Sub-Verb agreement

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veenu08: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 106; Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:55 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by veenu08 » Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:36 am

Hi,

Can someone explain me what will be verb over here-

This sandwich is the only one of all the sandwiches made at the deli that (is/are) inedible

Regards,
Veenu

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:36 am

LanaFirefox: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:00 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by LanaFirefox » Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:23 am

The correct answer should be: This sandwich is the only one ... that IS inedible.

I have been struggling a lot with these as well, but the main point is the presence or absence of the word "the" that makes all the difference.

If it says "the only one of...", then it's singular.
If it says "only one of... (without the)", then it's plural.

If you want to understand why is it so, I found this post helpful: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/ver ... t2091.html

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sameerballani: Legendary Member; Posts: 544; Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:10 amFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 45 times

by sameerballani » Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:08 am

I believe it should be ARE.
Since, we are describing SANDWICHES, not THIS SANDWICH.

veenu08 wrote:Hi,

Can someone explain me what will be verb over here-

This sandwich is the only one of all the sandwiches made at the deli that (is/are) inedible

Regards,
Veenu

If my post was helpful, then please click "Thank".

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[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:17 pm

Hi sameerballani,

Notice the descriptive word "inedible" at the end of the sentence? The "intent" of the sentence is that this ONE sandwich is the only one that's inedible, so we have a singular subject ("this sandwich"). Singular subject --> singular verb --> "is".

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Rich

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