CSEET · Business Communication · Essentials of Good English
Choose the correct completion: 'The number of complaints received this month ______ declined, though a number of customers ______ still waiting for refunds.'
The correct pair is 'has; are'. 'The number of' refers to a single count and takes a singular verb, while 'a number of' means several and takes a plural verb. So the sentence reads 'has declined' and 'are still waiting'.
- Ahas; areCorrect
- Bhave; is
- Chas; is
- Dhave; are
Explanation
'The number of' takes a singular verb, so 'has declined'. 'A number of' means 'several' and takes a plural verb, so 'are waiting'. Hence 'has; are' is correct. The other pairs reverse or misapply one of these rules.
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