Samakshkapoor92 wrote:
sudarshan22,
GMATNinja,
aragonn,
GMATNinjaTwo,
broall,
hazelnut,
Vyshak,
generisI have a problem with E , that the subject verb does not look right. Since its talking about the quality and we have terms in the but clause which is singular, so shouldn't regard be regards?
"far surpasses that of pieces from the eastern Mediterranean, not only with regard to"
Samakshkapoor92We are dealing here with two prepositional idioms.
(1) The prepositional phrase
with regard to is idiomatic, and
regard is always singular.Correct: With regard to the rules that we discussed. . .
Correct: With regard to the bank that I recommended ...
WRONG: With regard
s to [noun]
(2) Similarly, in the prepositional phrase
in terms of, terms is always plural. Correct: In terms of your salary...
WRONG: In
term of [noun]
Correct: In terms of salaries
Those prepositional phrases never change.
I do not recall having seen a question that tested either phrase with respect to the middle word in each phrase.
A prepositional phrase is still a preposition, so maybe it would help to think:
The word "about" does not turn into "abouts" when the noun is plural. The story was . . .
. . . about a boy
. . . about girls
Further, perhaps if we shorten the sentence, answer E will look less odd.
The quality of ABCs excavated in Italy and Europe far surpasses [that = the quality of] pieces from the eastern Mediterranean, not only with regard to [X], but also in terms of [Y].
Similar:
The quality of Picasso's painting far surpasses that of Mr. Smith, not only with regard to color choice and subject matter, but also in terms of creative expression and originality.
Hope that helps.
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