Winship estimates that the three largest carriers - Delta, United, and

Question

Winship estimates that the three largest carriers - Delta, United, and American - each  generate roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles to  hotels, rental-car companies, and others offering points-for-miles to their customers

A) generate roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles to
B) generates roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles to
C) from the sale of frequent-flier miles generates roughly $1 billion annually per year,
D) from the sale of frequent-flier miles generate roughly $1 billion annually for
E) generate roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles,

Aswin12 · Accepted Answer

This question tries to confuse us with the word "each" . Each when used before the subject ("each of the three largest carriers" is singular subject) makes the subject singular but when each follows the subject as in this case it does not change the subject to singular .The subject remains plural

Winship estimates that the three largest carriers - Delta, United, and American - each generate roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles to hotels, rental-car companies, and others offering points-for-miles to their customers

A) generate roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles to -  Correct answer 
B) generates roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles to -  Singular verb (generates) is wrong in this case because the subject is carriers(plural) 
C) from the sale of frequent-flier miles generates roughly $1 billion annually per year, -  Same error as Option B 
D) from the sale of frequent-flier miles generate roughly $1 billion annually for -  Changes meaning . These carriers dont generate money for hotels  
E) generate roughly $1 billion annually from the sale of frequent-flier miles,  Changes meaning carriers dont generate money by selling hotels rental car companies etc.

KarishmaB · Answer

When 'each' acts as an adjective and comes before the noun, we usually use a singular noun.
For example 
Each carrier generates $1 billion.

When each acts as an adjective and comes after a plural subject, the verb is plural.
The carriers each generate $1 billion.

The carriers sell the frequent flier miles to businesses offering points-for-miles to their customers. 
Option (E) implies that they generate $1 billion from the sale of miles, hotels, car rental companies etc. But the carriers are not the ones selling hotels etc. They are selling frequent flier miles to hotels etc. Hence, (E) is incorrect. 
 
They also don't generate the $1 billion FOR hotels etc. They generate this money for themselves by selling to the hotels etc. Hence, (D) is incorrect too.

Answer (A)

AnkithaSrinivas · Answer

each is followed by singular verb. It should be generates..

between B and C - C is redundant annually per year

Answer is B

gmat1188 · Answer

"Each" is singular and must follow a singular verb generates.

Can anyone please help here ?

Aswin12 · Answer

Hi  gmat1188 ,

This question tries to confuse us with the word "each" . Each when used before the subject ("each of the three largest carriers" is singular subject) makes the subject singular but when each follows the subject as in this case it does not change the subject to singular .The subject remains plural.

Regards
Aswin Dinesh

Mananjain · Answer

I am still not clear with the explanation for using plural after 'each'. Can experts please explain?

RaevMayfly · Answer

I eliminated options B and C because later in the sentence: 'their customers' is mentioned, meaning the subject still remains plural. Hence 'generate' should be correct. 
Between A, D and E, D can be safely eliminated because it sounds like 'the three largest carriers' are from 'sale of frequent-flier miles'.
E can be eliminated because it twists the meaning of the prompt. The original meaning is that 'carriers sell X (product) to A, B, and C'. Option A encapsulated this meaning perfectly.

KhushbooHussain · Answer

GMATNinja ,  mikemcgarry ,  daagh ,  VeritasKarishma 
Please help with this question.

Shiwani14393 · Answer

Each of the trucks is red in colour- this sentence is correct, here subject is each which is singular and verb 'is' is singular too.
The trucks each are red in color. 
Here the subject is trucks and hence verb 'are' is plural.

Each before subject makes the subject singular but each after subject never changes the singulairty or plurality of the subject.

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VerbalBot · Answer

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Winship estimates that the three largest carriers - Delta, United, and

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Winship estimates that the three largest carriers - Delta, United, and

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