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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 14 Jul 2013, 17:55
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Hey all. I am having a tough time understanding the difference between two "one of" statements, in which one is singular and one is plural.

Examples.

"Not one of the potential investors" vs "one of the substances"

I understand one always takes the singular, however, if it is describing a plural group, then it takes the plural verb correct?

Now, how is one of the potential investors singular? Is it because the "not" precedes the "one"?

Thanks!
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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 14 Jul 2013, 18:01
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buguy7
Hey all. I am having a tough time understanding the difference between two "one of" statements, in which one is singular and one is plural.

Examples.

"Not one of the potential investors" vs "one of the substances"

I understand one always takes the singular, however, if it is describing a plural group, then it takes the plural verb correct?

Now, how is one of the potential investors singular? Is it because the "not" precedes the "one"?

Thanks!
Show more

hi,

sentence starting with NOT ONE...always takes singular verb.

for one of the sentences follow the below rule:

1. One of the Xs that/who <plural>
2. One of the Xs <singular>
3. only One of the Xs <singular>
4. only One of the Xs that/who <plural>
5. "the" only One of the Xs that/who <singular>

hope it helps.
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buguy7
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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 14 Jul 2013, 18:04
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buguy7
Hey all. I am having a tough time understanding the difference between two "one of" statements, in which one is singular and one is plural.

Examples.

"Not one of the potential investors" vs "one of the substances"

I understand one always takes the singular, however, if it is describing a plural group, then it takes the plural verb correct?

Now, how is one of the potential investors singular? Is it because the "not" precedes the "one"?

Thanks!

hi,

sentence starting with NOT ONE...always takes singular verb.

for one of the sentences follow the below rule:

1. One of the Xs that/who <plural>
2. One of the Xs <singular>
3. only One of the Xs <singular>
4. only One of the Xs that/who <plural>
5. "the" only One of the Xs that/who <singular>

hope it helps.
Show more

Ok great, so basically the "that/who" makes all the difference in the world, and then if "the" is thrown in there, that trumps everything including the that/who. Is it OK to think of it that way?
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blueseas
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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 14 Jul 2013, 18:06
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buguy7
shaileshmishra
buguy7
Hey all. I am having a tough time understanding the difference between two "one of" statements, in which one is singular and one is plural.

Examples.

"Not one of the potential investors" vs "one of the substances"

I understand one always takes the singular, however, if it is describing a plural group, then it takes the plural verb correct?

Now, how is one of the potential investors singular? Is it because the "not" precedes the "one"?

Thanks!

hi,

sentence starting with NOT ONE...always takes singular verb.

for one of the sentences follow the below rule:

1. One of the Xs that/who <plural>
2. One of the Xs <singular>
3. only One of the Xs <singular>
4. only One of the Xs that/who <plural>
5. "the" only One of the Xs that/who <singular>

hope it helps.

Ok great, so basically the "that/who" makes all the difference in the world, and then if "the" is thrown in there, that trumps everything including the that/who. Is it OK to think of it that way?
Show more

presence of THE makes it singular...rest all depends on THAT/WHO...

Hope it helps
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blueseas
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Schools: PGDM (GM) '15 (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
Posts: 577
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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 14 Jul 2013, 18:08
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buguy7
shaileshmishra
buguy7
Hey all. I am having a tough time understanding the difference between two "one of" statements, in which one is singular and one is plural.

Examples.

"Not one of the potential investors" vs "one of the substances"

I understand one always takes the singular, however, if it is describing a plural group, then it takes the plural verb correct?

Now, how is one of the potential investors singular? Is it because the "not" precedes the "one"?

Thanks!

hi,

sentence starting with NOT ONE...always takes singular verb.

for one of the sentences follow the below rule:

1. One of the Xs that/who <plural>
2. One of the Xs <singular>
3. only One of the Xs <singular>
4. only One of the Xs that/who <plural>
5. "the" only One of the Xs that/who <singular>

hope it helps.

Ok great, so basically the "that/who" makes all the difference in the world, and then if "the" is thrown in there, that trumps everything including the that/who. Is it OK to think of it that way?
Show more

note: Xs===>this is always plural.
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buguy7
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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 14 Jul 2013, 18:10
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Correct, unless there is a "the" attached to the beginning, or if there is a that/who MISSING at the end, right?

Sorry about the back and forth, just trying to master this particular issue.
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"One of the (singular or plural)" confusion 25 Oct 2023, 02:31
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