For construction - " X is one of the Ys (plural) that are/is"
We need plural verb or singular verb in this construction?
We need plural verb or singular verb in this construction?
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Number rule
Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction |
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karthikgmat
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
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"One" is one of those special indefinite pronouns for which you must examine the object of the the preposition (the "of construction") to determine the whether to use a singular or plural verb.karthikgmat wrote:I think X is the subject " X is one" so singular should be used here.
Here "Y" is plural and hence that "are" is the right construction.
1. One of the X's that/who <plural>
2. One of the X's <singular>
3. Only one of the X's <singular>
4. Only one of the X's that/who <plural>
5. The only one of the X's that/who <singular>
please refer to the following link to get more info -
https://www.beatthegmat.com/papgust-s-gm ... 50-45.html
hope it helps
2. One of the X's <singular>
3. Only one of the X's <singular>
4. Only one of the X's that/who <plural>
5. The only one of the X's that/who <singular>
please refer to the following link to get more info -
https://www.beatthegmat.com/papgust-s-gm ... 50-45.html
hope it helps
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GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Location: New York, NY
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Focus on the MEANING.
John is THE ONLY ONE of the members WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, John is THE ONLY ONE planning to attend.
No other members are planning to attend.
In other words:
Of the members, John is THE ONLY ONE WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Since John is THE ONLY ONE, IS PLANNING is correct.
John is only one of THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, other members ARE PLANNING to attend.
John is ONLY ONE of these members.
In other words:
Of the MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND, John is only one.
Since John is not THE only one -- other members ARE PLANNING to attend -- a plural verb is needed here.
John is THE ONLY ONE of the members WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, John is THE ONLY ONE planning to attend.
No other members are planning to attend.
In other words:
Of the members, John is THE ONLY ONE WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Since John is THE ONLY ONE, IS PLANNING is correct.
John is only one of THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.
Here, other members ARE PLANNING to attend.
John is ONLY ONE of these members.
In other words:
Of the MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND, John is only one.
Since John is not THE only one -- other members ARE PLANNING to attend -- a plural verb is needed here.
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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].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
