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Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the 05 Oct 2022, 10:36
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I understand that D is the only correct option. But what about an agreement between "a single set" and "run"? Does it have to be 'runs' to comply with a singular subject?
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Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the 08 Oct 2022, 05:15
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In the original question (OG2022- Wiley efficient learning application), the correct choice (official answer) is D with a significant difference that made it difficult for me to choose the correct option. Option D is stated as " which has a single set of strings that RUNS parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpischord has several sets of strings". Is it a typo??
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Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the 09 Oct 2022, 08:04
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Akhilleus
I understand that D is the only correct option. But what about an agreement between "a single set" and "run"? Does it have to be 'runs' to comply with a singular subject?
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You're right, "run" doesn't work with "set." Because the verb is plural, "that run parallel to the front edge" MUST modify a plural noun.

Luckily, there's a plural noun (strings) right next to the noun modifier ("that run parallel..."). And since the strings themselves can certainly run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the modifier and its verb make perfect sense.

You'll find more on this point earlier in the thread:

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Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the 10 Oct 2022, 01:12
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Athena22
In the original question (OG2022- Wiley efficient learning application), the correct choice (official answer) is D with a significant difference that made it difficult for me to choose the correct option. Option D is stated as " which has a single set of strings that RUNS parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpischord has several sets of strings". Is it a typo??
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You're onto something here. Every other GMAC publication containing this problem has "run" in choice D.

Perhaps surprisingly, though, the difference doesn't affect the integrity of the problem—Choice D is still a perfectly workable version of the sentence.

If you don't understand why, just picture the inside of the virginal. Somewhere in there, you'll find a bunch of strings that are all parallel to one of the outer (probably wooden) edges of the whole thing—and therefore also parallel to one another.
The following descriptions are, therefore, indistinguishable:
• The strings run parallel to one edge of the instrument.
• The whole set of strings runs parallel to one edge of the instrument.
Both of these describe exactly the same situation, because an entire set of parallel lines runs in the same direction as each of the individual lines.
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Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the 22 Oct 2023, 07:13
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