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19 Dec 2021, 01:54
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E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
49% (01:32) correct
51%
(01:27)
wrong
based on 203
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Whereas it had been possible to at least consider the draft proposal of the directors, none of the two options of the final bargaining round were acceptable because of the bulk of the finance stipulated in the fine print depended on output.
A) none of the two options of the final bargaining round were acceptable because of
B) none of the two options by the final bargained round were acceptable because
C) neither of the two options of the final bargaining round were acceptable because
D) none of the two options in the final bargaining round was acceptable because of
E) neither of the two options during the final bargaining round was acceptable because
19 Dec 2021, 01:58
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
• QUICK POE
Split #1: when two countable items are involved (such as options), use neither, not none.
Neither is for two. None is for more than two.
Options A, B, and D incorrectly use none to refer to only two options.
Eliminate A, B, and D.
Split #2: as a standalone (without "nor"), neither is always singular
Always.
Correct: Neither of the twins is blonde.
To maintain subject/verb agreement, we need . . . neither . . . of the two options . . . was acceptable.
Eliminate C.
The correct answer is E.
• ANALYSIS
THE PROMPT
• Meaning? Agency is purposely downplayed by use of the passive voice. (In other words, passive voice is fine.)
→ While it had been possible to entertain the possibilities that the directors put forth in their draft proposal, the two options in the final bargaining round were not acceptable because the majority of the finance specified in the smaller details was dependent on output.
• Issues?
→ None vs. Neither
When two countable items are involved, use neither.
When more than two countable items are involved, use none.
Do not use none to describe only two items.
This issue is one of diction.
English has many sets of words that have essentially the same meaning, but usage differs depending on whether the sentence involves two or more than two things.
→ Better (for two) /Best (for more than two)
This one is the better of the two options.
This is the best of all the options.
Similar usage differences exist in these pairs:
-- between (two) /among (many);
-- talk to each another (two) / talk to one another (more than two);
-- choose either of the dresses (two) / choose any of the dresses (more than two, all)
In this sentence, two options are being considered. Neither is appropriate. None is not.
→ Subject/verb agreement: The word neither, standing alone (not coupled with nor) is always singular.
No exceptions.
Correct: Neither of the twins likes lima beans.
I describe additional guidelines for neither and none in Notes, below.
→ Because/because of
To join a clause, because should be used.
For example: I am thirsty because the desert air is hot and dry.
→ "The desert air is hot and dry" is a clause. It has a subject and a verb.
(Because is a subordinating conjunction that joins a dependent or subordinate clause to a main clause. Because must be followed by a clause.)
To join a noun or noun phrase, use because of.
For example: I am thirsty because of dry, hot, desert air.
→ "dry, hot, desert air" is a noun phrase. The noun air is modified by three adjectives.
(Because of is a compound preposition that joins a noun or noun phrase to the rest of the sentence. Prepositions are always followed by nouns or noun phrases.)
In this sentence, what follows because / because of? A clause or a noun?
→ The bulk of the finance [that was] stipulated in the fine print depended on output. ← ← That is a clause with a subject and a verb.
A clause is being joined, so because is correct, but because of is not.
If the sentence contained a noun phrase—say, the bulk of the output-dependent finance in the fine print—then because of would have been correct.
THE OPTIONS
→ None should not be used when discussing two options.
→ Correct: Neither of the options was acceptable.
→ Correct: Neither option was acceptable.
• Subject/verb
IF none were replaced with neither, the verb were would be incorrect. Neither is always singular.
• Because of should be because.
→ Because of, a compound preposition, should be followed by a noun. What follows here is a clause.
→ Because, on the other hand, is followed by a clause.
This is the clause that follows what should be the word because: . . . the bulk of the finance stipulated in the fine print depended on output.
Eliminate A
→ The sentence involves two options—not more than two.
→ See analysis beneath option A.
• Diction: Bargained round.
→ What on earth is a "bargained" round?
In English, we refer to the meeting during which people negotiate as the bargaining round.
• Diction: "By" is a strange choice. This issue is a tiebreaker if you need one, but not, on its own, a reason to eliminate.
→ ... the two options by the final bargained round . . .
→ Typically we would say the two options IN or OF the final round.
