OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONProject SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2)
THE PROMPTQuote:
A series of troubling reports released by some of the top environmental organizations indicates that as much as 18,000 pieces of floating plastic, which is resistant to natural biodegradation, makes up every square kilometer of the ocean.
THE OPTIONSQuote:
A) indicates that as much as 18,000 pieces of floating plastic, which is resistant to natural biodegradation, makes up
•
as much as should be
as many as→ pieces of floating plastic are countable; to talk about countable nouns, we use as many as
• the verb
is should be
are in order to match the plural subject
pieces of floating plastic•
makes up should be
make up to agree with the plural subject
pieces of floating plastic ELIMINATE A
Quote:
B) indicates that as much as 18,000 pieces of floating plastic, which is resistant to natural biodegradation, have made up
• just as is the case in option A,
as much as should be
as many as• again as is the case in option A, the verb
is should be
are•
have made up should be
make up→
have made up (present perfect) is a weird choice, one that is inferior to the simple present tense,
make up.ELIMINATE B
Quote:
C) indicate that as many as 18,000 pieces of floating plastic, which is resistant to natural biodegradation, is making up
• the verb
indicate should be the verb
indicates in order to match the subject
series→
series can be singular or plural; if
series carries the singular sense of one set, it takes a singular verb.
If
series conveys the plural sense of two or more sets, it takes a plural verb.
Singular:
A series of lectures is scheduled.Plural:
Two series of lectures are scheduled: one for experts and one for laypeople.See Usage Note,
here.
Although there may be a few or many reports, from context, there is one series of reports about this disturbing problem of plastic in the ocean.
• as is the case in options A and B, the verb
is should be
are•
is making up should be
make up.→ We use simple present tense in a general statement such as this one.
ELIMINATE C
Quote:
D) indicates that as many as 18,000 pieces of floating plastic, which are resistant to natural biodegradation, make up
• I see no issues
→ series . . . indicates
→
pieces of plastic, which
are Which refers to 18,000
pieces.
→ pieces . . . make up
KEEP
Quote:
E) indicate that as many of 18,000 pieces of floating plastic, which are resistant to natural biodegradation, make up
•
indicate should be
indicates; the subject is series, singular
• as many OF is not idiomatic; as many AS is idiomatic
ELIMINATE E
The correct answer is D. • • Very short POE • •This question is difficult.
I suppose that you might try to insist that
series is plural—but other errors lead to option D, in which case
series must be singular.
• Split #1: pieces of plastic are countable
For countable nouns, we use
as many as, never
as much asEliminate A and B
• Split #2: to convey general facts, use simple present verb tense
Option C uses "is making up."
Eliminate C
• Split #3: as many OF is not idiomatic; as many AS is idiomatic
Eliminate E.
The answer is D.
COMMENTSjhavyom , welcome to SC Butler.
Kudos go to those who got the correct answer and explained well.
If you use my "short POE" reasoning, above, the answer is D irrespective of whether "series" is singular or plural.
Others get smiley faces for taking on a hard question.
Be safe, everyone.