The contractor and the engineer agree on the cause of the bridge failu

Question

The contractor and the engineer agree on the cause of the bridge failure, but both blame the other.

(A) both blame the other
(B) each blames the other
(C) each blame the other person
(D) both are blaming the other
(E) each blames one another

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sayantanc2k · Accepted Answer

Yes, your interpretation is correct; the subject has to be plural. However there is a small error in your explanation.

The phrase "one another" is used when there are more than 2 entities involves in the interaction. When there are just 2 entities involved, we use "each other".

The players shook hands with one another. (when the number of players is more than 2)
The players shook hands with each other. (when the number of players is exactly 2)

dentobizz · Answer

This the original question  :

The contractor and the engineer agree on the cause of the bridge failure, but  both blame the other .
a]both blame the other
b]each blames the other
c]each blame the other person
d]both are blaming the other
e]each blames one another

A- Blame the other means-- both engineer and contractor are blaming someone else 
 B-correct 
C-Blame  plural verb  S-V disagreement (each takes singular verb)
D-same as A both engineer and contractor are blaming someone else
E-one another is used when there are more than two people involved

Concept: 
Reciprocal pronoun like Each-other is used when there are  2 people  involved and 
when there are more than 2 people involved pronoun  one-another  is used
HTH

IMPORTANT :  Reproduce the question in the correct form along with options and 
 Is this actually a Exam-pack question?  
It was discussed on other forms way back in 2007/8 Check  here

mejia401 · Answer

A. both blame the other  "both" is not the correct quantifier for individuals; thus, the sentence is illogical. Is there a third person? 
B. each blames the other  OK - subject and verb are singular, and the "other" refers to not himself or herself. 
C. each blame the other person  "blame" is plural form, but "each" must have singular predicate 
D. both are blaming the other  "both" is not the correct quantifier for each individual 
E. each blames one another  "one another" indicates interaction between two parties, thus making the predicate illogical.

annays · Answer

Hi mejia, in your explanation of E, I don't understand why "one another" is wrong, as the original sentence does talk about interactions of two persons.

jameswangmz · Answer

Hi annays, here is my thought on E.

Since "one another" emphasizes the interaction of 2 persons, the subject should be plural. I guess "both blame one another" makes more sense.

I'm not a native speaker, and someone tell me if I'm wrong please.

tae808 · Answer

I think GMAT may disagree with the sentences you used for example.
This is what I read on OG 16 page 768, explaining a SC question number 124.
 " The subject and the verb agree with one another , but the placement of the modifier.........."

I'm guessing if the subject is plural then it's ok to use "one another".
Can someone clarify this again?

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

I can't say for sure that the GMAT ever tests the distinction between "each other" and "one another," but both of those phrases requires a plural subject:

They blame each other.
They blame one another.

I can say "My boss and I blame each other  ," but I can't say "I blame one another and so does my boss."

sashiim20 · Answer

A) both blame the other -------- (Incorrect) C) each blame the other person -------- (Incorrect) D) both are blaming the other -------- (Incorrect) E) each blames one another -------- (Incorrect) B) each blames the other ------- (Correct) "Each" is singular hence singular "blames" should be used. "each---other" is used for two things/persons. "one another" for more than two. In the sentence there are just two people contractor and engineer. Hence "each --- other" is the correct form. Answer (B)... Hope its clear now.

_________________ Please Press "+1 Kudos" to appreciate.

NandishSS · Answer

HI  Abhi077  ,  nightblade354

Please add the tag as GMATPrep EP1

AbhishekDhanraJ72 · Answer

Option (E) each blames one other. 
Why everyone is explaining one another instead of one other, which is what written in question.
Some one explain why option (E) each blames one other is wrong?

Posted from my mobile device

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  AbhishekDhanraJ72 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, "one another" is used in reference to groups of more than two; for groups of two, "the other" is correct, as in any group there will be only one other to refer to.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

AbhishekDhanraJ72 · Answer

So why E is wrong? Even E uses other.

AbhishekDhanraJ72 · Answer

Hi option E is wrongly typed one other insted of one another. Please someone correct the question.

Posted from my mobile device

Bunuel · Answer

__________________________
Fixed the typo. Thank you!

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: 
Understanding the intended meaning of this sentence is crucial to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that the contractor blames the engineer, and the engineer blames the contractor.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Tenses + Pronouns

• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. 
• The simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.
• "one another” is used to refer to two elements, and “each other” is used to refer to two elements.

A: 
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "both blame the other"; the construction of this clause incorrectly implies that the contractor and the engineer both blame a third, "other" party; the intended meaning is that the contractor blames the engineer, and the engineer blames the contractor.

B:   Correct. 
1/ This answer choice correctly refers to the singular pronoun "each" with the singular verb "blames".
2/ Option B uses the clause "each blames the other", conveying the intended meaning - that the contractor blames the engineer, and the engineer blames the contractor.
3/ Option B correctly uses the simple present tense verb "blames" to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame. 
4/ Option B correctly uses "the other" to refer to two elements.

C: 
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular pronoun "each" with the plural verb "blame".
2/ Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "blame the other"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the contractor and the engineer both blame a third, "other" party; the intended meaning is that the contractor blames the engineer, and the engineer blames the contractor.

D: 
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "both are blaming the other"; the construction of this clause incorrectly implies that the contractor and the engineer both blame a third, "other" party; the intended meaning is that the contractor blames the engineer, and the engineer blames the contractor.
2/ Option D incorrectly uses the simple present continuous tense verb "are blaming" to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame; remember, the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature, and the simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.

E: 
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses "one another" to refer to two elements; remember, "one another” is used to refer to two elements, and “each other” is used to refer to two elements.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATNTtugB9fM

To understand the concept of "Simple Continuous Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fndw1N0nWXw

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

SaurabhPatil20 · Answer

A - the meaning of the sentence can be construed as 'both' engineer and contractor are trying to blame a third party

B - Correct

C- Wordy and also 'each' is singular. The verb 'blame' should have the singular form.

D - Same reason as A

E - 'one another' is used for more than two entities

VerbalBot · Answer

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