16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumAgreement with 'the number of'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The number of boats moored in the harbour ____ every summer.

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

  1. A. doublesCorrect
  2. B. double
  3. C. are doubling
  4. D. have doubled

Answer: A. doubles

'The number of' is singular: 'the number … doubles'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. double
'Double' is plural.
C. are doubling
'Are doubling' is plural.
D. have doubled
'Have doubled' is plural.

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