Consider the following sentences: 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. Which of the above sentences are grammatically CORRECT? A. (i) and (ii) B. (i) and (iii) C. (ii) and (iii) D. (ii) and (iv)

GATE 2021 · General Aptitude · Grammatical Error · medium

Answer: Option A — sentences (i) and (ii) — are grammatically correct.

1. Apply the rule for 'the number of': Sentence (i): 'The number of candidates who appear ... is staggering.' — Subject is 'the number' (singular) => verb 'is' is correct. Sentence (iii): 'The number of candidates who appear ... are staggering.' — Same subject 'the number' (singular) but verb 'are' (plural) is wrong. (i) correct, (iii) wrong.
2. Apply the rule for 'a number of': Sentence (ii): 'A number of candidates from my class are appearing ...' — 'A number of candidates' = 'many candidates' => plural verb 'are' is correct. Sentence (iv): 'A number of candidates from my class is appearing ...' — 'a number of candidates' requires plural 'are', not singular 'is'. (ii) correct, (iv) wrong.
3. Identify the correct option: Correct sentences: (i) and (ii) => Option A.