SC - SV agreement

karthikpandian19 wrote:The impressive rate at which the Stratocaster and other Fender electric guitars—the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, and the Jaguar—continues to be purchased is due to the success and popularity of musicians who happen to use Fender products.

(A) continues to be purchased is due to
(B) continues to be purchased are due to
(C) continue to be purchased is due to
(D) continue to be purchased are because of
(E) continuing to be purchased is because of

In my opinion it should be choice C because the subject of the sentence is "The impressive rate", this is singular and therefore needs a singular verb. Only C and D have singular verbs. However, D uses are further on which is plural. Thus, it C must be correct.

Although I'm a little worried about the use of due to, I've heard that the GMAT prefers because over due to. Any thoughts?

OA is C
The impressive rate - is singular noun and relates to "is" singular verb

the Stratocaster and other Fender electric guitars - is plural noun and relates to "continue" plural verb

Hence, C is correct

Although I'm a little worried about the use of due to, I've heard that the GMAT prefers because over due to. Any thoughts?

You are right GMAT prefers "because" over "due to", but first comes the GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. In this particular sentences the grammatically correct sentence is only C. If D or E were grammatically correct, then it would be the right answer


Does this answer your question?



(A) continues to be purchased is due to
(B) continues to be purchased are due to
(C) continue to be purchased is due to
(D) continue to be purchased are because of
(E) continuing to be purchased is because of

alex.gellatly wrote:

karthikpandian19 wrote:The impressive rate at which the Stratocaster and other Fender electric guitars—the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, and the Jaguar—continues to be purchased is due to the success and popularity of musicians who happen to use Fender products.

(A) continues to be purchased is due to
(B) continues to be purchased are due to
(C) continue to be purchased is due to
(D) continue to be purchased are because of
(E) continuing to be purchased is because of

In my opinion it should be choice C because the subject of the sentence is "The impressive rate", this is singular and therefore needs a singular verb. Only C and D have singular verbs. However, D uses are further on which is plural. Thus, it C must be correct.

Although I'm a little worried about the use of due to, I've heard that the GMAT prefers because over due to. Any thoughts?