Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
vaivish1723 wrote:
Three out of every four automobile owners in the United States also own a bicycle.
(A) Three out of every four automobile owners in the United States also own a bicycle.
(B) Out of every four, three automobile owners in the United States also owns a bicycle.
(C) Bicycles are owned by three out of every four owners of automobiles in the United States.
(D) In the United States, three out of every four automobile owners owns bicycles.
(E) Out of every four owners of automobiles in the United States, bicycles are also owned by three.
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own a bicycle, in addition to owning an automobile.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Awkwardness/RedundancyA: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun “owners” with the plural verb “own”. Further, Option A uses the phrase “also own a bicycle”, conveying the intended meaning – that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own a
single bicycle,
specifically, in addition to owning an automobile. Additionally, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun “owners” with the singular verb “owns”. Further, Option B uses the passive construction “Out of every four, three automobile owners”, rendering it needlessly indirect.
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “are owned”; the omission of the word “also” incorrectly conveys
only that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own a bicycle; the intended meaning is that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own a bicycle,
specifically, in addition to owning an automobile. Further, Option C uses the passive construction “Bicycles are owned by”, rendering it awkward and redundant.
D: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun “owners” with the singular verb “owns”. Further, Option D alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “owns bicycles”; the omission of the word “also” and the plural noun "bicycles" incorrectly convey
only that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own
multiple bicycles; the intended meaning is that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own a
single bicycle,
specifically, in addition to owning an automobile.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the word "bicycles"; the use of the plural noun incorrectly implies that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own
multiple bicycles; the intended meaning is that three out of every four automobile owners in the United States own a
single bicycle, in addition to owning an automobile. Further, Option E uses the passive construction “bicycles are also owned by”, rendering it awkward and redundant.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team