Question

In February Japan’s manufacturing output expanded by as many as 1 percent, making it 3 percent high than a year earlier. A. by as many as 1 percent, B. by as few as 1 percent, C. by as many than 1 percent, D. by so much as 1 percent, E. by as much as 1 percent

Short answer

E. by as much as 1 percent

Step-by-step solution

- Understanding the Context

The first step is to comprehend the context of the sentence. The sentence describes an increase in Japan’s manufacturing output by a certain percentage in February.

- Identify Correct Comparison

Identify how the increase is being described relative to 'as many as' in terms of its appropriateness. The phrase 'as many as' correctly quantifies the percentage increase.

- Eliminate Incorrect Choices

Eliminate choices one by one: 'as few as' suggests decrease or small number, which is incorrect (B); 'as many than' is grammatically incorrect (C); 'so much as' doesn't fit well in this context (D). Finally, 'as much as' can be used to describe quantities and degrees, fitting correctly (E).

- Confirm the Correct Choice

After eliminating the incorrect choices, the remaining choices are A and E. Both 'by as many as 1 percent' and 'by as much as 1 percent' could be correct, but 'as much as' is more commonly used to describe increases in percentage.

Key concepts

grammar rules

Understanding grammar rules is crucial for mastering GMAT sentence correction. In the given exercise, we need to pay attention to the grammatical structure and choose the phrase that makes the sentence most effective. Grammar rules dictate that when comparing quantities or degrees, certain phrases should be used. For example:

• 'as many as' is used to compare countable items.
• 'as much as' is used to compare uncountable quantities or degrees.
• 'as few as' and 'so much as' may sometimes sound awkward, and are often less appropriate choices.

By understanding these rules, it becomes easier to choose the correct answer. In this specific sentence related to percentage increase, 'as much as' fits better because percentage is considered an uncountable quantity.

comparison phrases

Comparison phrases help us express increases or differences in quantity, size, or degree. If we look at the phrase 'increased by as many as 1 percent,' we must assess its compatibility in context.

• 'by as many as' quantifies an increase in countable items, like apples or books.
• 'by as few as' might suggest a small number but doesn't fit in this context as we're discussing an increase.
• 'by so much as' is less precise and often not used in academic or formal contexts.

Therefore, in the exercise, 'by as much as' correctly quantifies the percentage increase because percentages are viewed as degrees of change, not countable items. Proper use of comparison phrases ensures clarity and precision.

percentage increase

Percentage increase measures how much a quantity grows relative to its original amount. In terms of grammar, it's essential to use appropriate expressions to quantify these changes.

Let's break down this specific example:

Japan’s manufacturing output expanded by 1 percent in February, making it 3 percent higher than the previous year. Here, we are dealing with a growth or increase in percentages, which falls under uncountable quantities.

Common correct phrases include:

• 'increased by X percent,' which ties directly to the change.
• 'expanded by as much as X percent,' indicating the degree of increase.
• Correct usage avoids misleading the reader about the nature or amount of change.

Properly identifying and describing percentage increases ensures you convey the correct degree of growth or change in any provided data.