16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumAgreement with 'one of the'

Standard English Conventions practice question

One of the paintings in the east wing ____ missing from the gallery.

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', which is singular. 'of the paintings in the east wing' describes which one, but the verb agrees with 'one': 'is'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. are
'are' agrees with 'paintings', but 'paintings' is inside a prepositional phrase. Only ONE painting is missing.
C. were
'were' is plural and past. The subject is singular and nothing calls for the past.
D. have been
'have been' is plural. The singular subject 'one' would need 'has been' — and 'is' fits best.

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