Singular and Plural

by SA Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:14 am

[deleted - official paper and pencil questions, along with OG questions, no longer allowed to be posted as per GMAC]

The question was posted on this forum on 25th NOv and the source given was GMAC PP42. The doubt in the question is:
Is one of the several clinical research projects singular or plural and why?

by **Hei** Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:58 pm

AFAIK, "one of X" is always singular.
Correct me if I am wrong.

by **Hei** Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:19 pm

Oh, but the "that" is referring to "clinical research projects", which are plural according the the answer.
To me, "that" can be logically referring to the specific project or all clinical research projects.

by **Guest** Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:04 am

My take on the "one of X" constructions is as follows:

- If the "one" of "one of X" is the subject of a sentence or clause, the verb should agree with "one" rather than "X."

- On the other hand, if "one" is the object, the verb should then agree with "X" rather than "one."

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

by **Guest** Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:09 pm

Anonymous Wrote:My take on the "one of X" constructions is as follows:

- If the "one" of "one of X" is the subject of a sentence or clause, the verb should agree with "one" rather than "X."

- On the other hand, if "one" is the object, the verb should then agree with "X" rather than "one."

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

What's the answer to this? E?

by **StaceyKoprince** Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:43 pm

Hey, guys

First, I had to delete the text of the question because it is held under copyright by GMAC and is not distributed freely (as GMATPrep questions are). I know it has been posted in the past already, but we can't post or re-post paper and pencil or OG questions anymore due to a copyright request from GMAC.

Second, re: this structure.

One of her clinical research projects is out of funds. The "is out of funds" refers only to the one project - the others are fine.

Lydia is directing one of several clinical research projects that seek to determine..." "that seek to determine" refers to all of the projects - they are all seeking to determine the same thing.

Key structural difference: "that." In the first one, "of her clinical research projects" is just describing the word "one" - otherwise, I wouldn't know what "one" was talking about. One is out of funds. One what?

In the second one, Lydia is directing one project. There are several projects - but the others maybe have different directors. The projects together are classified as those that are seeking to determine (whatever it is they're all trying to determine). The "that" indicates that the following clause refers to the immediately preceding major noun - in this case, projects.

Confusing, definitely. :)