Consider the following sentences:(i) The number of candidates who appe...
Answer:
Of the four given sentences, only sentences (i) and (ii) are grammatically correct. Let's analyze each sentence individually:
(i) The number of candidates who appear for the GATE examination is staggering.
(ii) A number of candidates from my class are appearing for the GATE examination.
(iii) The number of candidates who appear for the GATE examination are staggering.
(iv) A number of candidates from my class is appearing for the GATE examination.
(i) The number of candidates who appear for the GATE examination is staggering.
In this sentence, the subject is "the number of candidates". Here, "the number" is a singular noun phrase, so the verb "is" is used. The phrase "who appear for the GATE examination" is a relative clause modifying "candidates". Since the subject agrees with the verb, this sentence is grammatically correct.
(ii) A number of candidates from my class are appearing for the GATE examination.
In this sentence, the subject is "a number of candidates". Here, "a number" is a plural noun phrase, so the verb "are" is used. The phrase "from my class" is a prepositional phrase modifying "candidates". Since the subject agrees with the verb, this sentence is grammatically correct.
(iii) The number of candidates who appear for the GATE examination are staggering.
In this sentence, the subject is "the number of candidates". As explained earlier, "the number" is a singular noun phrase, so the verb "are" used here is incorrect. The correct verb should be "is" to agree with the subject. Therefore, this sentence is grammatically incorrect.
(iv) A number of candidates from my class is appearing for the GATE examination.
In this sentence, the subject is "a number of candidates". As explained earlier, "a number" is a plural noun phrase, so the verb "is" used here is incorrect. The correct verb should be "are" to agree with the subject. Therefore, this sentence is grammatically incorrect.
Therefore, only sentences (i) and (ii) are grammatically correct.
In summary:
- Sentence (i) is correct because the singular subject agrees with the verb "is".
- Sentence (ii) is correct because the plural subject agrees with the verb "are".
- Sentence (iii) is incorrect because the singular subject does not agree with the verb "are".
- Sentence (iv) is incorrect because the plural subject does not agree with the verb "is".
Consider the following sentences:(i) The number of candidates who appe...
Key Points:
(i) 'The no of' is singular and takes singular verb. Thus, 'the number of candidates is staggering' is correct.
(ii) Similarly, 'A no of' is plural and takes plural verb. Thus, 'a number of candidates are staggering' is correct.
(iii) Thus, both the statement i and ii is correct.