We would probably not say, "The two options BY the final round."
In informal speech, "by" would signal "the two options that remained by the time that the final round arrived." I don't think that "by" is being used in that sense. Nor is GMAC informal speech.
"Bargained" is wrong.
"By" is weird.
"None" is fatal.
Eliminate B
→ Correct: Neither of the parents was home.
→ Correct (and a way to remember what that first sentence is saying): Neither parent was home.
Eliminate C
• Because of should be because. See option A.
Eliminate D
• neither correctly refers to two options (neither of which was acceptable)
• the singular noun neither correctly takes the singular verb was
• because is correctly followed by a clause
KEEP
The answer is E.
Notes
NEITHER / EITHER (and neither/nor)
When they are used alone, the words neither / either = always singular.
→ Neither of the twins likes candy.
→ Either coffee or tea is acceptable.
→ Neither option is acceptable. Neither of the two options is ethical.
On the other hand, when those words are in a "word pair" (in a correlative conjunction), the noun closer to the verb controls.
That is, when we see
Neither . . . nor / Either . . . or, the verb depends on the closer preceding noun.
When neither and nor are used together, the noun closer to the verb determines whether the verb should be plural or singular.
whether the construction requires a singular or plural verb depends on the closer preceding noun, this way:
→ Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared for the tornado, but everyone is unhurt.
→ Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared for the tornado, but everyone is unhurt.
NONE - singular? Plural?
This topic is hotly contested; GMAC avoids controversy.
None can take a singular or plural verb, depending on the noun that follows none.
Guideline #1 (singular)
NONE + of the + non-count noun + singular verb
→ None of the work was finished.
Guideline # 2 (plural):
NONE + of the + plural count noun + plural verb
→ None of the children enjoy lima beans.
→ None of the cakes have been sold.
COMMENTS
ParamjitDasGMAT , VelvetThunder , and saurabh314 , welcome to SC Butler.
I am always glad to see new people; all aspirants have a standing invitation to post.
If you can explain (essentially, teach) a concept, you are likely to be able to draw on in quickly under pressure.
For the most part, I see good critical thinking, excellent analysis, and even some lively prose!
Nicely done.
Keep up the hard work.
Happy holidays.
• QUICK POE
Split #1: when two countable items are involved (such as options), use neither, not none.
Neither is for two. None is for more than two.
Options A, B, and D incorrectly use none to refer to only two options.
Eliminate A, B, and D.
Split #2: as a standalone (without "nor"), neither is always singular
Always.
Correct: Neither of the twins is blonde.
To maintain subject/verb agreement, we need . . . neither . . . of the two options . . . was acceptable.
Eliminate C.
The correct answer is E.
• ANALYSIS
THE PROMPT
Quote:
• Meaning? Agency is purposely downplayed by use of the passive voice. (In other words, passive voice is fine.)
→ While it had been possible to entertain the possibilities that the directors put forth in their draft proposal, the two options in the final bargaining round were not acceptable because the majority of the finance specified in the smaller details was dependent on output.
• Issues?
→ None vs. Neither
When two countable items are involved, use neither.
When more than two countable items are involved, use none.
Do not use none to describe only two items.
This issue is one of diction.
English has many sets of words that have essentially the same meaning, but usage differs depending on whether the sentence involves two or more than two things.
→ Better (for two) /Best (for more than two)
This one is the better of the two options.
This is the best of all the options.
Similar usage differences exist in these pairs:
-- between (two) /among (many);
-- talk to each another (two) / talk to one another (more than two);
-- choose either of the dresses (two) / choose any of the dresses (more than two, all)
In this sentence, two options are being considered. Neither is appropriate. None is not.
→ Subject/verb agreement: The word neither, standing alone (not coupled with nor) is always singular.
No exceptions.
Correct: Neither of the twins likes lima beans.
I describe additional guidelines for neither and none in Notes, below.
→ Because/because of
To join a clause, because should be used.
For example: I am thirsty because the desert air is hot and dry.
→ "The desert air is hot and dry" is a clause. It has a subject and a verb.
(Because is a subordinating conjunction that joins a dependent or subordinate clause to a main clause. Because must be followed by a clause.)
