Examkin

Soru

Zorluk: ZorSubject-Verb Agreement (Concord)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence below in accordance with the rules of subject-verb agreement:

"Every one of the senior researchers, notwithstanding the conflicting reports published by external auditors, _______ that the project outcomes remain valid."

  1. maintainsCevap
  2. B
    maintain
  3. C
    have maintained
  4. D
    are maintaining

Cevap

maintains
The head of the subject is the indefinite pronoun phrase headed by 'Every one', which is grammatically singular. Intervening plural nouns within prepositional phrases ('of the senior researchers') or concessive adjuncts ('notwithstanding the conflicting reports...') do not alter the singular status of the subject head. Consequently, the singular verb 'maintains' is required.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the head of the subject phrase
The subject head is 'Every one', which is a singular indefinite pronoun structure.
In English concord, modifying prepositional phrases such as 'of the senior researchers' do not alter the grammatical number of the head noun or pronoun.
2
Analyze intervening phrases and parenthetical clauses
The clause 'notwithstanding the conflicting reports published by external auditors' is a concessive prepositional adjunct and does not alter the singular agreement requirement.
Intervening plural nouns ('researchers', 'reports', 'auditors') frequently trigger proximity errors, but the verb must strictly agree with the true head subject.
3
Select the verb form matching third-person singular
'maintains' is the correct third-person singular present verb form.
A singular subject requires a singular verb ending in '-s' in the simple present tense.

Anahtar Kavram

Indefinite Pronoun Concord and Error of Proximity
Bu soruyu puanla

Konular

Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord)

Bu konudan daha fazla soru