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?
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GMAT prep question-Confusing one !
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prakashchandra
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mevicks
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Number of flights is can be "counted" so number should be used here (not amount).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,
Countable things --> Use: fewer, many, number ...
Uncountable things --> Use: little, less, much, amount ...
We are left with B, D, and E. Only D presents a contrast by using but; correct answer D
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prakashchandra
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prakashchandra
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Mo2men
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Dear GMATGuru,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?
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?
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GMATGuruNY
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To refer to a noun that takes a SINGULAR verb, we use amount.Mo2men wrote:Dear GMATGuru,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?
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 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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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].
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Md.Belal Hossain
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Dear @GMATGuruNY,GMATGuruNY wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 3:35 amTo refer to a noun that takes a SINGULAR verb, we use amount.Mo2men wrote:Dear GMATGuru,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?
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 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.
Is there any difference between "an equal number" and " the same number"?
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Mo2men
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Hi GMATGuru,Mo2men wrote: ↑Mon May 27, 2019 10:20 pmDear GMATGuru,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?
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?
In choice E, if we change it to be "an equal number as WAS offered last year":
1- Will it be correct?
2- Does 'equal number' have same meaning as ' same number'? if not what is difference?
Thanks in advance
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hahahehe
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The question means, that airline carriers are aiming at increasing profits. They aim to do so not by increasing the number of flights, but by using larger planes.
So there has to be an element of contrast in the sentence. Only D offers this.
Some people might be hesitant to choose D as it may seem that we are comparing number of flights with "last year". Example, 100 flights in 2020 compared to 2019. But before the comparison, it is already mentioned, "in terms of flights". So the comparison is not flawed.
So there has to be an element of contrast in the sentence. Only D offers this.
Some people might be hesitant to choose D as it may seem that we are comparing number of flights with "last year". Example, 100 flights in 2020 compared to 2019. But before the comparison, it is already mentioned, "in terms of flights". So the comparison is not flawed.
