According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universitie

According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universities, the number of college graduates interested in pursuing a career in financial services is likely to double by 2010.

A. is likely to double
B. Are likely to increase by twice
C. Are likely to double
D. Will double
E. Will increase by twice

Official Solution:

The original sentence supplies the correct singular verb “is likely” for the singular subject “the number of graduates.” The sentence also employs the concise and idiomatic form “is likely to double.”

(A) CORRECT. This answer choice is correct as it repeats the original sentence.

(B) This answer choice supplies the incorrect plural verb “are likely” that does not agree with the singular subject “the number of graduates.” Further, this answer choice uses the wordy and unidiomatic construction “to increase by twice” rather than the concise and idiomatic form “to double.”

(C) This answer choice uses the incorrect plural verb “are likely” that does not agree with the singular subject “the number of graduates.”

(D) While the verb construction “will double” is more concise than the original “is likely to double,” this change incorrectly alters the meaning of the sentence by implying that the expected increase in the interest in “a career in financial services” is certain rather than merely “likely,” as stated in the original sentence.

(E) This answer choice employs the wordy and unidiomatic construction “to increase by twice” rather than the concise and idiomatic form “to double.” Further, the verb “will increase” implies that the expected increase in the interest in “a career in financial services” is certain rather than merely “likely,” as stated in the original sentence. This change incorrectly alters the original meaning of the sentence.