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DeepthyK
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Sentence Correction_Clarification 20 Apr 2016, 03:46
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Hi Team,

I found this question from one of the free GMAT resources.

Pharmaceuticals, despite facing an ongoing innovation challenge, ranks as one of the most profitable industries in a recent study, surpassed only by internet and network services.


ranks as one of the most profitable industries in a recent study, surpassed only

rank as one of the most profitable industries in a recent study, only surpassed

has the rank of the most profitable industries in a recent study, only surpassed

are one of the most profitable industries in a recent study, surpassed only

have been ranked as one of the most profitable industries in a recent study, only surpassed

Is the word Pharmaceuticals in this sentence considered singular or plural? If it is considered singular , as prescribed in the resource,is it correct to consider Pharmaceuticals industry as the subject of the sentence?
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Abhishek009
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Sentence Correction_Clarification 01 May 2016, 03:20
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OE from GMAT FREE

In our universal test of subject and verb, we have "pharmaceuticals" and "ranks," which are respectively the subject and verb of the sentence. "Ranks" is grammatically singular. Is "pharmaceuticals" grammatically singular or plural?

The imaginary author of this sentence is talking about an industry, which is "pharmaceuticals." So it's grammatically singular, contrary to its sound. That means the sentence doesn't have any obvious error as written.

Correct Answer according to GMAT FREE is (A)

Similar OG Question

diabetes-together-with-its-serious-complications-ranks-21132.html

Hope this helps

Abhishek