Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Regional distributors who have the flexibility to adjust their supply lines, or pass on any surge in freight tariffs to retail partners, are likely to maintaining or even expand their operating revenue.
Correct Answer :
are likely to maintain or even expand their operating revenue
Solution :
The correct option is are likely to maintain or even expand their operating revenue.
Explanation:
1. Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject of the main clause is "Regional distributors", which is a plural noun phrase. Thus, it requires the plural auxiliary verb are. The option using "is" is subject-verb agreement incorrect.
2. Infinitive Verb Form: The construction "likely to" requires the base form of the verb (the bare infinitive). The underlined segment uses "maintaining", which is a present participle. The correct base verb form is maintain.
3. Parallel Structure: The conjunction "or" links two actions following the infinitive marker "to": "to maintain or even expand". Both verbs must remain in their base/infinitive forms to preserve parallel structure. Options using "maintains" or "expands" violate parallelism.
Thus, substituting the underlined segment with "are likely to maintain or even expand their operating revenue" makes the sentence grammatically accurate.
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