Subject Verb agreement - Economist

Expert replies

sparkles3144: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 145; Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:27 am; Thanked: 7 times

by sparkles3144 » Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:53 pm

White blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and plasma, which makes up 55% of the volume of normal blood, is the main component of blood.

A. up 55% of the volume of normal blood, is the main component
B. up 55% of the volume of normal blood, are the main component
C. up 55% of the volume of normal blood, are the main components
D. 55% of the volume of normal blood, are the components
E. up 55% of normal blood, is the main components

Answer: C

First I thought it is C but then I changed my mind because I saw *which makes*
Makes is singular. Right?

Can someone please explain about makes? I am lost.

Thanks!

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:53 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

[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] » Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:25 pm

Hi sparkles3144,

This SC begins with a list of items, but uses the word 'AND', so we're supposed to treat this as a plural subject.

We'll need a plural verb and a plural noun to match.

1) Verb - between 'is' and 'are', we'll need to use 'are.' Eliminate A and E.

2) Noun - between 'component' and 'components', we'll need to use 'components.' Eliminate B.

3) Style - we're told that the four listed items make up 55% of the volume of blood, so they are NOT the only components. The word 'main' is required. Eliminate D.

Final Answer: C

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

Bill@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1248; Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:57 pmFollowed by: 192 members; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 503 times; GMAT Score:780

by Bill@VeritasPrep » Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:57 pm

In addition to what Rich said, "makes" is indeed singular. It should be singular since it refers only to "plasma", which is also singular.

Join Veritas Prep’s 2010 Instructor of the Year, Matt Douglas for GMATT Mondays

Visit the Veritas Prep Blog

Try the FREE Veritas Prep Practice Test

Featured schoolRound 2 closes Jan 7, 2027 67 days left

Chicago Booth

Since 1982, 10 Booth faculty members have received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, more than any other business school.

#3
U.S. News rank: $175,000
Median base salary: 670
Average GMAT Focus: 635
Students in the class

Apply to Booth Visit chicagobooth.edu See the full profile

Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review