NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 25 Apr 2024, 02:31 It is currently 25 Apr 2024, 02:31
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Is this sentence correct ?

User avatar
abhinava
Manager
Manager
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Own Kudos [?]: 10 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 01:42
" A majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while travelling "

According to Manhattan GMAT , it is correct . But isn't "majority" here plural ?



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
User avatar
UMB
Manager
Manager
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 144
Own Kudos [?]: 84 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 06:05
i have several times seen in different tests that Majority , like minority,Commitee, team and family is treated as singular.
User avatar
live_and_legendary
Intern
Intern
Joined: 17 May 2007
Posts: 4
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 06:33
This is an interesting one indeed. I think the key here is the 'A majority' which indicates singularity and hence the use of 'reads'.

If the sentence were 'People...' then it would end up with the use of 'read'
User avatar
abhinava
Manager
Manager
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Own Kudos [?]: 10 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 10:58
Another sentence in Manhattan GMAT is
"The majority of students are against the proposal"
Here "majority" is plural , so why the hell "majority" in the sentence
" A majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while travelling " is singular ?
User avatar
live_and_legendary
Intern
Intern
Joined: 17 May 2007
Posts: 4
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 20:01
Abhinav,
Can't 'The majority' be treated as singular?
I think A and The are both indicating singularity.
User avatar
Swagatalakshmi
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 434
Own Kudos [?]: 935 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Dallas, Texas
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 20:26
This is correct
avatar
poochandi
Manager
Manager
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 101
Own Kudos [?]: 6 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools:Wharton (R1), MIT (R1), Chicago (R2), Kellogg (R2)
 Q51  V41
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   20 May 2007, 21:43
Majority is one of those words that can either be singular or plural.

When majority is used to represent a group of individuals it is used in the plural form like "majority of email users ARE irritated ...".

If on the other hand majority is used to describe a collective group then it is singular like "a two-thirds majority IS required to pass a bill that is vetoes by the president"

I hope this helps
User avatar
javed
Manager
Manager
Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 177
Own Kudos [?]: 187 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink] New post   21 May 2007, 06:24
Majority can be singular or plural depending upon the quantifier and usage in this case it is singular and hence the sentence is a correct sentence.

Javed.

Cheers!



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Is this sentence correct ? [#permalink]
21 May 2007, 06:24
Moderators:
gmat1393
Retired Moderator
654 posts
u1983
Current Student
733 posts
MikeScarn
Current Student
278 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions