Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumSubject-verb agreement across an intervening phrase
Standard English Conventions practice question
The paintings in the east gallery ____ restored by a team of conservators last year.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. wereCorrect
- B. was
- C. is
- D. has been
Answer: A. were
The subject is 'paintings', which is plural, and 'last year' puts the action in the past. The plural past-tense verb is 'were'. The phrase 'in the east gallery' describes the paintings but doesn't change the subject.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. was
- 'was' agrees with 'gallery', but the gallery isn't the subject — it's inside the phrase 'in the east gallery'. The paintings were restored.
- C. is
- 'is' is singular and present tense, and the subject is plural with a past time marker.
- D. has been
- 'has been' is singular. The plural subject 'paintings' would need 'have been', and 'were' fits 'last year' more naturally.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
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