MGMAT says
Quote:
“So if I had this option "That school's students, who have been sick, are feeling better" then I'd prefer to say it that way so I can have students right next to who. But if I didn't have such an option, then it would be okay to say "the students at that school, who have been sick, are feeling better" because I need to specify that I'm not talking about random students in general but specifically "students at that school" - this entire noun phrase describes the specific students I want to discuss.”
The above quote explains that the exception is accepted when the most right theoretical choice is not available, but not when a rock solid copy book case is there in front .
Quote:
Biologists believe that they have found one of the substances that tell individual genes both when to become active and when to remain quiescent in the earliest phases of an embryo's development.
(A) tell individual genes both when to become active and when to remain
(B) tell individual genes both at which time they should become active and should remain
(C) tells individual genes both when to become active and when to remain
(D) tells individual genes both when to activate and when to
(E) tell an individual gene both about when it should become active and when it should remain
I would accept the exception to the touch rule if there existed no choice with the verb '
tell'; There are at least three choices that follow the classic touch rule and therefore it will be prudent to choose among them. Simply a logical case to go after the exception doesn’t exist in the given case IMO
2. @ hellishbrain: Let us compare your example of daagh
daagh is the only one of GMATClubbers who answers the questions. ( your sentence)
daagh is one of GMATClubbers who answers the questions. – ( another sentence) Now which verb is correct?
" Answer or answers"? You can’t still stick on to the verb
‘answers” Am I right?
In your sentence the use of the phrase ‘the only one’, that includes a definitive article ‘the’ makes all the difference between the meanings of the two.
Let us not delve into Bob’s versions at the moment, as they relate to a different context.
The issue of the object of the preposition deciding the nature of the verb, mostly arises in the case of the SANAM pronouns(
Some, all, none, any, and most) and the pronoun
“one´ is not among them. I wonder whether any
OG or GPREP question has ever tested the validity of such a ticklish issue given the aversion of GMAT to indulge in controversies.
But the take away according to me should be ”
Do not rush to use an exception without a need for it” ; The risk in overusing an exception is that one day the exception will become the rule and the rule an exception.
PS:Will my readers pardon me for such a lengthy essay?