To join a noun or noun phrase, use because of.
For example: I am thirsty because of dry, hot, desert air.
→ "dry, hot, desert air" is a noun phrase. The noun air is modified by three adjectives.
(Because of is a compound preposition that joins a noun or noun phrase to the rest of the sentence. Prepositions are always followed by nouns or noun phrases.)
In this sentence, what follows because / because of? A clause or a noun?
→ The bulk of the finance [that was] stipulated in the fine print depended on output. ← ← That is a clause with a subject and a verb.
A clause is being joined, so because is correct, but because of is not.
If the sentence contained a noun phrase—say, the bulk of the output-dependent finance in the fine print—then because of would have been correct.
THE OPTIONS
Quote:
• None vs. neither
→ None should not be used when discussing two options.
→ Correct: Neither of the options was acceptable.
→ Correct: Neither option was acceptable.
• Subject/verb
IF none were replaced with neither, the verb were would be incorrect. Neither is always singular.
• Because of should be because.
→ Because of, a compound preposition, should be followed by a noun. What follows here is a clause.
→ Because, on the other hand, is followed by a clause.
This is the clause that follows what should be the word because: . . . the bulk of the finance stipulated in the fine print depended on output.
Eliminate A
Quote:
• None should be neither.
→ The sentence involves two options—not more than two.
→ See analysis beneath option A.
• Diction: Bargained round.
→ What on earth is a "bargained" round?
In English, we refer to the meeting during which people negotiate as the bargaining round.
• Diction: "By" is a strange choice. This issue is a tiebreaker if you need one, but not, on its own, a reason to eliminate.
→ ... the two options by the final bargained round . . .
→ Typically we would say the two options IN or OF the final round.
We would probably not say, "The two options BY the final round."
In informal speech, "by" would signal "the two options that remained by the time that the final round arrived." I don't think that "by" is being used in that sense. Nor is GMAC informal speech.
"Bargained" is wrong.
"By" is weird.
"None" is fatal.
Eliminate B
Quote:
• when neither is by itself (without the word "nor"), neither is always singular. The verb were should be was.
→ Correct: Neither of the parents was home.
→ Correct (and a way to remember what that first sentence is saying): Neither parent was home.
Eliminate C
Quote:
• None should be neither. See options A and B.
• Because of should be because. See option A.
Eliminate D
Quote:
• I do not see any errors
• neither correctly refers to two options (neither of which was acceptable)
• the singular noun neither correctly takes the singular verb was
• because is correctly followed by a clause
KEEP
The answer is E.
Notes
NEITHER / EITHER (and neither/nor)
When they are used alone, the words neither / either = always singular.
→ Neither of the twins likes candy.
→ Either coffee or tea is acceptable.
→ Neither option is acceptable. Neither of the two options is ethical.
On the other hand, when those words are in a "word pair" (in a correlative conjunction), the noun closer to the verb controls.
That is, when we see
Neither . . . nor / Either . . . or, the verb depends on the closer preceding noun.
When neither and nor are used together, the noun closer to the verb determines whether the verb should be plural or singular.
whether the construction requires a singular or plural verb depends on the closer preceding noun, this way:
→ Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared for the tornado, but everyone is unhurt.
→ Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared for the tornado, but everyone is unhurt.
NONE - singular? Plural?
This topic is hotly contested; GMAC avoids controversy.
None can take a singular or plural verb, depending on the noun that follows none.
Guideline #1 (singular)
NONE + of the + non-count noun + singular verb
→ None of the work was finished.
Guideline # 2 (plural):
NONE + of the + plural count noun + plural verb
→ None of the children enjoy lima beans.
→ None of the cakes have been sold.
COMMENTS
ParamjitDasGMAT , VelvetThunder , and saurabh314 , welcome to SC Butler.
I am always glad to see new people; all aspirants have a standing invitation to post.
If you can explain (essentially, teach) a concept, you are likely to be able to draw on in quickly under pressure.
For the most part, I see good critical thinking, excellent analysis, and even some lively prose!
Nicely done.
Keep up the hard work.
Happy holidays.
19 Dec 2021, 03:09
Kudos
Bookmarks
This question askes about subject-verb agreement and D corrects it.
