Standard English ConventionsMediumSubject-verb agreement with 'a number of'
Standard English Conventions practice question
A number of the letters in the archive ____ still unread.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. areCorrect
- B. is
- C. was
- D. has been
Answer: A. are
'A number of' means 'several', and takes a plural verb: 'a number of the letters are'.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. is
- 'Is' would suit 'the number of letters is', a different construction.
- C. was
- 'Was' is singular.
- D. has been
- 'Has been' is singular.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Maya trained for … - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The three ____ un… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The first experim… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Marie Curie, ____… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? On weekends, Priy… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The list of appro…
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.