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Question

Difficulty: HardSubject-Verb Agreement (Concord)

The lead strategist is one of those experienced diplomats who _______ that regional peace talks must precede economic sanctions. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence?

  1. A
    insists
  2. insistAnswer
  3. C
    has insisted
  4. D
    is insisting

Answer

The correct option is 'insist'.
The verb in the blank belongs to the relative clause introduced by 'who'. The relative pronoun 'who' refers back to its antecedent 'experienced diplomats', which is plural. Therefore, the relative clause requires the plural verb 'insist'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head noun of the relative clause.
The relative pronoun 'who' refers directly to the plural antecedent 'experienced diplomats', not 'one'.
In the structural construction 'one of those [plural noun] who...', the relative clause modifies the plural noun that immediately precedes 'who'.
2
Apply the rule of relative pronoun agreement.
Since 'experienced diplomats' is plural, the relative pronoun 'who' takes a plural verb.
Verbs in relative clauses must agree in number with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.
3
Select the correct plural present-tense verb form.
'insist' is chosen over singular options like 'insists', 'has insisted', or 'is insisting'.
Plural subjects take base verb forms without an '-s' suffix in the simple present tense.

Key Concept

Relative Clause Concord with 'One of the [Plural Noun] Who'
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord)

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