Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is/are an error…
2023
Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is/are an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, select ‘None of the above’.
This set of books are for sale.
Answer: C. are for sale. — ConceptIn subject–verb agreement, the finite verb agrees with the grammatical head of the subject phrase, not with the nearest noun. A prepositional phrase…
- A.
This set
- B.
of books
- C.
are for sale.
- D.
More than one of the above
- E.
None of the above
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In subject–verb agreement, the finite verb agrees with the grammatical head of the subject phrase, not with the nearest noun.
A prepositional phrase beginning with ‘of’ modifies the head noun; a plural noun inside that phrase does not normally determine the main verb.
Application
Identify the complete subject: ‘This set of books.’
Its head noun is ‘set.’ Both ‘This’ and ‘set’ are singular.
The words ‘of books’ form a prepositional phrase. Here ‘books’ is the object of ‘of,’ so it does not control the main verb.
The predicate uses the plural verb ‘are.’ A singular head requires ‘is,’ giving: ‘This set of books is for sale.’
Contrast and cross-check
‘This set’ combines a singular demonstrative with a singular head noun.
‘of books’ is a well-formed prepositional modifier of ‘set.’
‘are for sale’ contains the agreement mismatch between the plural verb and the singular subject head.
‘More than one of the above’ would require independent errors in at least two listed segments; this sentence has one agreement error.
‘None of the above’ would require every listed segment to be error-free; the verb-agreement mismatch remains.
Therefore, ‘are for sale.’ is the erroneous part; replace ‘are’ with ‘is.’