Foundation
English
Sentences
Sentences
Tenses
Question
Fill in the blank with the correct present tense verb with the help of the hint in the brackets:
The Committee _____ divided on who will be their new leader. (individual members) [Advanced]
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Solution
The basic rule of Subject-Verb agreement is that a singular subject takes a singular verb while a plural subject takes a plural verb. The verb must always agree with the subject of a sentence.
Option C is correct. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as one whole; plural verb when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of. In the given sentence, the Committee is thought of as consisting of individual members (as indicated in the brackets). Thus, it requires a plural verb, namely, "are".
Options A and B are incorrect. In A, "is" is a singular verb; there is no subject-verb agreement. In B, "was" is a past tense verb. The question requires a present tense verb. Moreover, it is singular, not plural.
Option D is incorrect as the answer lies in C.