Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 06:00 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 06:00
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
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.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
AkshdeepS
User avatar
Joined: 13 Apr 2013
Last visit: 07 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,436
Own Kudos:
1,884
 [22]
Given Kudos: 1,002
Status:It's near - I can see.
Location: India
Concentration: International Business, Operations
GPA: 3.01
WE:Engineering (Real Estate)
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 1,436
Kudos: 1,884
 [22]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 19 Sep 2016, 00:20
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
21
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

65% (hard)

Question Stats:

43% (01:15) correct 57% (01:18) wrong based on 463 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have created a supersized version of the 19th century spoils system.

A) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have

B) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government has

C) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government have

D) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government has

E) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many modern day government has
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
B
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
msk0657
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 26 Nov 2012
Last visit: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 456
Own Kudos:
557
 [6]
Given Kudos: 46
Posts: 456
Kudos: 557
 [6]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 19 Sep 2016, 04:50
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
goenkashreya
When you use many A 'something singular' = plural

eg. Many a man = Many men.

Please clarify
Show more


Many a/an... is used to indicate a large number of something. It takes a singular noun, which can be followed by a singular verb.

Many a politician has cheated the people. [Politician and has are singular.]

Many men - always plural...

Hope it helps...
General Discussion
User avatar
msk0657
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 26 Nov 2012
Last visit: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 456
Own Kudos:
557
 [1]
Given Kudos: 46
Posts: 456
Kudos: 557
 [1]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 19 Sep 2016, 01:34
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATantidote
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have created a supersized version of the 19th century spoils system.

A) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have

B) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government has

C) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government have

D) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government has

E) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many modern day government has
Show more

Took time for B and E...

Meaning : Modern day government has created a supervised version to promote the agenda.

A) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have -

Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda has to modify the modern day government and till here it is correct but here modern day government has to be single

B) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government has -Correct

C) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government have - Under something modern day government is wrong

D) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government has - explanation as C

E) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many modern day government has[/quote] - many modern day government has to be plural
User avatar
goenkashreya
User avatar
Joined: 29 Apr 2014
Last visit: 26 Mar 2021
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 7
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: IE Jan"17 (A) Kellogg MMM '20 (D) CBS J-Term'20 (II) Cornell Tech"20 (A$)
GMAT 1: 710 Q46 V41
GMAT 2: 700 Q48 V37
Schools: IE Jan"17 (A) Kellogg MMM '20 (D) CBS J-Term'20 (II) Cornell Tech"20 (A$)
GMAT 2: 700 Q48 V37
Posts: 23
Kudos: 12
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 19 Sep 2016, 04:28
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
When you use many A 'something singular' = plural

eg. Many a man = Many men.

Please clarify
User avatar
jedit
User avatar
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 07 Sep 2021
Posts: 202
Own Kudos:
381
Given Kudos: 854
Schools: Stanford '20 HBS '20 Sloan '20
GPA: 3.57
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Stanford '20 HBS '20 Sloan '20
Posts: 202
Kudos: 381
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 06 Feb 2018, 02:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
clarification required on idiomatic use of many a government, does it take a singular verb or plural.
User avatar
gmatexam439
User avatar
Moderator
Joined: 28 Mar 2017
Last visit: 18 Oct 2024
Posts: 1,064
Own Kudos:
2,159
 [2]
Given Kudos: 200
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: McDonough '21 (A$) Jones '21 (A$) Kelley '23 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
GPA: 4
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: McDonough '21 (A$) Jones '21 (A$) Kelley '23 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
Posts: 1,064
Kudos: 2,159
 [2]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 07 Feb 2018, 12:44
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
QZ
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have created a supersized version of the 19th century spoils system.

A) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government have

B) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day government has

C) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government have

D) Under a conservative agenda of promotion, many a modern day government has

E) Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many modern day government has
Show more

GMATNinja - Sire I am learning about this singularity issue for the first time. Is "many a government" singular? Please elucidate.
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 7,443
Own Kudos:
69,783
 [4]
Given Kudos: 2,060
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,443
Kudos: 69,783
 [4]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 07 Feb 2018, 21:12
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hm, this doesn't look at all like a real GMAT question. Just a friendly reminder: please please please always include the source when you're posting a new question!!

A quick google search reveals that this is a bizarro ripoff of a 2007 Paul Krugman article in the NY Times Here's the original sentence: "...under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, the Bush administration has created a supersized version of the 19th-century spoils system."

So the ripoff artist responsible for this question just swapped out "the Bush administration" with "many a modern day government." And I've never seen that particular colloquialism on the GMAT, and I really don't think you should waste any time thinking about it. I've never heard anybody under the age of 90 say anything like that, and I'd be shocked if you ever see it on the GMAT.

But for whatever it's worth: "many a _____" basically means "a large number of _____" So "many a modern day government" would be singular, in theory.

But again, if you ever use that expression in normal conversation with an American, you'll probably earn a confused look. :)

I hope this helps!
User avatar
gmatexam439
User avatar
Moderator
Joined: 28 Mar 2017
Last visit: 18 Oct 2024
Posts: 1,064
Own Kudos:
2,159
 [1]
Given Kudos: 200
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: McDonough '21 (A$) Jones '21 (A$) Kelley '23 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
GPA: 4
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: McDonough '21 (A$) Jones '21 (A$) Kelley '23 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
Posts: 1,064
Kudos: 2,159
 [1]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 08 Feb 2018, 10:34
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja
Hm, this doesn't look at all like a real GMAT question. Just a friendly reminder: please please please always include the source when you're posting a new question!!

