'One of' constructions - -pls help!!!!

Question

Ok so I always get confused with the 'one of' constructions. Can you guys pls provide a definitive rule for this construction?

Here are some examples -

1. Since 1989, after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans, who have had to acclimate to an entirely different political system.

Here the construction is 'one of...groups' - OA suggests that this is singular

2. 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.

Here the construction is 'one of...factors' - OA suggests that the verb should be keep, suggesting that one of is plural?

Also I read somewhere that 'ONE OF CONSTRUCTIONS' FOLLOW THE SANAM PRONOUN RULE -Some, Any, None, All, More/Most and they take on singular forms only in the following cases -

He is the only one of the my friends who is an IT professional

He is one of my friends who are IT professionals

One of my friends is an IT professional

IS 'ONE OF' CONSTRUCTION CONTEXTUAL?

bubbliiiiiiii · Answer

1. Since 1989, after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans, who have had to acclimate to an entirely different political system.

Here the construction is 'one of...groups' - OA suggests that this is singular

Here I agree with that 'one of...groups' is singular because we are referring to one in the group. However, I don't agree with the verb were used in the sentence. So, could you please clarify whether the sentence posted above is correct or from question stem which needs correction?

2. 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.

Here the construction is 'one of...factors' - OA suggests that the verb should be keep, suggesting that one of is plural?

Here I agree with the OA again because here that refers to groups (plural) but not to 'one of...factors' as assumed by you.

IS 'ONE OF' CONSTRUCTION CONTEXTUAL?

From my experience in the SC forum till date, I understand that though it is important to understand all the rules, which are mostly constant like formulas, but their application is always context based. Thus, as many experts suggest we have to understand the meaning of the sentence before applying rules to the sentence.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Pranay

zaarathelab · Answer

thanks pranay. Understanding the meaning of the sentence is critical, but it can get tricky in the 'one'of' constructions.

The first question is incorrect . We need to use 'was' or 'has been' instead of 'have'

Choose how you want to prepare

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

'One of' constructions - -pls help!!!!

Chicago Booth

GMAT Course Reviews

Admissions Consulting Reviews

FREE GMAT PREP RESOURCES

GMAT PREP DEAL TRACKER