Question

We went to the shops but only went into the one that were advertising special offers. A. We went to the shops but only went into the one that were advertising special offers. B. We went to the shops but only went into the shop that were advertising special offers. C. We went to the shops but only went into ones that were advertising special offers. D. We went to the shops but only went into won that was offering special offers. E. We went to the shops but only went into everyone that was offering special offers.

Short answer

The correct answer is C.

Step-by-step solution

- Analyzing the subject and verb agreement

Look for the correct subject and verb agreement in each sentence. The correct answer should have the subject (singular/plural) matching with the verb. Identify if the subject 'shop' or 'shops' is singular or plural and choose the correct verb form accordingly.

- Evaluate Option A

Option A: 'We went to the shops but only went into the one that were advertising special offers.' The subject 'one' is singular but the verb 'were' is plural. This is incorrect.

- Evaluate Option B

Option B: 'We went to the shops but only went into the shop that were advertising special offers.' The subject 'shop' is singular but the verb 'were' is plural. This is incorrect.

- Evaluate Option C

Option C: 'We went to the shops but only went into ones that were advertising special offers.' The subject 'ones' is plural and the verb 'were' is plural. This option has the correct subject-verb agreement.

- Evaluate Option D

Option D: 'We went to the shops but only went into won that was offering special offers.' The word 'won' is incorrectly used instead of 'one' and it disrupts the logic and grammar of the sentence. This is incorrect.

- Evaluate Option E

Option E: 'We went to the shops but only went into everyone that was offering special offers.' 'Everyone' is incorrect in this context because it should refer to single entities like 'shop(s)' rather than 'everyone'. This is incorrect.

Key concepts

Subject-Verb Agreement

In English grammar, ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number is crucial. This means that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
In the original exercise, we can see mistakes due to incorrect subject-verb agreement:

• Option A: 'one' is singular but 'were' is plural.
• Option B: 'shop' is singular but 'were' is plural.
• Option C: 'ones' is plural and 'were' is plural, which is correct.

Checking subject-verb agreement can help spot errors quickly and effectively.
Remember:

• If the subject is singular ('one', 'shop'), the verb must also be singular ('was').
• If the subject is plural ('ones', 'shops'), the verb must be plural ('were').

Grammar Correction

Effective grammar correction involves identifying errors and understanding why they are incorrect.
The exercise helps demonstrate common grammatical errors and their corrections:

• Option A: Incorrect subject-verb agreement ('one that were').
• Option B: Same issue as Option A ('shop that were').
• Option D: Incorrect word usage ('won that was').
• Option E: Misuse of 'everyone' which should not refer to shops ('everyone that was').

Correcting grammar is not just about knowing the rules but also about applying them in context.
Practice editing sentences regularly to become proficient in spotting and correcting such mistakes.
With time, recognizing and fixing grammatical issues will become more intuitive and straightforward.

Sentence Evaluation

Evaluating sentences requires understanding their structure and meaning.
Here's how to approach sentence evaluation:
1. Identify the subject and verb in the sentence.
2. Check for agreement in number (singular/plural).
3. Consider the context and meaning of the sentence.
In the given exercise, sentences were analyzed for subject-verb agreement and context. Let's revisit Option D as an example:
The sentence 'went into won that was offering special offers' contains 'won' instead of 'one', which disrupts the sentence's logic and meaning.
It’s crucial to evaluate sentences holistically to ensure they convey the intended message correctly.
Make sure every word fits logically and grammatically in the sentence's structure.

Test Strategies

When preparing for exams like the GMAT, effective test strategies can make a significant difference. Here are some tips:

• Read Questions Carefully: Ensure you understand what each question is asking.
• Identify Errors Quickly: Develop the skill to swiftly spot common errors like subject-verb disagreement or incorrect word usage.
• Practice Regularly: Regular practice with exercises and sample questions helps solidify your understanding and improve your speed.
• Time Management: Practice under timed conditions to get used to the pace required in real testing scenarios.
• Review Answers: Always review your answers if time permits. Look for subtle errors you might have missed initially.

By employing these strategies, you can enhance your performance and reduce test anxiety. Practice and continuous learning are key to mastering these skills for your GMAT preparation.