16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasySubject-verb agreement with 'one of the'

Standard English Conventions practice question

One of the paintings in the exhibition ____ on loan from a private collector.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. isCorrect
  2. B. are
  3. C. were
  4. D. have been

Answer: A. is

The subject is 'One', singular; 'of the paintings' only describes it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. are
'Are' agrees with 'paintings', not with 'One'.
C. were
'Were' is plural.
D. have been
'Have been' is plural.

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