Mo2men wrote:prakashchandra wrote:Many airline carriers are attempting to increase profitability while keeping overhead low by offering, in terms of flights,an equal amount as last year, doing so by using larger planes that fly more efficiently.
A. an equal amount as last year,doing so by
B. the same number offered last year
C. an equal amount offered last year and
D. the same number as last year but
E. an equal number as were offered last year,
I am confused where to use amount and when to use number?
Dear GMATGuru,
Could you shed light on solving this question please?
Are not 'amount' used for uncountable while the number is for countable? As we talk about 'flights', then 'amount' is incorrect, isn't it?
To refer to a noun that takes a SINGULAR verb, we use
amount.
To refer to a noun that takes a PLURAL verb, we use
number.
A and C:
in terms of flights, an equal amount
Here,
amount cannot serve to refer to
flights (a noun that takes a plural verb).
Eliminate A and C.
E:
an equal number as were offered
Here,
were offered lacks a plural subject.
Eliminate E.
B:
the same number offered last year using larger planes
Here, the phrase in red seems to modify the portion in blue, implying that carriers were USING larger planes LAST YEAR.
Not the intended meaning.
The intended meaning of the original sentence is that carriers are using larger planes THIS YEAR to increase profitability.
Eliminate B.
The correct answer is
D.
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