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Difference between onyl one and the only one!!

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by gmat_perfect » Fri May 07, 2010 7:51 am
I have a doubt about the following pair:

The only one of the + Plural Noun + Singular Verb.

He is the only one of the boys who has done this.

But:

Only one of the factors that keep XX.

=> My question:

Do we need to memorize that "THE only one of the + Plural Noun +Singular Verb"

If we drop "THE", we are required to use plural verb.

Would any expert confirm this one?

Thanks.
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by josh@knewton » Fri May 07, 2010 8:28 am
In both of those examples, the verb should be plural.

He is the only one of the boys who has done this.

Only one of the boys has done this.

One is the subject of both sentences.

Hope this is helpful,
Josh
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by sumanr84 » Fri May 07, 2010 9:28 am
This is one of the most confusing topic and heavily discussed on BTG forum. I am putting the summary here to remember rather than follow a convoluted thread.
Only remember the below rules :-
1. One of the Xs that/who <plural> e.g. that's one of the birds that fly over my house at night.

2. One of the Xs <singular> e.g. one of the birds flies over the house; the other one flies past it.

3. only One of the Xs <singular> e.g. marina is only one of the girls who has ever been to india.

4. only One of the Xs that/who <plural> e.g. X is only one of the factors, albeit an important one, that keep the market from spinning out of control

5. "the" only One of the Xs that/who <singular> e.g. marina is the only one of the girls who has ever been to india.
e.g. X is the only one of the factors that keeps the market from spinning out of control
I am on a break !!
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by gmat_perfect » Fri May 07, 2010 10:11 am
josh@knewton wrote:In both of those examples, the verb should be plural.

He is the only one of the boys who has done this.

Only one of the boys has done this.

One is the subject of both sentences.

Hope this is helpful,
Josh
In case of only one, the structure is "only one of the + Plural Noun +Plural verb"
please see the example:

A higher interest rate is only one of the factors, albeit an important one, that keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.

a) that keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.
b) that keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did earlier in the decade
c) that keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did earlier in the decade
d) that keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like earlier in the decade
e) that keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade

=> Here, OA is B. This follows "only one of the factors that keep"

So, I am still in confusion.

Please explain.
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by josh@knewton » Fri May 07, 2010 1:22 pm
Apologies that I wasn't able to fully address your confusion, but after seeing the actual question I might be able to shed a little light.

The word that is a crucial one in this sentence. "That" begins an essential noun modifying phrase (essential noun modifiers provide us with necessary information about the modified noun; they are not set off by commas). An essential noun modifier must modify the noun directly preceding it; in this case, that noun is "factors." (The phrase "albeit an important one," should be disregarded, as it is itself a non-essential noun modifier--we know this because it is set off by commas.)

Therefore, since the clause is modifying "factors," the plural verb "keep" is correct.
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by loveusonu » Fri May 07, 2010 9:32 pm
gmat_perfect wrote:I have a doubt about the following pair:

The only one of the + Plural Noun + Singular Verb.

He is the only one of the boys who has done this.

But:

Only one of the factors that keep XX.

=> My question:

Do we need to memorize that "THE only one of the + Plural Noun +Singular Verb"

If we drop "THE", we are required to use plural verb.

Would any expert confirm this one?

Thanks.
I hops Josh's explanation will convince you. just in case, if you want to have some rules: Follow the link : https://www.beatthegmat.com/one-of-the-t40356.html

When it really comes to basics of grammer, Ron is a killer whale :)
Sonu
--------
When you want something desperately, the whole Universe conspires in helping to give it to you - The Alchemist
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by akhpad » Fri May 07, 2010 9:37 pm
Hi josh@knewton

Mary is one of the girls who + <plural verb> + ... -> in this construction, the stuff following "who" should refer to the girls.

Mary is the only one of the girls who + <singular verb> + ... -> in this construction, the stuff following "who" should refer to Mary.

A higher interest rate is only one of the factors that + <plural verb> + ...

Is there any difference between "one of ..." and "only one of ..." construction in context of SVA?

One of my books is missing. => CORRECT
One of the students was late. =>CORRECT

Can you please clarify (antecedent and SVA issue) in following sentences? I found some issue in following sentences.

He is only one of the persons who brakes spectacular cakes.
=>WHO refers to PERSON; BRAKES is INCORRECT

This is one of the cars that runs on diesel.
=> THAT refers to CARS; RUNS is INCORRECT

He is one of those persons who do not accept bribes.
=> WHO refers to PERSON; DO is CORRECT

He is one of those people who never fail in their lives.
=>WHO refers to people; FAIL is CORRECT

I have found one of the books that were missing.
=>THAT refers to books; WERE is CORRECT

Did I identify antecedent and verb correctly?
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