Having more than the usual numbers of fingers or toes on the hands or feet is termed polydactyly.
A. Having more than the usual numbers of fingers or toes
B. Having had more than the usual number of fingers or toes
C. Having more than the usual number of fingers or toes
D. To have more than the usual number of fingers or toes
E. To have more than the usual numbers of fingers or toes
when do we use number of and when numbers of? examples of any other usage related to this is appreciated.
OA C
number of vs. numbers of
This topic has expert replies
- papgust
- Community Manager
- Posts: 1537
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:10 pm
- Thanked: 653 times
- Followed by:252 members
Hi,
Generally, "numbers of" is wrong in GMAT. You can use either "A number of" or "The number of".
"A number of X" is plural and must take a plural verb, whereas "The number of X" is singular and must take a singular verb.
In this sentence, the only difference b/w A and C is that A uses "numbers of" and C uses "number of". A can be eliminated due to illogical usage of "numbers of". So, C remains.
Generally, "numbers of" is wrong in GMAT. You can use either "A number of" or "The number of".
"A number of X" is plural and must take a plural verb, whereas "The number of X" is singular and must take a singular verb.
In this sentence, the only difference b/w A and C is that A uses "numbers of" and C uses "number of". A can be eliminated due to illogical usage of "numbers of". So, C remains.
-
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1578
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am
- Thanked: 128 times
- Followed by:34 members
- GMAT Score:760
Just remember the rule that if the noun is countable use "number of" if the noun is non-countable use "amount of". Countable means you can put a number in front of it. For example, computers is a countable noun. You can have one computer, two computers, three computers, etc. Air is a non-countable noun, you can't say one air, two airs, three airs, etc.
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:53 pm
- Thanked: 31 times
- Followed by:2 members
hey pappapgust wrote:Hi,
Generally, "numbers of" is wrong in GMAT. You can use either "A number of" or "The number of".
"A number of X" is plural and must take a plural verb, whereas "The number of X" is singular and must take a singular verb.
In this sentence, the only difference b/w A and C is that A uses "numbers of" and C uses "number of". A can be eliminated due to illogical usage of "numbers of". So, C remains.
I would like to correct something here
NUMBERS OF is not INCORRECT on GMAT
THE NUMBERS OF / A NUMBERS OF is incorrect though
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:09 pm
- Thanked: 1 times
- Followed by:1 members
Numbers of always incorrect, for pularl stuff we use A number of..
You can elimnate A and E for Numbers
Elimnate B because tense issue
C and D are close..
we can eliminate D becuase if we use To have then we need a Object in the sentence.. therefore C is the right answer
You can elimnate A and E for Numbers
Elimnate B because tense issue
C and D are close..
we can eliminate D becuase if we use To have then we need a Object in the sentence.. therefore C is the right answer
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:53 pm
- Thanked: 31 times
- Followed by:2 members
hey akakahuja143 wrote:Numbers of always incorrect, for pularl stuff we use A number of..
You can elimnate A and E for Numbers
Elimnate B because tense issue
C and D are close..
we can eliminate D becuase if we use To have then we need a Object in the sentence.. therefore C is the right answer
i guess ur misguided
Please see this first :
quote from Stacey
PostThu Jan 14, 2010 11:48 am Thank this user for their post
Quote:
But let's say you have - Each test center has its own schedule of GMAT test dates and accommodates a varying numbers of students.
Not quite. It would be correct to say "accommodates varying numbers of students" but not "accommodates a varying numbers of students."
_________________
Stacey Koprince
GMAT Instructor
Director of Online Community
Manhattan GMAT
Contributor to Beat The GMAT!
---
Check these links ...
https://www.beatthegmat.com/numbers-of-f ... 85-15.html
https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/can ... t7484.html
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:13 pm
- Location: Greater NYC
- Thanked: 14 times
Thanks for the tips ..really appreciate that.osirus0830 wrote:Just remember the rule that if the noun is countable use "number of" if the noun is non-countable use "amount of". Countable means you can put a number in front of it. For example, computers is a countable noun. You can have one computer, two computers, three computers, etc. Air is a non-countable noun, you can't say one air, two airs, three airs, etc.
- papgust
- Community Manager
- Posts: 1537
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:10 pm
- Thanked: 653 times
- Followed by:252 members
Hi mmslf,
Yes you are right. "Numbers of" is not incorrect. Only "The numbers of" and "A numbers of" are incorrect.
Even then, option A is wrong as it says ".. more than the usual numbers of .."
Yes you are right. "Numbers of" is not incorrect. Only "The numbers of" and "A numbers of" are incorrect.
Even then, option A is wrong as it says ".. more than the usual numbers of .."
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:53 pm
- Thanked: 31 times
- Followed by:2 members
yeh pap, agreed to tht point.papgust wrote:Hi mmslf,
Yes you are right. "Numbers of" is not incorrect. Only "The numbers of" and "A numbers of" are incorrect.
Even then, option A is wrong as it says ".. more than the usual numbers of .."
i only wanted to state usage of NUMBERS OF ..