2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than

Question

2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

A. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

B. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.

C. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than in any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.

D. 2009 had lesser new buyers of individual life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

E. 2009 had lesser new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

Can anyone please explain this problem ?

Thansk
Voodoo

sudhir18n · Answer

Ok.. I know the answer is B and I don't agree with aristotle explanation (C) of using "in" is wrong. I'm sure this not the right way of POE.

144144 · Answer

39.  2009  had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since  Limca , a
market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.
A. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.
B.  2009  had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since  1988  when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
C. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than  in  any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
D. 2009 had  lesser  new buyers of individual life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.
E. 2009 had  lesser  new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

C - not ||
D,E - Lesser.
A,B - B is more simple and clear.

daagh · Answer

I will rule out Choices B and C on the single count that they are using a singular demonstrative pronoun  this  to modify a plural noun  data . A demonstrative pronoun is used when you can physically point your fingers at rather than when you report. Of course D and E are out for obvious reasons. This leaves A. Any response?

144144 · Answer

yup. missed that.. good job! +1

jamifahad · Answer

2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a
market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988. 
A. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.
B. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
C. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than in any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
D. 2009 had lesser new buyers of individual life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

B. I think it represents fact in a better chronological way. 2009-->less buyer--->than any year since 1998--->when limca began tracking.

C. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than in any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data. 
Also, if option C were,  " In 2009, there were fewer buyers of life insurance than in any year"  would that have been correct?

contacttoakhil · Answer

A,D and E are out. Between B and C the difference is of "in"...C would have been correct if it were:

In 2009 there were......than in any year ....

Choice B does not seem to be obvious but its the one that is better among the provided choices.

2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since 1988     when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.

garimavyas · Answer

i dont agree with the OA here . comparison is not right in B

sguptashared · Answer

Which answer should be correct in your opinion? I think B is the best among all.

RivaM · Answer

I came across an article In NY times when i googled this question!! (Check out the 4th para) I think the answer is indeed B

ctkrishnan · Answer

Data is a mass noun.. https://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/is ... lural.aspx

agdimple333 · Answer

i dont think data is plural... its collective noun. so B is indeed best of all.

mayansd · Answer

data is grammatically plural of the word datum. Though it depends on usage whether data is treated as singular or plural, GMAT treats data as plural.

WishMasterUA · Answer

I think to use "in" is not parallel to "2009"

getgyan · Answer

2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988 .

A. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.
B. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
C. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than in any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
D. 2009 had lesser new buyers of individual life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.
E. 2009 had lesser new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since Limca, a market research firm, began tracking the data in 1988.

getgyan · Answer

Why is "in any year" incorrect. Please enlighten me. :-D

daagh · Answer

Comparison is between 2009, ( a year) and another year and not between a year and in any year.

prep · Answer

Doesn't this mean: 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than the buyers in any year?
or 2009 had fewer buyers when compared to those in any year?

Please explain..

fameatop · Answer

Hi Daagh,

I have slightly different view on this. I think the comparison is between "No of New Policy holder in 2009" & "No of New Policy holder in any other year" instead of two different years as pointed out by you.

Kindly let me know, If this is incorrect.

PrashantPonde · Answer

Dear fameatop, 
The comparison here is between 'year 2009' and 'any year since 1988'. These years are being compared 'for' number of new individual buyers. This problem tests understanding of both comparison and parallelism.

Lets compare below two choices concerning above discussions:

B. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
 -- This choice is correct. year 2009 is compared with year (any year since 1988). Also 'Since' is correctly followed by 1988, instead of Limca.

C. 2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than in any year since 1988 when Limca, a market research firm, began tracking this data.
 -- This construction violates parallelism. Year 2009 is compared with "in any year" is  not in parallel . Year 2009 is acting as a subject here. However if you alter the sentence by making Limca as subject, then you can use 'in year' construction, as below: 
 e.g.  Limca  had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance   in year 2009   than   in any year   since 1988.

2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than

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2009 had fewer new individual buyers of life insurance than

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