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

Redeem

Litigation

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:23 am

Litigation

by sgadipat » Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:07 pm
The increase in the number and scope of investigations into monopolistic business practices, in addition to the expansion of definitions of such practices, have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation presently than ever before.

(A) have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation presently than ever before
(B) has resulted in greater antimonopoly litigation presently than previously
(C) has resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than was seen ever before
(D) have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than ever before
(E) has resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than ever before

Can some one please explain the choices
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 88
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:01 pm
Thanked: 54 times
Followed by:37 members

by chris@magoosh » Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:16 pm
Hopefully I can help :)

First, let me just underline the relevant part to make it easier on the eyes.

The increase in the number and scope of investigations into monopolistic business practices, in addition to the expansion of definitions of such practices, have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation presently than ever before.

(A) have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation presently than ever before
(B) has resulted in greater antimonopoly litigation presently than previously
(C) has resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than was seen ever before
(D) have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than ever before
(E) has resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than ever before


First off, this question is testing subject-verb agreement. Believe it or not but the subject is 'increase.' The GMAT is trying to trick you by throwing in a bunch of other information between the subject 'increase' and the verb 'to have.'

Because 'increase' is singular the verb needs to be 'has' not 'have.'

Just like that we've eliminated (A) and (D).

The next part of the underlined part that we want to focus on is 'than ever before.The use of 'previously' in (B) changes the meaning. 'Than ever before' implies there is more antimonopoly litigation than at any other time in the past. 'Previously' leaves open the interpretation that the number of litigation cases could have increased after initially going down. To illustrate:

1990: 500 litigation cases
2000: 300 litigation cases
2002: 350 litigation cases

Clearly 2002 is greater than previously (2000) but not greater than 1990.

So out with (B).

(C) is wordy, than was seen ever before


And just like that we have answer (E).

Hope that helped :).
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:23 am

by sgadipat » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:07 am
Thanks Chris, just one question.

Why is the subject only "The increase" and not a combined "The increase in the number and scope of investigations" which makes the verb plural.

Regards
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 2789
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:19 am
Location: Chennai, India
Thanked: 206 times
Followed by:43 members
GMAT Score:640

by GmatKiss » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:55 am
Re-posting the question with underline,

The increase in the number and scope of investigations into monopolistic business practices, in addition to the expansion of definitions of such practices, have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation presently than ever before.

(A) have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation presently than ever before
(B) has resulted in greater antimonopoly litigation presently than previously
(C) has resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than was seen ever before - wordy
(D) have resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than ever before
(E) has resulted in more antimonopoly litigation at present than ever before

IMO: E
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1