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Manager

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none [#permalink]

11 Apr 2008, 19:24

Please shed some light on "none" issue because I give up (below is why). Being non-native speaker is difficult enough and the 'issues' like this one make me only miserable.

1) Manhattan GMAT Sentence Corrections says (p. 30) that "for SANAM (Some, Any, None, All, Most) pronouns you should look at the object of the 'of' construction to determine the number of the subject". Examples are:
a) Some of the money WAS stolen from my wallet. (money is singular)
b) Some of the documents WERE stolen from the bank. (documents is plural).

2) So then I move to Kaplan GMAT 800 and in the Sentence Correction Challenge the first example (p.135) is as follows:
As of this morning, none of my friends have been able to solve the puzzle contained in last week's newspaper.
a) none of my friends have been able to solve
b) none of my friends was able to solve
c) not one of my friends has yet been able to solve
d) none of my friends has been able to solve
e) nobody among my friends have solved

Answer: D
Explanation: 'None' is singular and needs singular verb.

So if I understand it correctly and follow Manhattan GMAT the correct answer would be A (have), but Kaplan goes with D (has). ???????

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CEO

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Re: none [#permalink]

11 Apr 2008, 22:59

I'd take manhattan's word anytime over kaplan's. I'd go with A here.

Director

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Re: none [#permalink]

12 Apr 2008, 00:11

I also agree on relying more on MGMAT SC guide rathen than on Kaplan for this.

Infact, I have browsed through OG10 to see the usage of NONE. It has used singular and plural both. Sometimes the singular/plural form doesn't agree with the subject.

I will have a look at OG11. I will post if I find something useful.

In the meanwhile I uphold the MGMAT SC Guide's verdict.

Director

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Re: none [#permalink]

12 Apr 2008, 00:58

definitely would go with a...you refer 10 books they will refer ten answers...but its an accepted fact...when it comes to Sc,no one is better than manhattan....i improved considerably only becaus eof this book......and most of the ppl i believe....

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Re: none [#permalink]

12 Apr 2008, 01:05

I don't see any official GMAT problem that tests usage of "none"....
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Re: none [#permalink]

12 Apr 2008, 05:54

None can be used as both plural and singular depending on whether the object of preposition is countable or not.
Here it can be counted so plural form should be used.

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Re: none [#permalink]

12 Apr 2008, 07:58

i check the grammar book it states that none can be used in singular or plural form. However plural is more idiomatic. For GMAT, i would believe it takes plural form. MGMAT is trusworthy

Quick googling -> http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/039.html

Re: none [#permalink] 12 Apr 2008, 07:58

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