apoorva.srivastva Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 hii all, kindly help me in getting answers to these: The majority of students is/are smart. The majority of physics students is/are smart. A majority of students is/are smart. A majority of physics students is/are smart. A majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while traveling. The majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while traveling. IS THE USE OF VERB FORM SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE USE OF ARTICLES "A" OR "THE"...PRETTY MUCH CONFUSED KINDLY HELP IN GETTING THESE SUBJECT - VERB AGREEMENT ANSWERS. WITH REGARDS, APOORVA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex_manny Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 The numerical words "majority" can be plural or singular. When they refer to a group of people they are singular. Else you need to see the context. If you are using individual parts of the totality use plural - source MGMAT eg. The majority IS (singular) opposed to the decision In the ones you cite The majority of students is/are smart. I would go with "are" The majority of students is plURAL The majority of physics students is/are smart. Same as above Incorrect: The majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while traveling. Again it should be plural hence Correct: The majority of railway commuters read or listen to music while traveling. A majority of, also takes plural verb. eg. A majority of students AGREE with .... So in your case A majority of students is/are smart. although idiomatically, I would prefer The majority of students A majority of railway commuters READ or LISTEN to music while traveling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apoorva.srivastva Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 thanks a ton buddy.. well one more thing can u please tell me where can i locate the GMAT CR bible on the net for free downlosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex_manny Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 It is on ensips.com. Just do a search for GMAT CR bible. You should see a pdf by lehang. I downloaded it some days back. I think that stuff is for someone who wants to do a PhD in CR :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiranlegend Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 new point here:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apoorva.srivastva Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 ohkk buddy thanks or the info:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bose Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 agree with flex on the majority question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diehard800 Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 hey everbody is after that CR buble ........whats that ..........does it really helps............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apoorva.srivastva Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 i have just downloaded it...havent gone thru it..looks like a phd book on CR as rightly said by flex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrisa07 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 A majority of railway commuters READ or LISTEN to music while traveling. That example is from Manhattan SC and their correct answer for the sentence above is actually "singular verb form": A majority of railway commuters READS and LISTENS to music while traveling. I do agree with Manhattan's answer, as I believe "a majority" means the totality itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex_manny Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I think this was just left over from the original post. I generally copy the original post and reply. Hence that was left as a "dangling" sentence :) "A majority of railway commuters READ or LISTEN to music while traveling." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmdgirish Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 So Flex/Marissa , whats the final word on this. Can we conclude that 'The majority of.... ' would be plural while 'A majority of....' will be singular ? Kinda confused here . Pls help. Thanks. -Regards, Girish Malik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.