A quick google search reveals that this is a bizarro ripoff of a 2007 Paul Krugman article in the NY Times Here's the original sentence: "...under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, the Bush administration has created a supersized version of the 19th-century spoils system."

So the ripoff artist responsible for this question just swapped out "the Bush administration" with "many a modern day government." And I've never seen that particular colloquialism on the GMAT, and I really don't think you should waste any time thinking about it. I've never heard anybody under the age of 90 say anything like that, and I'd be shocked if you ever see it on the GMAT.

But for whatever it's worth: "many a _____" basically means "a large number of _____" So "many a modern day government" would be singular, in theory.

But again, if you ever use that expression in normal conversation with an American, you'll probably earn a confused look. :)

I hope this helps!
Show more

Thank you for the quick reply GMATNinja.

But I have 1 further doubt: isn't "a large number of___" plural ?
Example: A large number of people ARE sitting in the park.
Example: A large number of ducks ARE floating on the water.

Basically "a number" is plural while "the number" is singular. I am confused by your statement above sire. Please throw some light on this doubt.

Regards
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 7,443
Own Kudos:
69,783
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2,060
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,443
Kudos: 69,783
 [2]
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 08 Feb 2018, 11:58
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatexam439
GMATNinja
Hm, this doesn't look at all like a real GMAT question. Just a friendly reminder: please please please always include the source when you're posting a new question!!

A quick google search reveals that this is a bizarro ripoff of a 2007 Paul Krugman article in the NY Times Here's the original sentence: "...under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, the Bush administration has created a supersized version of the 19th-century spoils system."

So the ripoff artist responsible for this question just swapped out "the Bush administration" with "many a modern day government." And I've never seen that particular colloquialism on the GMAT, and I really don't think you should waste any time thinking about it. I've never heard anybody under the age of 90 say anything like that, and I'd be shocked if you ever see it on the GMAT.

But for whatever it's worth: "many a _____" basically means "a large number of _____" So "many a modern day government" would be singular, in theory.

But again, if you ever use that expression in normal conversation with an American, you'll probably earn a confused look. :)

I hope this helps!

Thank you for the quick reply GMATNinja.

But I have 1 further doubt: isn't "a large number of___" plural ?
Example: A large number of people ARE sitting in the park.
Example: A large number of ducks ARE floating on the water.

Basically "a number" is plural while "the number" is singular. I am confused by your statement above sire. Please throw some light on this doubt.

Regards
Show more
Oops, my fault -- yes, you're exactly right! I meant to write "the large number of", not "a large number of." "A large number of (plural noun)..." always takes a plural verb; "THE large number of (plural noun)..." always takes a singular.

I'm sort of tempted to edit my original post, but let's leave it in its typoed glory. Especially since this question is flawed enough that the thread probably deserves retirement, anyway. ;)
User avatar
gmatexam439
User avatar
Moderator
Joined: 28 Mar 2017
Last visit: 18 Oct 2024
Posts: 1,064
Own Kudos:
2,159
Given Kudos: 200
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: McDonough '21 (A$) Jones '21 (A$) Kelley '23 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
GPA: 4
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: McDonough '21 (A$) Jones '21 (A$) Kelley '23 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
Posts: 1,064
Kudos: 2,159
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 08 Feb 2018, 12:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja
gmatexam439
GMATNinja
Hm, this doesn't look at all like a real GMAT question. Just a friendly reminder: please please please always include the source when you're posting a new question!!

A quick google search reveals that this is a bizarro ripoff of a 2007 Paul Krugman article in the NY Times Here's the original sentence: "...under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, the Bush administration has created a supersized version of the 19th-century spoils system."

So the ripoff artist responsible for this question just swapped out "the Bush administration" with "many a modern day government." And I've never seen that particular colloquialism on the GMAT, and I really don't think you should waste any time thinking about it. I've never heard anybody under the age of 90 say anything like that, and I'd be shocked if you ever see it on the GMAT.

But for whatever it's worth: "many a _____" basically means "a large number of _____" So "many a modern day government" would be singular, in theory.

But again, if you ever use that expression in normal conversation with an American, you'll probably earn a confused look. :)

I hope this helps!

Thank you for the quick reply GMATNinja.

But I have 1 further doubt: isn't "a large number of___" plural ?
Example: A large number of people ARE sitting in the park.
Example: A large number of ducks ARE floating on the water.

Basically "a number" is plural while "the number" is singular. I am confused by your statement above sire. Please throw some light on this doubt.

Regards
Oops, my fault -- yes, you're exactly right! I meant to write "the large number of", not "a large number of." "A large number of (plural noun)..." always takes a plural verb; "THE large number of (plural noun)..." always takes a singular.

I'm sort of tempted to edit my original post, but let's leave it in its typoed glory. Especially since this question is flawed enough that the thread probably deserves retirement, anyway. ;)
Show more

hahaha I am in the same boat as you are on this one :lol: .....
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 18,832
Own Kudos:
986
Posts: 18,832
Kudos: 986
Under the guise of promoting a conservative agenda, many a modern day 04 Jul 2025, 05:54
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:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7443 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
231 posts
miag
188 posts