Last visit was: 13 Dec 2024, 13:59 It is currently 13 Dec 2024, 13:59
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
sk88
Joined: 11 Jul 2009
Last visit: 23 Sep 2009
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
207
 []
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 29
Kudos: 207
 []
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
mreevit
Joined: 13 Feb 2009
Last visit: 24 Sep 2015
Posts: 261
Own Kudos:
23
 []
Given Kudos: 45
Concentration: Finance, General Management
Schools: Michigan (Ross) - Class of 2013
WE:Other (Insurance)
Schools: Michigan (Ross) - Class of 2013
Posts: 261
Kudos: 23
 []
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sk88
Joined: 11 Jul 2009
Last visit: 23 Sep 2009
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 29
Kudos: 207
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
diogoguitarrista
Joined: 06 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2013
Posts: 64
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
GMAT 1: 680 Q48 V35
Posts: 64
Kudos: 71
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mreevit
sk88
When you say "The vast majority of Ohio's residents....." is the correct verb (are) or (is)? I know that "The number of ____" is singular and "A number of ____" is plural, but I wasn't sure if that applied to The vast majority vs. A vast majority.

Plural.

The vast majority of Ohio's residents are...
In Ohio, the vast majority is...

Also See this newspaper headline.

https://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/2 ... pitalized/

Plural? :shock:
Then " the majority of the students" is plural as well, right?
User avatar
ariel
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 12 Nov 2008
Last visit: 12 Apr 2012
Posts: 352
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 45
Concentration: Corp Fin
Schools:Ross (R2), Cornell (R3) , UNC (R3) , INSEAD (R1 Jan)
 Q44  V42 GMAT 2: 710  Q47  V40
GPA: 1.87
WE 1: Advisory (2 yrs)
WE 2: FP & Analysis (2 yrs at matriculation)
Posts: 352
Kudos: 137
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATBootcamp
Joined: 26 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 33
Own Kudos:
48
 []
Given Kudos: 4
Location: Los Angeles
 Q50  V44
Posts: 33
Kudos: 48
 []
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The trick is to identify the subject of the sentence because numerical words, such as "majority," can be either plural or singular depending on the subject and the context of the sentence.

When the word "majority" refers to a group of people, it should be singular.

eg.

The majority is opposed to the decision

But when "majority" is used to indicate individual parts out of a totality, then use plural.

eg.

The majority of Ohio's residents are...

Also note "a majority of..." is used to indicate parts out of a total sum, so this should be plural

eg.

A majority of students agree...


HTH!
User avatar
agdimple333
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
Last visit: 13 Aug 2013
Posts: 226
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 20
Location: Texas
Posts: 226
Kudos: 765
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
i just came across a SC that checks the majority -

The majority of patrons of the local library, though enthusiastic about a new book mobile service, <> is unable, or either unwilling </>, to volunteer time to staff it.

is unable, or either unwilling
is either unable or unwilling
are unable, or either unwilling
are either unable or unwilling
are unable or unwilling, either way,
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 17,988
Own Kudos:
Posts: 17,988
Kudos: 902
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7156 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
234 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
14154 posts