BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

The use of "each"

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:13 am
Thanked: 1 times

The use of "each"

by Michelle P » Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:36 am
Hi,
I would like to know more about the use of "each".
I have learnt that each requires a singular verb.
i.e. Each of the four books are a different color.
At the beginning of the game, each player has three cards.
However, there is an exception in this case:
They each are great tennis players [*][/b] (an example from MGMAT SC)

I applied this knowledge in a SC problem in OG-Verbal Review:
Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.
(A) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(B) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(C) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(D) every character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(E) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their

OA is A
I choose E because I think that I can employ this use [*] of "each" in this SC problem.
Could you please explain why I get wrong and clarify the use of "each" in this problem.
Thanks a lot!
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:18 am
Michelle P wrote:Hi,
I would like to know more about the use of "each".
I have learnt that each requires a singular verb.
i.e. Each of the four books are a different color.
At the beginning of the game, each player has three cards.
However, there is an exception in this case:
They each are great tennis players [*][/b] (an example from MGMAT SC)

I applied this knowledge in a SC problem in OG-Verbal Review:
Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.
(A) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(B) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(C) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(D) every character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(E) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their

OA is A
I choose E because I think that I can employ this use [*] of "each" in this SC problem.
Could you please explain why I get wrong and clarify the use of "each" in this problem.
Thanks a lot!
In B and C, all the characters are incorrectly equated with a miniature calligraphic composition. All the characters are not the same composition. The intended meaning is that each character is its own composition. Eliminate B and C.

In D and E, their (plural) doesn't agree with composition (singular). Eliminate D and E.

The correct answer is A.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
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
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1112
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:16 am
Thanked: 77 times
Followed by:49 members

by atulmangal » Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:42 am
Hi,

First, please try to understand the concept of EACH...

When SUBJECT is preceded by EACH and EVERY, VERB will be SINGULAR

Ex:- each player has three cards

here player is the subject preceded by each hence singular "has"

But when EACH comes after SUBJECT then it has no bearing on the VERB, in simple words, the VERB depends on SUBJECT i.e plural sub takes plural verb and sing. takes sing.

Ex:- They each are great tennis players

Here THEY is the Sub and followed by EACH...and as THEY is Plural so Plural VERB "ARE"

Now coming to your Question from OG,

First of all, the concepts we discussed above has to do nothing in this question because the
part of the sentence starting with EACH is a phrase and it contain NO VERB...this part is just a modifier and nothing else.

Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.

The green colored part is Independent clause and Brown are Modifiers.

In Op A, COMPOSITION is Singular and hence ITS
In Op E, COMPOSITION is Singular so plural pronoun their can not be use to refer back

Hope this help
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:13 am
Thanked: 1 times

by Michelle P » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:29 am
atulmangal wrote:Hi,

First, please try to understand the concept of EACH...

When SUBJECT is preceded by EACH and EVERY, VERB will be SINGULAR

Ex:- each player has three cards

here player is the subject preceded by each hence singular "has"

But when EACH comes after SUBJECT then it has no bearing on the VERB, in simple words, the VERB depends on SUBJECT i.e plural sub takes plural verb and sing. takes sing.

Ex:- They each are great tennis players

Here THEY is the Sub and followed by EACH...and as THEY is Plural so Plural VERB "ARE"

Now coming to your Question from OG,

First of all, the concepts we discussed above has to do nothing in this question because the
part of the sentence starting with EACH is a phrase and it contain NO VERB...this part is just a modifier and nothing else.

Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.

The green colored part is Independent clause and Brown are Modifiers.

In Op A, COMPOSITION is Singular and hence ITS
In Op E, COMPOSITION is Singular so plural pronoun their can not be use to refer back

Hope this help
Yeah, this really helped! Thanks for your explanation.
I was wrong when thinking that the phrase "each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame" is a clause and that "character" is the verb (actually, it's a noun) and it must agree with the noun "ideographic characters".
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1112
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:16 am
Thanked: 77 times
Followed by:49 members

by atulmangal » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:37 am
Yeah, this really helped! Thanks for your explanation.
I was wrong when thinking that the phrase "each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame" is a clause and that "character" is the verb (actually, it's a noun) and it must agree with the noun "ideographic characters".
Just wanna add...suppose u consider that CHARACTER is a verb then in that case the complete sentence will become a Run-On sentence and that gonna be WRONG...The reason is, in that case, two independent clause get connected by only a COMMA..which means COMMA splice error..thats why also CHARACTER can not be a VERB.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:13 am
Thanked: 1 times

by Michelle P » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:38 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
Michelle P wrote:Hi,
I would like to know more about the use of "each".
I have learnt that each requires a singular verb.
i.e. Each of the four books are a different color.
At the beginning of the game, each player has three cards.
However, there is an exception in this case:
They each are great tennis players [*][/b] (an example from MGMAT SC)

I applied this knowledge in a SC problem in OG-Verbal Review:
Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.
(A) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(B) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(C) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(D) every character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(E) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their

OA is A
I choose E because I think that I can employ this use [*] of "each" in this SC problem.
Could you please explain why I get wrong and clarify the use of "each" in this problem.
Thanks a lot!
In B and C, all the characters are incorrectly equated with a miniature calligraphic composition. All the characters are not the same composition. The intended meaning is that each character is its own composition. Eliminate B and C.

In D and E, their (plural) doesn't agree with composition (singular). Eliminate D and E.

The correct answer is A.
Thank you for pointing out the split its/their.
I misunderstood the use of "each" here. Actually, it's just a modifier of "ideographic characters". However, I am not familiar with this kind of modifier in the GMAT: each + something + something. Could you pls give me some examples of this structure? Thank you.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:13 am
Thanked: 1 times

by Michelle P » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:53 am
atulmangal wrote:Just wanna add...suppose u consider that CHARACTER is a verb then in that case the complete sentence will become a Run-On sentence and that gonna be WRONG...The reason is, in that case, two independent clause get connected by only a COMMA..which means COMMA splice error..thats why also CHARACTER can not be a VERB.
Hey, I understand your point.
I don't intend to question a CORRECT answer in a official problem. However, I want to understand why it is correct. While I understand that the noun phrase each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame is a mofifier of ideographic characters, I don't quite understand the use of "each" here. It is definitely not mentioned in the SC guide book. Could you pls give me some examples of this use of "each" here?
Thanks a ton!
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1