Sentence Correction

Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

soumyopriyosaha wrote:Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

In the sentence above, Verb ('broadcast') is plural, so the subject has to be plural. Subject in (E) 'networks' is plural. Hence (E) is correct.

IMO E

broadcast shows that it should be plural.

each of the networks ...> singular

three major networks each...> plural

komal wrote:

soumyopriyosaha wrote:Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

In the sentence above, Verb ('broadcast') is plural, so the subject has to be plural. Subject in (E) 'networks' is plural. Hence (E) is correct.

Doesn't "each" in E require a singular verb?

the plurality or singularity of the each depends up on its placement, if it is placed as a precedent then it takes a singular, but if it is placed as an antecedent then depends up on the noun.

For example here the usage in E is plural (in the three major networks each)

soumyopriyosaha wrote:Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

I really doubt E to be the answer.

1.comma never precedes "as"
2. Subject is "television" and not "networks.

IMO A. here "such as" is used to mean " for example".

OA plz??

OA is E.

why is C wrong...??

why is C wrong...??

C is wrong because of the cause-effect relationship the option introduces through the word "if"

This word changes the meaning of the original sentence, else C is not grammatically wrong!!!

C says that television is superficial if and only if all 3 major networks broadcast..bla bla... while the original sentence says that TV is superficial and one example of that is it broadcasts bla bla...

Although the non-underlined part contains a pronoun error, this sentence tests a bunch of GMAT SC concepts...good one!!!

viidyasagar wrote:

why is C wrong...??

C is wrong because of the cause-effect relationship the option introduces through the word "if"

This word changes the meaning of the original sentence, else C is not grammatically wrong!!!

C says that television is superficial if and only if all 3 major networks broadcast..bla bla... while the original sentence says that TV is superficial and one example of that is it broadcasts bla bla...

Although the non-underlined part contains a pronoun error, this sentence tests a bunch of GMAT SC concepts...good one!!!

is there a difference between "superficial if the three major networks all.." and "superficial if all the three major networks..."

if so, which one is the better option, and why?

is there a difference between "superficial if the three major networks all.." and "superficial if all the three major networks..."

if so, which one is the better option, and why?

Interesting question. One that requires detailed explanation.....let's be crisp

"All" is a determiner...and like a bunch of other determiners, "all" can be used either as adjectives or as pronouns or in apposition.

When "all" is followed immediately by a noun...the determiner "all" is used as an adjective.....for example, "all books".

When "all" is followed immediately by the article "the" (an adjective)....the determiner "all" is used as a pronoun...all (of) the books...

In our example, "superficial if all the three major networks", "all" precedes "the" and hence "all" is used as a pronoun determiner..... CORRECT USAGE

APPOSITION

Additionally "all", "both" and "each" can also be used in apposition.

The technical rule is - A word used in apposition immediately follows the subject of a verb, or the object of a verb or preposition, and refers to the same thing as the subject or object

Basically.....if we stick to our example "superficial if the three major networks all broadcast".....is the same as

"superficial if the three major networks,all, broadcast.......

other examples include...."The boys all looked forward to cracking the GMAT", "The players both outsmarted each other at the Rod Laver Arena"..sounds awkward but follows rules

Remember rule for Appositives???? where the word/ words between two commas can be dispensed with??....AGAIN CORRECT USAGE..

Both are correct

Hope it helps

by using Each of , you are essentially cherry-picking one out of a group. Hence, if you use each of , you will have to have broadcasts in the sentence. This is clearly not the case. Hence, kill options A,D and E.

C essentially says that television becomes superficial only when the three major networks broadcast the same thing.


IMO, though the wordiest option, B would be the credited response in this case. B tells us an example where television can become superficial, which is the author's intent.

Mods / instructors, please jump in !

RULE:

When 'each' follows a subject that is plural (as in this case), the verb that agrees with (or is it 'agrees to'..hehe) it, has to be plural.

I'll request you to first Google this "rule" and find at least one support for it, if you can find one.

Here are some links :

https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp . (ref Rule 8)

https://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm ( ref. point 2)

https://grammar.about.com/od/correctinge ... pecSVA.htm (ref. CASE #2)

these links may help you bend your rules a bit


leave aside this question and think logically...... when you say "each of" , it is obvious that whatever follows will be plural.
You will then refer all of them (each of the group) ONE BY ONE.

Hope I'm clear!

harshavardhanc wrote:

RULE:

When 'each' follows a subject that is plural (as in this case), the verb that agrees with (or is it 'agrees to'..hehe) it, has to be plural.

I'll request you to first Google this "rule" and find at least one support for it, if you can find one.

Here are some links :

https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp . (ref Rule 8)

https://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm ( ref. point 2)

https://grammar.about.com/od/correctinge ... pecSVA.htm (ref. CASE #2)

these links may help you bend your rules a bit


leave aside this question and think logically...... when you say "each of" , it is obvious that whatever follows will be plural.
You will then refer all of them (each of the group) ONE BY ONE.

Hope I'm clear!

My friend,

In all these links that you provide, there is not a single example where 'each' follows a plural subject.

Anyways, I request the experts to dive in and help us out!