Agreement

by AkiB » Fri Jun 27, 2014 12:21 pm
Thomas Eakins' powerful style and his choices of subject--the advances in modern surgery, the discipline of sport, the strains of individuals in tension with society or even with themselves--was as disturbing to his
own time as it is compelling for ours.

(A) was as disturbing to his own time as it is
(B) were as disturbing to his own time as they are
(C) has been as disturbing in his own time as they are
(D) had been as disturbing in his own time as it was
(E) have been as disturbing in his own time as

OA B

Can Someone please help me with this problem.
Thanks
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:52 pm
Hi AkiB,

The key to this SC is the noun "CHOICES"; as a plural noun, it will affect both the verb and pronoun that follow it.

1) Pronouns: Since "choices" is plural, the pronoun "they" is a match (and is required for Parallelism). Eliminate A, D and E.

2) Verbs: With the remaining 2 answers, we have to schoose between "were" and "has been." Again, "choices" is plural; the verb "were" is a match. Eliminate C.

Final Answer: B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 5:43 am

by AkiB » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:56 pm
Thanks a lot Rich :) Your Explanation makes things clear.
Top
User avatar
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

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:15 pm
Thomas Eakins' powerful style and his choices of subject--the advances in modern surgery, the discipline of sport, the strains of individuals in tension with society or even with themselves--was as disturbing to his own time as it is compelling for ours.

(A) was as disturbing to his own time as it is
(B) were as disturbing to his own time as they are
(C) has been as disturbing in his own time as they are
(D) had been as disturbing in his own time as it was
(E) have been as disturbing in his own time as
A COMPOUND subject is composed of two nouns connected by and:
X and Y.
Generally, a compound subject requires a PLURAL verb.
Here, the subject of the sentence is Thomas Eakins' powerful style AND his choices of subject.
Since the subject is compound, the verbs must be plural.
This would be the case even if choices were replaced with choice.

In A and C, was (singular) and has (singular) do not agree with Thomas Eakins' powerful style and his choices (plural). Eliminate A and C.

In D, it (singular) does not agree with Thomas Eakins' powerful style and his choices (plural). Eliminate D.

In E, his own time implies a definite time in the past. Thus, have been (present perfect) is incorrect. The regular past tense is needed: Thomas Eakins' powerful style and his choices...WERE as disturbing to HIS OWN TIME. Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.
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
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 223
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:22 am
Thanked: 12 times
Followed by:8 members

by AnjaliOberoi » Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:04 am
(A) was as disturbing to his own time as it is
(B) were as disturbing to his own time as they are - correct
(C) has been as disturbing in his own time as they are
(D) had been as disturbing in his own time as it was
(E) have been as disturbing in his own time as
Top
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 1:09 pm

by maruthisandeep » Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:18 am
What was/were disturbing?? Powerful style and Choices of subject. So we need a plural verb. So choices A,C and D are eliminated. In choice E there is no reference what is compelling for ours.


So the answer is B.
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1